Week 29 - Using Social Online Networks in Teaching or Professional Development
Jay and Johnson (2002) reflective model
Step 1 (Descriptive stage): Call me old school but I am slowly changing in order to use a more modern (social
media) style of teaching. As we know the world is changing so fast around us and to prepare our learners for
the future, I have had to step out of my comfort zone and teach using unfamiliar tools. My learners are using
google docs to type up their stories, record notes from inquiry and collaborate ideas with their peers. Google
docs allows my learners to share their work with me and I can even give feedback and feed-forward while
they are still working online. My learners definitely like using google docs more than their book and pencil,
but if I was to reflect on the outcome of work that is produced, most of my learners struggle to produce
quality work on google docs. I cannot give my learners a new tool to use and expect them to know how to
use it.
media) style of teaching. As we know the world is changing so fast around us and to prepare our learners for
the future, I have had to step out of my comfort zone and teach using unfamiliar tools. My learners are using
google docs to type up their stories, record notes from inquiry and collaborate ideas with their peers. Google
docs allows my learners to share their work with me and I can even give feedback and feed-forward while
they are still working online. My learners definitely like using google docs more than their book and pencil,
but if I was to reflect on the outcome of work that is produced, most of my learners struggle to produce
quality work on google docs. I cannot give my learners a new tool to use and expect them to know how to
use it.
Step 2 (Comparative stage): More and more classroom teachers are using Google docs in their classroom.
When I shared my innovation to start using Google docs with an older class, colleagues in my Mindlab class
made comment that they were surprised we weren’t already using it, knowing that we had Chromebooks
in our classrooms.
When I shared my innovation to start using Google docs with an older class, colleagues in my Mindlab class
made comment that they were surprised we weren’t already using it, knowing that we had Chromebooks
in our classrooms.
A recent teacher post by Keith Hamon, (January 25, 2017), talked about one of the advantages in using
Google Docs is its sharing feature. Students share their documents at the beginning of the writing process
so the teacher is able to follow all steps along the way. Work is saved all the time even when changes are
made. Teachers have the access to see the changes which keeps them in the loop of their students learning.
Google Docs is its sharing feature. Students share their documents at the beginning of the writing process
so the teacher is able to follow all steps along the way. Work is saved all the time even when changes are
made. Teachers have the access to see the changes which keeps them in the loop of their students learning.
For my students to be confident with using Google docs, I had to create and allow authentic opportunities
to take place in the classroom during their time on the devices. This included typing programmes and
collaborate activities online.
to take place in the classroom during their time on the devices. This included typing programmes and
collaborate activities online.
Step 3 (critical reflection): Like everything, there are pros and cons. Even though I personally don’t use
social media, my school was changing its use of social media and I had to keep up with it. We first started
using Google docs for school planning, some teachers found the sharing of their work very hard, where
others found it useful and the collaborative opportunities were a bonus.
social media, my school was changing its use of social media and I had to keep up with it. We first started
using Google docs for school planning, some teachers found the sharing of their work very hard, where
others found it useful and the collaborative opportunities were a bonus.
I don’t have the best programme in place for my students yet, in order to use Google docs, for I am still
learning myself the features of Google. However, I believe starting our young learners to use google apps,
such as google docs, slides, blogger, drive, calendar and so forth will build their confidence as digital users
moving up in their school years.
learning myself the features of Google. However, I believe starting our young learners to use google apps,
such as google docs, slides, blogger, drive, calendar and so forth will build their confidence as digital users
moving up in their school years.
References:
Anderson, M. (2013, September). Teacher Confidence In Using Technology. Retrieved from
https://ictevangelist.com/teacher-confidence-using-technology/
https://ictevangelist.com/teacher-confidence-using-technology/
Hamon, K. (2017). Teaching Writing with Google Docs. Retrieved from
https://www.fractuslearning.com/teaching-writing-google-docs/
https://www.fractuslearning.com/teaching-writing-google-docs/
Jay, J.K. and Johnson, K.L. (2002). Capturing complexity: a typology of reflective practice for teacher
education. Teaching and Teacher Education, 18, 73-85.
education. Teaching and Teacher Education, 18, 73-85.
MoE. (2014). Leadership and the key competencies. Retrieved from
http://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/Key-competencies/To…
http://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/Key-competencies/To…
Walsh, K. (2010). Google Docs: Why Teachers and Students Should Be Using Them. Retrieved from
https://www.emergingedtech.com/2010/11/google-docs-why-teachers-and-students-should-be-using-
them-for-course-work/
https://www.emergingedtech.com/2010/11/google-docs-why-teachers-and-students-should-be-using-
them-for-course-work/
Website: VLN - Virtual Learning Network
Wessling, S. (2012). Teaching Channel Getting Better Together - Google Docs in the Classroom. Retrieved from
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/fostering-student-collaboration
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/fostering-student-collaboration
YouTube Channel: Google (August 5, 2008). Teachers and Principals talk about Google Docs. Retrieved from
http://www.crlt.umich.edu/olws/2/docs
http://www.crlt.umich.edu/olws/2/docs
