Google is probably the reason I was hesitant to use wikis. Google is very user friendly, and through our district Google mail, sites, documents, and calendars we can have more privacy, which is often important when collaborating with students. During the summer of 2008 when our district began Google mail, I began to "play" with Google using my personal gmail account. When school opened I was ready with websites and documents. It is now 2011 and I am still trying to have staff (administrators and teachers) buy into using Google anything; most are still stuck on Google mail, and even that is used ineffectively.
The biggest drawback for Google is using the discussion tool on Google sites, which is not user friendly. So, when Google groups was set up for our district in the summer of 2010 I was excited and established a few groups. Now we have to ask permission, and from my experience it takes too long. When all else fails, use the regular gmail, where there are no restrictions.
Collaboration via Google docs appears to be a great tool. I have attempted to use the tool with several groups, with little success. I think people are afraid, perhaps of losing information? I upload everything to do with my professional obligations to Google. I ask students, both adult and adolescent learners to use Google, but many resist. One problem I have encountered using Google within the district is that when I invite non district persons to collaborate, even with permission, it never seems to work. This is where wikis or personal Google would work better.
If I were to pick the winner for collaboration tools, I have a difficult choice. Google is simple and I have used it so frequently it is second nature. However, wikis are easier to access when outside the network, and the collaboration and discussion tools appear to be more utilitarian.
I know what you mean about staff reluctance to use Google options. I had to switch our school Blackboard site to a Google site. It has a lot of good information on it if only staff would use it. I truly believe that that it is easier to get staff members to use the technology if the school administration is heavy on technology use -- that way it is more integrated into our professional lives. Perhaps we need to target more technology training towards our ever-so-busy admin staff or come up with a better way to train our staff who are so busy with all of the other mandates. I continue to use and demonstrate all that Google can do but it is sometimes an uphill battle. My secret weapon is to teach the children --- then the staff invariably follow once they see the cool things that the students are doing!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. We have 6 administrators and none are technologically inclined. Each year we take a few small steps, and with budget cuts it does not help. The PD for staff is always conducted like speed dating. With the high school tech refresh I hope things improve. This year the school is finally using Google calendar. Hurray.
ReplyDeleteI have used Google docs to access information provided to me and have even shared one document, but, for me wikis appear to be easier to use in my classroom. Now, I say appear because I have not actually used either in my classroom in the past. I am hoping that after hear everyone's opinion, I am able to take the technology back to my classroom.
ReplyDeleteI understand your frustrations with teachers using Google Docs. People barely check their email like they are supposed to. It was not until the T3 came to our school to do a PD and the teachers started to get into Google Docs. Of course, you still have those few who just do not gravitate to technology, but you just have to give them time and a little encouragement. Thanks for mentioning the discussion piece in Google Docs. I did not know that it was there. I must have overlooked it.
ReplyDeleteYes! Google is simple to use, I stuggled a little with wiki. When I was introduced to google docs the tutorial was made simple and easy to understand especially if you have already been dealing with gmail. But, I agree most employees and students just can't seem to get used to delving further than they can. Some appear to be afraid or lazy to use technology for what it suppose to be for. Funny how Google calendar was used alot in our building alot of staff still couldn't figure out how to access it.
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