Google+Groups

=Google Groups= Sadly, google groups was sent to the Google Graveyard. A wonderful product when it was first introduced, it has been discontinued by Google and Sites was offered as an alternative, but it doesn't allow the collaboration power of it's predecessor.

Google Groups allow a group of people to meet online to share their discussions with each other. To learn more about Google Groups [|click here.] To take the Google Groups tour [|click here]. Google Group Directory: http://groups.google.com/groups/dir?hl=en (Karen J) Article describing Google Groups' application to sports reporting http://beatblogging.org/2008/01/18/google-groups-has-improved-my-sports-reporting-the-chronicle-of-higher-education/. (Karen J) Video guides to Google Groups:- []- []

[|Edutopia Article]

**Strengths:**
1. A free tool! 2. Groups create a class space online for students to initiate discussions, ask questions, and learn from one another. 3. Teachers wouldn't need to answer multiple emails (from parents or students) about he same topic, it could be answered for all to see. 4. Teachers could post resources so that parents can see how they are supporting their child. 5. Teachers can hold discussions about various concepts in the curriculum. They could discuss what works and what doesn't. 6. Students could work on cooperative learning assignments at home. 7. Students could get help with their homework assignments. · Teachers can educate students on how to build and become responsible contributing members of professional learning communities. 9. - Eventually may eliminate the need for paper notices to be sent home ( time and paper consuming).

**Strengths: (Karen J)**

 * Narrow search by topic, region, # messages, # members, languages, days since last post
 * Create your own Google Groups page to manage your group activities
 * Access Usenet’s popular tags such as alt., rec.
 * Discuss online or by email
 * Find like-minded individuals who share interests.

1. Because of the amount of text without graphics, this type of forum may not be a user friendly form for elementary students. 2. It is an open environment some students maybe insecure and afraid to share their questions. 3. Teachers may miss a student's question if they are not checking the groups discussion consistently. · Students might not be able to access from school site.  5. Messages home my won’t reach students and parents without Internet resources.  6. It is easy to get lost sometimes in the message area.
 * Weaknesses:**


 * Weaknesses: (Karen J)**


 * Established groups often go off topic and post biased comments.
 * Experts are probably not well represented in posts.

1. Teaching students a type of meaningful discussion (writing) technique in an open forum. 2. Students can help each other by posting their learning and questions about class or projects.
 * Opportunities:**


 * Opportunities: (Karen J)**
 * Customize your page for your group
 * Develop online communities with non-profits.
 * Give students the chance to monitor academic and career-related groups for information and networking.
 * Option for those who don’t want to use a wiki.
 * Teach students that it isn’t about quantity, it’s about quality.

1. Parents may overtake the group if they have too many questions. 2. Students may mislead others with incorrect information. · Copywriting issues could pop up from in experienced users. · Cyber bullying could become a problem if teacher does not monitoring comments on a routine basis.
 * Threats:**


 * Threats: (Karen J)**


 * Neither Google Groups or Usenet censor posts.
 * In order to post you must sign up for a Google account with personal information.

**__Ideas for the Classroom__**

 * Post questions that students need to answer thoughout the semester. Students can see each other's learning by looking at each other's answers.
 * Hold help sessions online before a test.
 * Post resources for students to use for projects, extra work, or tests.
 * Students can work on cooperative learning assignments at home.
 * For team projects, students can use these groups to share ideas, store documents, and organize web resources.
 * Teachers can create groups for school clubs or sport teams to share news, announcements, and pictures.
 * Make classroom handouts, reading material, and web links available to students and parents.
 * Create a book club for parents and students so they can read together at home and then answer questions posted online.
 * Create an online study group for your classroom. Students can post notes taken in class and answer reflection questions.
 * Here is a [|Google Groups Tip Sheet] I found!

Ideas for the Classroom (__Karen J__)
 * Penpals can use groups to share information.
 * Foreign language students can practice reading posts from native speakers.
 * Post prompts for students to respond to.