From Flash Cards to Book Clubs, Google Docs Are a Great Asset for Activities

There is no doubt that Google Docs is revolutionizing classrooms. This centralized platform of creation and collaboration makes group projects and teacher feedback easier. It also streamlines parent-teacher communication, making it easier to keep busy parents informed of their child's progress. Perhaps you have already integrated Google Docs and need ideas, or maybe it’s time to make use of this extraordinary tool. No matter where you are with the totally integrated paperless classroom, here are 25 hacks to start you off on your Google Docs journey.

Imagine a school so great that children pop out of bed begging to go there. A school that fully engages its students, who excel in every subject because they’re having fun. A school where the final bell of the day makes the students sad, because they have to leave. 

The feelings I just described are what children experience when they play a great video game. They are excited to play the game, they have a great time working through the puzzles and challenges, and they are sad when mom says, “Dinner is ready! Game time is over!” As a former video game fanatic, I like to use this metaphor to explain why student engagement should take priority over high stakes testing in the classroom.

10 Fun Ways to Use Your Student Response System

Using student response systems like the MimioVote™ assessment, or using assessment strategies with the MimioMobile™ app, practically guarantees that every student will participate in the learning process and remain accountable. Engaging students with questions throughout a lesson not only holds their attention; it also lets the teacher gather valuable student information and data. But just as with any new device in the classroom, it’s important to “start small” and find fun ways to naturally integrate assessment technology into your lessons. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

How One School District Found Affordable Classroom Technology with Mimio

The largest district in the state of Montana, Billings Public Schools (BPS), was first introduced to Mimio in 2001, after Technology Integration Specialist Desiree Caskey secured a $1,000 grant from Billings’ school foundation to outfit classrooms with interactive whiteboards. She began researching what solutions might work, but soon realized that the district couldn’t afford the usual fixed whiteboard models. With a bit more research, she found the MimioTeach interactive whiteboard. Since the MimioTeach system uses the dry erase boards already in the classroom – and the device can easily be moved from classroom to classroom – its price is much more affordable.

“The Mimio technology has become the basis for my lesson
preparation and has enhanced both the way I teach and the involvement of my students in their learning process.”
- Bill Baumann, Teacher

Understanding, Practice, Engagement, and a New Model of Assessment

Mobile devices allow for much more accessible, real-time formative assessment in schools. Teachers are finding that they can immediately assess how well their students are learning, and then adjust their teaching based on this feedback. With so many mobile devices already present in most classrooms, using them for assessment can also save on the cost of purchasing other types of assessment systems.

As Tech Specialist Lindy George notes, “District mobile devices…allow us to monitor student understanding of concepts to better inform instruction, and for formative assessment they have replaced the purchase of any type of ‘clicker’ system.”

While mobile devices are ideal for quickly checking student levels of understanding, there are other benefits to be gained from using them for assessment. We list the most popular ways to use them for assessment here.

Great Game Lessons 

Preparing your students for quizzes, tests, midterms, and finals – or just checking for their understanding – has never been more fun and engaging. We have made the classic games posted by our fellow users new and exciting with the latest Mimio tools and features. All you need to do is add in your questions and start playing!

Enjoy such favorites as:

• Whack a Mole
• Jeopardy
• Wheel of Fortune
• And more