MLM EP4: Using Google Docs in the Classroom

Google Apps for Edu - Google in Education homepage.  Filled with classroom tools, professional development and student showcases.

Using the Research Tool in Google Docs video
Research Tool instructions by Google 

Google Self-Grading Quiz video
Using Google Forms to Create a Self-Grading Quiz

Google for Teachers e-book (by Freetech4teachers.com)

Related articles

• 40 Ways to Use Google Apps in Education
• Free Technology for Teachers: Read & Write - An Accessibility App for Google Docs
• Teacher's Guide on The Use of Google Sites in The Classroom

MLM EP3: Backchanneling Can Enrich Your Learning Experience

Backchanneling is the process of having an open form of online communication (Chatroom, Twitter Feed, telephone, telegraph or ??) for people to discuss an event while it is going.  This may be a football game, The State of the Union speech, the Rose Parade, or the Emmys.  However it's done, the idea is that people can share their ideas about what is going on while it is happening.

Imagine having a backchannel open while you are listening to a lecture about diversity or technology trends or teaching higher-order thinking skills. Imagine a lecture hall of 125 students reflecting on the ideas presented by their professors.

This backchanneling opportunity and other applications are shared in today's podcasts.

Links:

• Using Backchannels in Lectures - Dr. Z Reflects
• Backchanneling in Grade 1 - Living Avivaloca
• Backchannel Best Practices - ASTD

Tools:

• Coveritlive - Designed to enable backchannel moderation
• Today's Meet - Basic open chatroom. Simple to use.
• Tweetchat - Follow a Twitter discussion using hashtags.

How do YOU use backchanneling?  What strengths and weaknesses have you found in using it?

What insight can you provide?

Z & M

MLM EP2: Participant-Driven Professional Development

What if you went to a conference and the organizers asked you to provide the content for the sessions? What would you do?  Would this be a good or bad professional development experience?

Leigh recently attended EdCampIowa in Bettendorf, IA.  It was a great experience. Clif has had some similar PD experiences. This prompted our discussion of Participant-Driven Professional Development (PDPD). These are the links discussed in our 18-minute podcast:

Intro

• EdCamp - Organic, Participant-Driven Professional Development (PDPD)
• EdCamp Foundation
• Introduction to EdCamp - Edutopia 
• EdCamp Introductory Video - YouTube

Participant-Driven PD

• EdCampIowa in Bettendorf and Storm Lake, Iowa
• Check out the schedules in each of the links above.
• EduBlogger Con - Steve Hargedon

Upcoming EdCamps

• EdCamp Howard-Winn - March 16, 2013   Cresco, Iowa

Other Forms of PDPD

• Twitter Tweetups (Tweetvite.com)
• TeachMeet

Back Channel

• CoverItLive

What do you know about these events?  Please share your experiences in the comments below.

MLM EP1: Our Introductory Podcast

We are happy to begin our journey towards Making Learning Meaningful.  Together, we are hoping to explore how 21st Century Learning can bring more relevance to our learners.

We plan to have share many resources that we find as well as invite educators to join us for our time together. An important part of these podcasts will be to discuss online resources and we will provide them in these show notes.

Remember to follow us on Twitter with #MLMshow and visit this website.