Nov. 16 - Google Docs reflections

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASeRMCiFPMleZGdzbXN6aGNfMmRyajZnOGQ3&hl=en

I think Google Docs might be helpful in collecting data for teaching statistics. I could post various survey questions on a Google Doc, and kids could go to the post, and edit it to include their responses. That would be a much faster way to collect the data, and it wouldn't take up any class time. It would be much more meaningful for students to have data about themselves, rather than boring data from the textbook.

I could also post a problem of the week (or month), and have kids go there and earn points for their participation. This would be a great way to incorporate some higher level thinking, that is not part of the curriculum, and doesn't take up any class time. I think that the best thing about Google Docs is that it allows learning to extend past the classroom walls, in a fun and meaningful way for the kids.

Google Docs is better than Microsoft Office because you can see an accumulation of student work on one single document, rather than having to look at 15-20 separate papers. Students also get a chance to learn from each other's comments, rather than just a teacher's comments. I think this could reduce a teacher's workload. If student's are practicing peer editing, I imagine that can sometimes be just as good, if not better, than teacher only feedback.