Working with Google Docs has definitely been a new experience for all of us. My students have slowly warmed up to the idea, but still prefer using Microsoft Office as to avoid the log-on process. However, we all just need to get over it because it's cheaper to work in the clouds and accessible to them at home if they themselves dont' have Microsoft Office! Below, I have written a few tips to help teachers using google docs for the first, second, third, or even fourth time not to go too crazy :)
Tip#1 Write this statement somewhere on your whiteboard:
Please check these things below before asking me to help you log-in...or else :)
(1) Press Fn + NumLK (this will turn numbers into letters and allow you to type normally)
(2) Do not use Caps Lock when trying to log-in for any reason (your password will not work)
(3) Use the Shift key to capitalize letters in your password (you must capitalize password letters)
If you choose to not follow this very essential tip, you will have twenty hands in the air at any given moment asking one of these three questions :)
Tip#2 Have students practice logging in and logging out multipe times for a warm-up assignment.
This will help get the process running smoothly by students logging on immediately vs. 15 minutes into the class period. It might be good to do this warm-up two days in a row. It's pretty surprising how difficult for the students logging on to google docs can be, so prepare and set aside time to practice, practice, practice!
Tip#3 Have students save files from Google Docs into their Norway student file as back-up.
To do this click "File" (within the google docs, not the Internet Explorere "File"), click "Download As", click whatever format you want the file to be downloaded as (their will be a list), Click "Save", Click the pull-down tab to find norway, Click "Norway", Click graduation year, Click student folder, Click SS Portfolio (or whatever portfolio your class is using), Click "Save, and you're done!
That's all she wrote!
Until next time,
Mrs. Williams
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That "log in" Warm Up idea is GOLDEN!! My students have been using Ning, G-mail, and, for the first time today, Google Docs...and the logging is driving me bonkers :) I gave a very stern lecture today regarding the issue of being careless about typing in passwords and being there own problem solvers when passwords do not work. It literally takes, on average, 15 mins. to get everyone on. I know this being "new" is is a big factor, but the students need to step up to the plate and take some ownership/responsibility for their typing keystrokes.
ReplyDeleteGood tips Mrs. Williams!!