Google Chromebooks @ SFE

Kyle Wilson, M.A.T.Grade 4

Steere Farm Elementary

What is our class using?● 5 Lenovo X131e Chromebooks● 6 additional NComputing workstations● Classroom Google Account setup by Mr. Wilson● Each student has their own folder within Google Drive● Seamless sharing between my teacher account and their folders

Goals of the Program

● Streamlining the classroom management between two teachers that team teach

● Movement towards a blended classroom where we can leverage digital content and more effectively work with students and differentiate instruction

● To expose students to a more productive way of creating and collaborating

● Teaching the responsibility necessary to care for the equipment while becoming a good digital citizen

How are we using this technology in ELA?

● A reading group collaborated on a class chapter grid. They discussed the most important events to include. A new student each day would then enter their summary into a shared Google Doc.

● Many of our special education students were better able to display their growth as writers.

How are we using this technology in Math?

● Due to the increased engagement, there is added flexibility and focus in the groups I’m meeting with during this time.

● Our classroom website allows students to access our problems of the week at home and on any platform.

● The math students above are working through a word problem in groups that was posted online.

How are we using this technology in Science?

● Our teachers are displaying more data through Google Apps in order to more effectively meet their students’ needs.

● While actively working on the investigation, the kids would collect data and record it in a data table displayed in real time for each group to see.

Our discussions were more thoughtful when kids were using data to back up their ideas and opinions.

● At the same time, students in other groups referred back to their own data to offer their own conclusions.

Looking Towards Next Year

● These younger students demonstrated an eagerness to continue learning as much as they can about this new technology.

● Increase usage across all subjects

● Continued communication with parents concerning this tool’s use at home.

● Allowing students to track and input their own academic data

● Simply putting these tools into the hands of students more often.

● Throughout this process, it was clear that they understood how to use everything much quicker than I first anticipated. This turned out to be the biggest asset of all.