Google Groups is a communication tool whose focus is on discussions. This tool is free all of the time and anonymous most of the time. The purpose of it is to allow users to find common interests among themselves and talk about them. People can participate in threaded conversations according to their interests that they find in common with others. Users can either create new groups or join old ones in order to communicate and discuss the topics they wish. The tool also allows for people to create a group and invite certain people in order to complete a task. They can use Google Groups to share Google Docs, send messages to other members, and post links and other files. Google Groups is an amazing communication and collaboration tool.
Advantages of the tool
provides quick communication between members
most groups are anonymous, so it's safe
allows people with common interests to communicate
not too hard to learn
focuses on discussions, which allows practice in debating
provides a way for teachers to keeps all the students together (in one group) if needed
when members join, they are immediately able to access discussions, documents, and other features
when members leave the group, their access to discussions, documents, and other features is immediately revoked
the tool is extremely organized
ADVANTAGES CONCERNING THE 3 E'SEfficiency:
provides for a quick way to communicate between members
provides an easy way to communicate between members
all the groups of every topic are at one place
if you can't find a group with a discussion you like, you can easily create a new group
communication is electronic
lets students/people discussing receive instant feedback from others
all information is in a single place, so students do not have to search everywhere to find what they need
Effectiveness:
students can follow teachers' discussions
students can follow other students' discussions
it allows the student to be the giver and the receiver of information
students are free to express their own opinions on matters while also commenting on others' opinions
teaches the children and the teacher more options about technology
Enhancement:
enhances ability to communicate with teachers
enhances ability to communicate with students
enhances opportunity to encourage creativity
enhances opportunity to learn more about technology
enhances opportunity to learn more about each other and discussion topics
Disadvantages (limitations) of the tool
even though most are anonymous, it's public, so it's not safe all the time
you have to learn how to use it
technology can be unreliable
there are many, many groups...so it may be hard to find the one you're looking for
since there are many groups, there's no guarantee that people will discuss on yours...so you may not get a lot of feedback
"spam" may be present, so it may be hard to tell what's real from what's not
Application of the tool in your subject area
MATH:Google groups would be a great way to let students get together to collaborate on homework and study for math tests. If they are stuck on a certain problem, they can post it as a discussion topic and other students can then put in their knowledge and post help. The teacher will set up the page, therefore being the group manager and overseeing the group. This way they can eliminate inappropriate posts, report spam, control membership, control access, and change the group appearance. The teacher will be the facilitator of the group. As members, the student will be posting and discussing. They can post google docs, links, add pages, and reply to other post. For the math content area, the students main purpose on the site will be to collaborate on homework and help eachother with challenging problems. The tool will also allow them to post information they found helpful for other students to see. Even though math is mainly done with paper and pencil, the Google Groups application is a great way to let students discuss and communicate about homework, tests, quizzes, and possible projects. The teacher can also post information about what is coming up in class.
Communication Tool: GOOGLE GROUPS
Group Members:Kate Schilling
Alicia Smith
Brief introduction of the tool
Google Groups is a communication tool whose focus is on discussions. This tool is free all of the time and anonymous most of the time. The purpose of it is to allow users to find common interests among themselves and talk about them. People can participate in threaded conversations according to their interests that they find in common with others. Users can either create new groups or join old ones in order to communicate and discuss the topics they wish. The tool also allows for people to create a group and invite certain people in order to complete a task. They can use Google Groups to share Google Docs, send messages to other members, and post links and other files. Google Groups is an amazing communication and collaboration tool.
- provides quick communication between members
- most groups are anonymous, so it's safe
- allows people with common interests to communicate
- not too hard to learn
- focuses on discussions, which allows practice in debating
- provides a way for teachers to keeps all the students together (in one group) if needed
- when members join, they are immediately able to access discussions, documents, and other features
- when members leave the group, their access to discussions, documents, and other features is immediately revoked
- the tool is extremely organized
- provides for a quick way to communicate between members
- provides an easy way to communicate between members
- all the groups of every topic are at one place
- if you can't find a group with a discussion you like, you can easily create a new group
- communication is electronic
- lets students/people discussing receive instant feedback from others
- all information is in a single place, so students do not have to search everywhere to find what they need
Effectiveness:Advantages of the tool
ADVANTAGES CONCERNING THE 3 E'S Efficiency:
- students can follow teachers' discussions
- students can follow other students' discussions
- it allows the student to be the giver and the receiver of information
- students are free to express their own opinions on matters while also commenting on others' opinions
- teaches the children and the teacher more options about technology
Enhancement:Disadvantages (limitations) of the tool
Application of the tool in your subject area
MATH:Google groups would be a great way to let students get together to collaborate on homework and study for math tests. If they are stuck on a certain problem, they can post it as a discussion topic and other students can then put in their knowledge and post help. The teacher will set up the page, therefore being the group manager and overseeing the group. This way they can eliminate inappropriate posts, report spam, control membership, control access, and change the group appearance. The teacher will be the facilitator of the group. As members, the student will be posting and discussing. They can post google docs, links, add pages, and reply to other post. For the math content area, the students main purpose on the site will be to collaborate on homework and help eachother with challenging problems. The tool will also allow them to post information they found helpful for other students to see. Even though math is mainly done with paper and pencil, the Google Groups application is a great way to let students discuss and communicate about homework, tests, quizzes, and possible projects. The teacher can also post information about what is coming up in class.
TUTORIAL
USEFUL RESOURCES
http://groups.google.com/support/?hl=enhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Groupshttp://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2009/12/google-groups-the-latest-to-jo.phphttp://www.howtodothings.com/computers-internet/use-google-groups