Wicked Problem Project

I had two problems that I was trying to solve.  First, I wanted students to be able to work collaboratively and paperlessly.  Second, I wanted teachers to become more organized, so they can focus on teaching and not on finding papers or assignments.

My solution for both of these problems could be solved using Google applications.  Specifically, Google Docs, Presentations, and Forms.  

Google apps is a great choice for technology because everything is stored online.  Students and teachers alike will no longer have to search for that elusive flash drive or worksheet.  Students can work at their own pace on various assignments which is different for most teachers.  Sometimes students were "left behind" because they didn't understand a concept. The technology will change the way I can present information to students which should help them be more successful.  

For technology and content, I think using Google apps will be brilliant.  Presentations could be made with voiceovers and videos, so students will have options on how they receive information.  Perhaps one student wants to listen to a podcast, while another wants to read the information.  They'll have this choice because as the teacher, I will be able to create presentations that can link to separate options.

Finally, for pedagogy and content, I think Google can help me do a lot more one on one interactions in the class.  Since students will be able to work at their own pace and get more help if needed, they will be more successful.  The content will be able to be presented in various ways, and students could view things that, maybe, my school doesn't have access to, like specimen for dissecting.  Students could still experience a dissection even though I don't have the proper supplies.  Abstract concepts could be presented in three-dimensional videos (the way they should be), so students could visualize.  I could also use Google apps to create vocabulary flash cards or presentations that could be used by students as well.  My classroom will be more organized if I used forms to organize assignments, so I'd have more time to work with individual students.

My students would get feedback more quickly, so they wouldn't have to wait days (days when they're probably forgetting what they learned) to get help if they're struggling.  When I'm more organized, I can give that individual time that they need or the explanation they may need help with or the demonstration of a concept which helps my students learn and retain more.  They love to work on the computers, so I feel as though I'd have a more positive learning atmosphere, and happier students, and when students are happy, they learn more!

Part C Implementation

Implementation

https://www.msu.edu/~heintzju/Part_C_Implementation.mp3

Part D-Findings and Implications

Formative: Did the project get implemented as planned?
We started out thinking that doing Google tutorial wouldn't give us enough information to fill ten minutes, but as we worked on the project, I thought we could possibly go longer than that time frame.  In order to create a good tutorial, we had to go into detail which took up some time.

Summative: Evidence of success in addressing the problem of practice
Our project was dealing with Google documents, so using a Google doc/presentation to complete the project seemed only logical.  I think the tutorial did a good job of teaching someone who had no idea how to use the documents feature of Google.


How would you approach another project of this type differently given what you’ve learned here?

A good tutorial needs to have a little more video.  When I view a tutorial, I'm following step by step the instructions in order to check that I'm doing everything correctly.  I'd like to do another project like this where I can teach other teachers or perhaps students how to do something for class.  For example, I've been thinking about making a tutorial for my students to create their own learning blogs (using Weebly, which is what I use for my class site).  In order to help students, it would have to be very straightforward and simple enough that they could follow instructions without me around.  I'd also like it to be something that they could refer to often if they were struggling.  


What are the lessons learned that others might benefit from knowing about?

Google really is awesome!  Even as I was investigating the very generic presentation we did on Google docs, I found so many other things.  For example, I had no idea you could change your parameters in a search to include specific types of sites.  I also learned that in Google, I can create a specific search and use that to include only the sites I want my students to see.  Voicethread is awesome too, and it's even more awesome on the iPad.  When I tried to use my cursor to circle things and draw arrows, etc. on the computer, they weren't great, but then I discovered VT had a FREE app on the iPad and I was circling and drawing with precision just using my finger or a stylus.  It was really great.  Jing is a lot of fun as well, although when I tried to use it to record myself making the form, I learned that it didn't give me a file that could work with VT.


In what ways will you endeavor to do the same project again, and what will you change or not do?

I would do a project like this again; I'm on a mission to become a Google expert.  I think it's one of the few programs that we as teachers can feasibly expect to have access to any place.  It really contributes to the "anywhere, anytime" learning initiative.  Many other programs that we use are great as well, but they're not necessarily as accessible as Google.  I'd like to find a program that is more a combination of Jing and Voicethread because it would allow me to talk over a video (instead of just pictures or slides); and of course, I'd like it to be free.  Maybe there is one, but I haven't discovered it yet.