My Question

Here is my question:

How will the move toward going paperless change my classroom environment and impact my students’ writing, particularly through the use of Google Docs?


Here is my plan of execution:

Recently I’ve had a couple of dreams where I panic because class is about to start and I discover that there is no chalk in my classroom. We now have to requisition supplies from our office and have them delivered and the dream has me in dread of appearing to be unprepared in front of my students!

I plan to become familiar with Google Docs and use its many tools with my students including the creation of documents to share, having students create and share all of their assignments through GoogleDocs, and using the Forms and Presentation features. A colleague has done this very successfully for a couple of years and claims that the lost work, broken printer and other excuses have all gone away. All of our students now have Netbooks and our paper and printer supplies budgets have of course been cut. Going paperless makes sense in 2010 and beyond.

My son and I set up accounts on Google Docs and wrote down directions for creating accounts.
I have watched YouTube tutorials about Google Docs.
I have received some support from colleagues in how Google Docs works, but have not had enough time to work with it and begin to feel comfortable. I hate to keep asking the same questions!
I will start to create documents which I plan to share with students on GoogleDocs.


Here is what I need for help at our next meeting (coaches, next meeting, etc.)

I need to learn how to use this tool effectively and some ways to make it work with all of my students from those with special needs to my Honors Challenge students. Before our next meeting I hope that all of my students will have accounts and will start becoming familiar with creating and sharing documents. I need someone to help me to organize my five classes (85 students total) and assignments in each of our standards: Writing, Reading/Interpretation of Literature, Presentation, Research and Behaviors That Support Learning.