Wikis, Googledocs an More>>>

In the past 2 years I have used Google docs on a few occasions. It has been a great tool for sharing and editing of student contracts, idea sharing, and creating lists for brainstorming. My experience has been positive, but very minimal. This week I have learned how to create different forms and surveys. I have already implemented this into my classroom by getting student feedback on different educational topics. I find these tools very useful and easy to use once you get the hang of it. The feedback is very easy to follow and formats are great for presentations. I will continue to use my newly found expansion of the Google docs.

Wikis and Google Docs are a great way of collaboration. Teachers can maintain a “work in progress” and continue to brainstorm from, the office, home or even on vacation. I have and will use wikis for my professional development in many ways. Sharing information is the first thing that comes to mind. This can be done with a group at your school; or it can be done on a much wider scale in sharing more general ideas. Secondly using them for research to find out what is going on in the world. What are the resent trends? I can also add some ideas that have been working for me. Lastly they can be used to brainstorm very similar to the way we have in our Technology for Collaboration class. It is just another tool to contribute to our teaching and professional development.

I have found some of the following Wikis very useful for me and my teaching:

http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/Articles+and+Resources – This wiki has many tutorials, articles, podcasts and discussions. This is good general starting point for teachers.

http://learninginmaineresources.wikispaces.com/Alternative+Education – This wiki is full of links to lessons, websites and ideas in alternative education.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Main_Page - this wiki is a collection of textbooks and materials that cover all corners of the educational spectrum.

All of this technology is very new to me. It can be confusing, but also very empowering to find all of this information at my professional fingertips. I will continue to explore and share more as I find