Differences & Simiarities Chart Description:
Communication Tool used for Week 1: Google Wave
URL of the Tool: http://wave.google.com/about.html
Please select the one, primary category for this tool: Communication Tool
Please describe this tool in your own words.
Google Wave has been a product of Google since May 28, 2009. It is an online software application that can be used to communicate and collaborate with others. It also makes creative thoughts more easier to express.
While working in Google Wave blogger, the wave is being transferred live where people can discuss and work together using text, photos, videos, maps, and more.
The wave is a shared space on the web server that is immediately updated as you type new information in the document. When a new participant is added to the wave group, they can automatically edit, type-text, add pictures or graphics to the wave. The wave keeps a history of each individual conversation and media to help those who are just joining the group. Waves can be kept private, shared, or made public if chosen to do so.
While trying to install Google Wave, I had an option to get a faster and free web browser or keep the current browser at my own risk. There were three choices listed, Google Chrome, Safari 4, and Firefox 3.5. I decided to choose Google Chrome because I was familiar with the browser and found it to be user-friendly. And after all, the client did mention that it would run web pages and applications with the speed of lightning!
In conclusion, this tool can be very productive for any group whose trying to communicate, collaborate, and keep updates with one another.
What do you need to know before using this tool?
Basic skills such as knowing how to use the Internet properly to surf through web pages and following instructions to install and create a Google Wave is all you need to know.
What do you need to have before using this tool?
Before using this tool you might want to install a faster web browser such as Google Chrome, Safari 4, or Firefox. The purpose of this installation is for faster speed so that your software and applications will run smoother while using this tool.
How do you use this tool?
Once you download the Google Chrome web browser and install the software, you will need to login by typing your username and password.
In Google Wave, you can use this tool by doing the following things:
- Have classroom discussions.
- Track student’s task/assignments that have been performed in and out of class.
- Set up student or parent meetings.
- Brainstorm with students about a specific topic or subject the students are learning for the week.
- Keep documents on file for each student performance every semester.
HOW TO USE GOOGLE WAVE FOR LIVE BLOGGING
STEP 1: Go to Google Wave website http://wave.google.com/about.html and start a new wave (please sign up first to become a member). When you start a new wave, by default it will not be public.
STEP 2: Add public@.com to start a Public Wave. This wave will become a live-blogging wave for the public to view. Your readers will be able to se the wave on your blog. It would be helpful to copy and paste the address and add this account to the Wave, then place it in your contacts.
STEP 3: You can decide to make your Wave Read-only or give your readers Full access to your Wave. When you give full access this means that any person can comment on your blog. When you make your blog read-only, it does not allow others to edit your blog.
If you decide to change these settings at anytime, simply click on the globe icon that represents the public@a.gwave.com account and change the access settings.
NOTICE: Public waves are set to “full access” by default.
STEP 3: You can decide to make your Wave Read-only or give your readers Full access to your Wave. When you give full access this means that any person can comment on your blog. When you make your blog read-only, it does not allow others to edit your blog.
If you decide to change these settings at anytime, simply click on the globe icon that represents the public@a.gwave.com account and change the access settings.
NOTICE: Public waves are set to “full access” by default.
STEP 4: You will need to get the embedded code and embed it to your Wave. Simply copy you URL wave from your browser’s address bar and go to the tool that says Wave Element, then paste the URL into the form. Click on Return to refresh the new URL.
Now you can select the desired size of the embed size to your blog, and go to the bottom of the page where you can find the updated embed code.
STEP 5: You can also go to your favorite blogging tool and paste the embed code into your new post. At this point, you can start blogging and your readers will see every word you type in real time.
Please create an example with this tool and either embed in your blog or submit the URL.
In Google Wave, I wanted to have a discussion with the students before the first class day. I clicked on the tab that said Discussion and simply wrote a note to all the students who will be attending the Microsoft 2007 training class. And it went a little like this:
(WELCOME! My name is Ms. Edwards and I will be your instructor today from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. Please bring your Presentation Standards book to class July 20. Thank you and make it a great day).
Please describe a scenario of how you might use this tool in a teaching environment.
The Google Wave tool can be used in the classroom in many different ways by giving students information pertaining to their classes. It can help students with their work to make sure they are up to date with class assignments. For example, if a student did not come to class they can use the Google Wave tool at any location, and at any time to check assignments they have missed.
Google Wave can be beneficial to students who are having problems in a particular subject by having multiple people working on assignments together. They can teach one another how to solve a specific problem. For example, if students are working on an English paper and someone does not know how to word their paper correctly they can give each other ideas on how to write their paper properly. The students can also edit each other’s paper to check spelling, grammar, and capitalization.
