My Web 2.0

The collaborative feature of Google Docs seems to be one of its best features. In my initial search, I viewed various templates. (I love not having to create from scratch.) I will probably use / modify the following templates this year: Course Syllabus, Lesson Plan, and Basic Meeting Notes.

Four ways I would like to use Google Docs next fall are as follows:

1. To record minutes from parent conferences – Frequently in a group conference led by the Transition director, each Transition teacher speaks to parents and then leaves the meeting if he or she has other duties. If, after the meeting, each teacher recorded his or her conversation in the meeting, then all of the student’s teachers would know what was said and what plans had been made.
2. To record laptop issues – I think that Jessica Parsons is already keeping records of each Transition student’s laptop; however, if this were a Google document, then all of the teachers could quickly see the status of a student’s laptop. ie: Is it really being repaired or has it been stashed in the study hall room? Hasn’t this laptop been sent out once before for the same problem?
3. To record lesson plans and / or homework assignments - I would love to be able to know quickly what other Transition teachers are teaching and what their homework assignments are on any given day. ie: If Mr. Mousadis is teaching a unit on Russia, I can teach a short story set in Russia. If Ms. Bandrowski’s class has just studied adjective phrases, then I can ask my students (who also have her) to include some adjective phrases in their vocabulary sentences.
4. To keep records on each Transition student – I envision two different types of records for each student in the Transition program:
   1. Records which would be accessible every year by any teacher who worked him / her. These “formal” records would include standardized test scores, accommodations, grades, and anecdotal information that would be helpful for teachers each year. Presently, this information is found in a number of locations and sharing it is a nightmare. I want to know from day one that Susan needs to wear her glasses, or that Mary has been tutored in a Lindamood Bell program, or that Johnny is artistic. Are there any confidentiality issues here?
   2. I would like to come up with a way to record my thoughts and observations on each child throughout the year. Perhaps I could have a Google document on each student….a place where I can review what I said to parents in the past, what parents have said to me, and what I am presently observing. I welcome any and all suggestions!