Teaching Tip - Quick and Easy Ways to Use Google Documents for Collaborative Undergraduate Research Endeavors

Readers,

Good morning! Over the past year and a half, I have become a major proponent of Google Documents! This free, online software has changed the way that I teach class an also it has enhanced the way that I distribute information on Blackboard. For example, I create Google Documents for each of the five undergraduate research groups in my class. I am able to monitor their progress along the way and I am able to leave comments for the group members when they are not present on the document. 


During the time in which I integrated Google Documents in my online and face-to-face classes, the online software has greatly increased the amount of features that are available to users. For example, now I am able to leave a comment on a group research document and the students are able to address the comment by modifying the document (and marking the comment "resolved"). When a comment is "resolved", I receive an e-mail informing me that this section of the document has been addressed. 


I am very thankful that Google has enabled the Google Documents app to remain free (at least for the current time), because some of my students are not able to afford the MS Word software suite and most of them work half or full-time and are unable to meet with their group members outside of work. Google Documents enables these students to "meet" with their group members on the document anytime. I have seen some students "meet" at 3:00 a.m. in the morning!

Here is one of my recent videos on Google Documents for my students.

Enjoy!

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

ALA/ACRL Conference Recap/Thank You EBSS!!!

Readers,


Today, I just arrived back from the ACRL/ALA conference in New Orleans, LA and I am THANKFUL to the Education and Behavioral Sciences Section (especially Dr. Vanessa Earp) for inviting me to speak for one of their sessions! I had a great time delivering the presentation and I received a wealth of questions and great feedback after the presentation. Click here for my presentation: LINK


Not surprisingly, my presentation and my millennial approach was very different from my counterpart, Dr. Gene Roche, Director of Academic Information from  College of William and Mary. He presented an alternate perspective of the millennial college student and he incorporated research focused on the mental processes of college students. Then he posed a question focused on whether or not colleges and universities should appeal to millennial college students' wants, needs, and learning styles OR should millennials adapt to the college environment.


Here's my perspective, every organization changes at least one aspect of their policies, procedures, or processes to attract future members/employees and to retain current members/employees. Higher education institutions are no different, they have to adapt as well. New recruitment methods, new services and programs, and new (revised) teaching methods are essential if these organizations wish to remain relevant for the current and future student/faculty/staff populations.


As a result, Dr. Roche and I complemented each other's presentations by presenting a vastly different point of view focused on millennial college students. Thank you ACRL Education and Behavioral Sciences Section (especially Dr. Vanessa Earp) for this wonderful opportunity!


Sincerely,


Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

Freebie Friday - $2.00 off of a Post-It Tab Purchase of $3.00 or More

Readers,

Today's Freebie for Friday is a coupon for Post-It Tabs and Labels. I use these on a daily basis and I have a stash of these great organizational tools at home and work! Click here for your coupon - http://www.3m.com/us/office/postit/promos/201101_mo/67197_Coupon.pdf.

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

Teaching Tip - Using Wikis (and Google Docs) in Online and Face-to-Face Classrooms

The Pre-Wiki Time Period...

Readers,


I hope all of you are having a wonderful morning! Over the summer, I have been reading different blogs and tweets related to technology and teaching undergraduate students. I have been writing several of these ideas for the fall semester in my Levenger notebook (a really neat organizational tool).


Here's a wiki focused on wikis in higher education! - https://sites.google.com/site/wikisinhighered/


Recently, I discovered an older blog post related to wikis and their use in the educational setting (K-12 and higher education). This post from 2008 is still relevant in 2011 and it has some great ideas for education professionals! 


My favorite tips from the list:


1. Student Portfolios


2. Fan Clubs


3. Literature Circles


4. Classroom FAQ


5. Make Website Creation Easier for Stuents


Here's the link to the list - 50 Ways to Use Wikis for a More Collaborative and Interactive Classroom


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41