The teacher can use the Google Wave tool for grading assignments to make sure the students are aware of when assignments are due. The students can also check to see if there have been any changes made to the assignment.
In Texas, there are many different weather conditions that can affect a student from attending school. By having Google Wave, the instructor can update the board to notify each student and parent on what to do about attending class for that particular day.
At times, there may be upcoming issues that can affect the school alone. For example, the instructor can update the Google Wave board to notify students and parents that the school’s hot water heater has broken and flooded the school and could possibly be closing to renovate and fix the situation.
If a teacher has an unexpected family emergency he/she can notify the students ahead of time to give them the opportunity to prepare or even work on assignments. A student can also use this tool to turn their work in on time to make sure that they are on the right track and understand the lesson given. If a student turns their assignment in early, they will be aware of any necessary changes.
In conclusion, the Google Wave tool is beneficial not only to the teacher, parent, but also to the student as well because it helps them to become up to date on what is going on in the class and around them.
What are the advantages of using this tool in a teaching environment?
The advantage of using Google Wave in the school environment can be very imperative for each student. For example, students will have the opportunity to receive live updates anywhere their located so that no one will be left behind or working on assignments that could have been omitted from the latest assignment. Also, Google Wave live updates could benefit each student if he/she is out sick or unable to make it to class due to weather conditions or personal matters.
What are the disadvantages of using this tool in a teaching environment?
The disadvantage of Google Wave in the teaching environment could be lack of communication or understanding when working on a specific project or assignment.
Now you can select the desired size of the embed size to your blog, and go to the bottom of the page where you can find the updated embed code.
STEP 5: You can also go to your favorite blogging tool and paste the embed code into your new post. At this point, you can start blogging and your readers will see every word you type in real time.
Please create an example with this tool and either embed in your blog or submit the URL.
In Google Wave, I wanted to have a discussion with the students before the first class day. I clicked on the tab that said Discussion and simply wrote a note to all the students who will be attending the Microsoft 2007 training class. And it went a little like this:
(WELCOME! My name is Ms. Edwards and I will be your instructor today from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. Please bring your Presentation Standards book to class July 20. Thank you and make it a great day).
Please describe a scenario of how you might use this tool in a teaching environment.
The Google Wave tool can be used in the classroom in many different ways by giving students information pertaining to their classes. It can help students with their work to make sure they are up to date with class assignments. For example, if a student did not come to class they can use the Google Wave tool at any location, and at any time to check assignments they have missed.
Google Wave can be beneficial to students who are having problems in a particular subject by having multiple people working on assignments together. They can teach one another how to solve a specific problem. For example, if students are working on an English paper and someone does not know how to word their paper correctly they can give each other ideas on how to write their paper properly. The students can also edit each other’s paper to check spelling, grammar, and capitalization.
The teacher can use the Google Wave tool for grading assignments to make sure the students are aware of when assignments are due. The students can also check to see if there have been any changes made to the assignment.
In Texas, there are many different weather conditions that can affect a student from attending school. By having Google Wave, the instructor can update the board to notify each student and parent on what to do about attending class for that particular day.
At times, there may be upcoming issues that can affect the school alone. For example, the instructor can update the Google Wave board to notify students and parents that the school’s hot water heater has broken and flooded the school and could possibly be closing to renovate and fix the situation.
If a teacher has an unexpected family emergency he/she can notify the students ahead of time to give them the opportunity to prepare or even work on assignments. A student can also use this tool to turn their work in on time to make sure that they are on the right track and understand the lesson given. If a student turns their assignment in early, they will be aware of any necessary changes.
In conclusion, the Google Wave tool is beneficial not only to the teacher, parent, but also to the student as well because it helps them to become up to date on what is going on in the class and around them.
What are the advantages of using this tool in a teaching environment?
The advantage of using Google Wave in the school environment can be very imperative for each student. For example, students will have the opportunity to receive live updates anywhere their located so that no one will be left behind or working on assignments that could have been omitted from the latest assignment. Also, Google Wave live updates could benefit each student if he/she is out sick or unable to make it to class due to weather conditions or personal matters.
What are the disadvantages of using this tool in a teaching environment?
The disadvantage of Google Wave in the teaching environment could be lack of communication or understanding when working on a specific project or assignment.
Google Wave can be used for educational purposes, but it is not one of the best web 2.0 tools to use for chatting live. When chatting live in Google Wave, the transferring of waves are much too slow for real-time communication.
