Content Management Systems are used by many teachers everyday in their classrooms. I have reviewed three CMS options from the viewpoint of how they support assessment.
Please see my link to a Google Sheet that offers a framework to analyze different features of Edmodo, Moodle and Google Classroom. Based on this analysis, I have made a choice that Google Classroom is the best option for me within my role as a Physical Education and Health teacher at ASH. Here is a short description why.
After viewing my Review of CMS Options, it may surprise you to hear I have chosen Google Classroom as the best system based on my needs at this time. Although the other CMS’s that I researched offer more advanced options, Google Classroom is my choice based on 1. It’s ease of use
2. The fact that students at ASH are already used to this system within a number of their other classes
3. Due to the existing programs that are already in use within ASH e.g. grading system.
At this point, I am aiming to introduce more technology to firstly my own classes, but secondly I aim to help other members of the department integrate management systems in the future. Google Classroom is ultimately the simplest tool, however offers all key aspects needed by the department. In particular, the Assignment tool is an excellent feature. ASH is a “Google School” therefor the link between Drive and Classroom makes it my number one choice. Additionally, ASH offers a number of training courses and has Google Experts that are accessible to support the integration of any Google products for use in the classroom, including the use of the app for IPads. This control management system is not overwhelming, and I believe it is the next step for teachers I work with.
The two biggest downfalls of Google Classroom are a) no student portfolio and b) no grade book. My formative assessment plan has considered the use of portfolios within my classes. I believe these “Sportfolios”, as I call them, will be the best option for me given my plans for its implementation to support the use of formative assessment (e.g. additional reflection on work, use of blogs). Google Classroom links with drive so easily that students can use their work on the Sportfolio to link, or upload if required. The reason I am not concerned about the lack of a grade book is because we have compulsory system in place where grades are stored and managed. If this facility was available in Google Classroom, I do not believe it would be used, as this would double the work for nothing. Students and teachers operate the grade book program within ASH on a daily basis.
After completing this task, I have become more aware and open minded with regards to how to use Google Classroom, without it adding to my workload. I have an account, and have set up classes, but have not utilized its features in a meaningful way. This week, I plan to pilot the use of classroom and hope it makes my assessment procedure more organized and centralized.
Update
After experimenting with Google Classroom, I am happy with how it works for me. Find out more here, including screencasts on features I find particularly useful for me within Physical Education.
Please see my link to a Google Sheet that offers a framework to analyze different features of Edmodo, Moodle and Google Classroom. Based on this analysis, I have made a choice that Google Classroom is the best option for me within my role as a Physical Education and Health teacher at ASH. Here is a short description why.
After viewing my Review of CMS Options, it may surprise you to hear I have chosen Google Classroom as the best system based on my needs at this time. Although the other CMS’s that I researched offer more advanced options, Google Classroom is my choice based on 1. It’s ease of use
2. The fact that students at ASH are already used to this system within a number of their other classes
3. Due to the existing programs that are already in use within ASH e.g. grading system.
At this point, I am aiming to introduce more technology to firstly my own classes, but secondly I aim to help other members of the department integrate management systems in the future. Google Classroom is ultimately the simplest tool, however offers all key aspects needed by the department. In particular, the Assignment tool is an excellent feature. ASH is a “Google School” therefor the link between Drive and Classroom makes it my number one choice. Additionally, ASH offers a number of training courses and has Google Experts that are accessible to support the integration of any Google products for use in the classroom, including the use of the app for IPads. This control management system is not overwhelming, and I believe it is the next step for teachers I work with.
The two biggest downfalls of Google Classroom are a) no student portfolio and b) no grade book. My formative assessment plan has considered the use of portfolios within my classes. I believe these “Sportfolios”, as I call them, will be the best option for me given my plans for its implementation to support the use of formative assessment (e.g. additional reflection on work, use of blogs). Google Classroom links with drive so easily that students can use their work on the Sportfolio to link, or upload if required. The reason I am not concerned about the lack of a grade book is because we have compulsory system in place where grades are stored and managed. If this facility was available in Google Classroom, I do not believe it would be used, as this would double the work for nothing. Students and teachers operate the grade book program within ASH on a daily basis.
After completing this task, I have become more aware and open minded with regards to how to use Google Classroom, without it adding to my workload. I have an account, and have set up classes, but have not utilized its features in a meaningful way. This week, I plan to pilot the use of classroom and hope it makes my assessment procedure more organized and centralized.
Update
After experimenting with Google Classroom, I am happy with how it works for me. Find out more here, including screencasts on features I find particularly useful for me within Physical Education.