Dr. Romena Holbert from Wright State University shared clever uses of Google Suite tools in a recorded 2020 Lilly Conference session. I watched it twice! Holbert began with research on collaboration and used a Google Jamboard to start an asynchronous discussion with participants. I enjoyed the step-by-step demo of Jamboard because I haven’t used it much. Then, Holbert described a structured and intentional use of Google Docs to create groups. I like that all members can see the groups as they firm and share scheduling information. I also found the use of specific questions to prepare groups for collaborative work and conflict resolution really helpful: this is something I can see myself implementing as it aligns with community creation with transparency. Holbert then described a series of GoogleForms used to gain feedback during synchronous sessions and even after asynchronous modules. The examples included Likert scales and open-ended questions. This made me think about the scaffolded notes we’ve implemented in our course this spring as GoogleDocs and if it may be easier to do GoogleForms and share appropriate graphs with the class. I’ll keep this in mind as we are currently having students make a copy of a GoogleDoc, edit, and submit a link. The last tool and strategy described by Holbert was the use of GoogleDocs with prompts for breakout rooms during synchronous sessions. Much more than the prompts, the intentional and explicit instructions for breakout group work was inspiring. Holbert uses “index card” sized intro writing activities to have students reflect on their opinions and thoughts starting the lesson. During breakout sessions, students have roles that are clearly assigned based on the GoogleDocs they helped create. Rubrics are also co-created. Groups follow prompts and complete tasks. At the end of the session, individuals do a second “index card” length reflection they can share in the chat. Throughout the presentation, Holbert was clear and made the strategies easy to understand. I learned a couple of new uses of tools we commonly employ! Moreover, all the strategies included collaboration in forming groups, dealing with group work challenges, working synchronously in breakout rooms, writing/analyzing rubrics… I had not thought about using Forms to gain feedback and “hear” student voices during synchronous and asynchronous sessions! Also, Google tools are typically accessible and mobile-friendly.
