2013 MinneTESOL presentation by Crystal Rose and Julie Chi on the topic of using Google Drive with adult ESL students.

1. Facilitate Collaboration
with Google Docs
Julie Chi and Crystal Rose
MinneTESOL Conference
November 9th, 2013
University of Minnesota
Minnesota English Language Program
Minneapolis, Minnesota

2. Essential Questions
What is Google Docs?
How can it be used in the classroom?
How can it benefit our learners?
What are possible challenges/considerations?

3. What is Google Docs?
o
Documents
o
Spreadsheets
o
Forms
o
Presentations
o
Drawing

4. Access

5. Benefits of using Google Docs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Collaboration
Organization
Presentation
Sharing Ideas
Critical Thinking
Authentic Learning
Engagement
Greater Participation
“...the use of Google
Drive...fundamentally change[s]
teaching and learning practices in ways
that [go] beyond simply increasing the
efficiency of information distribution.”
~ Rowe, Bozalek and Frantz (2013)

6. Student Demographics
International Students
Higher Ed, Intensive English Program
Saudi Arabia predominantly
Oman
Philippines
China
Somalia
Turkey
Japan
Korea
Mongolia

7. Writing
•
•
•
•
Peer or Instructor Review / Editing
Sharing Outlines and Drafts
Collaborative Brainstorming
Formatting a paragraph or essay

8. Reading / Vocabulary
● Vocabulary Building Exercises
● Graphic Organizers
● PowerPoint Presentations Summarizing
Ideas from a reading
● Reading fluency practice

9. Grammar
•
•
•
Presentations to assess oral grammar
Sentence Collection
Collaborative Error Correction

10. Oral Skills
•
•
•
•
Writing collaborative stories/scripts (to be
recorded)
Creating listening quizzes
Developing class goals and expectations at
the beginning of a term
Creating summary presentation (of videos
and readings) as a class

11. Results of Survey - Julie’s Class
Which of the following skills do you think have
improved for you while using Google Docs in your
class?
technical skills (ex. computer
skills, online learning)
8
14%
communication skills
6
11%
collaboration skills (working as
a team)
14
25%
grammar skills
5
9%
writing skills
9
16%
speaking skills
3
5%
editing skills
6
11%
reading skills
4
7%
Other (test)
1
2%

12. Results of Survey- Crystal’s Class

13. Students’ Praises
“I learn a lot of information about my technical skill. For example before the
making quiz activity, i didnt know how i will do a online quiz on computer. And,
working together is most important benefit for me.”
“to make the writing clear, learn more about technology to be prepared for
academic classes in university”
“...Google Docs is very useful, It can helps to make a main idea about our topic
and clarify questions.”

14. Students’ Concerns
“Sometimes, time is not enough. Because in the group some people has
different idea and it is hard to do same thing together.”
“take more time than hand writing and I don`t like to use computer it's
complicated for me .”
“...sometimes student copy on these Google document exactly information,
So It depends on what type of assigment is.”

15. Discussion
http://bit.ly/HMgx68
1) What are some considerations when
deciding whether or not to use Google Docs
(or HOW to use Google Docs effectively)?
2) What are some other potential uses of
Google Docs for the classroom, for teachers
or for programs?

16. Resources
Rowe, Michael, Bozalek, Vivienne & Frantz, Jose (2013). Using Google Drive to facilitate a blended
approach to authentic learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 44, 4, 594-606.
Firth, Mark & Mesureur, Germain (2010). Innovative uses for Google Docs in a university language
program. Jaltcall Journal, 6, 1, 3-16.
Head back to school with Drive: Teacher Edition
Posted: Monday, August 19, 2013, by Google guest blogger Wendy Gorton
Using Google Docs in the EFL classroom
Posted in: Mobile ESL: Learning and teaching ESL using cellphones, tablets and other
mobile devices. Sunday, 14 November 2010, by David Read
Google Docs and ESL Assistant for Writing Well
Uploaded on Jan 18, 2010, by David Woo

17. Presenters’ Contact Information
Julie C. Chi, M.A. TESL
University of Minnesota - Minnesota English Language Program
Minneapolis, MN
chixx009@umn.edu
Crystal Rose, M.A. TESL (almost!)
University of Minnesota - Minnesota English Language Program
Minneapolis, MN
rosex466@umn.edu
@crysrose28