Google Drawings

Previous to this class, I had not had any experience using Google Drawings. When I was younger I used Paint a lot, the program that comes with Microsoft Windows, but that was just for fun. Google Drawings can actually be used for many different purposes. It can be used to make charts, tables, posters, and many other things. One great feature of Google Drawings, as with other items on Google Drive, is that drawings can be shared with other people. You can post drawings and allow others to edit them or only allow others to view them. In order for me to learn a little bit about Google Drawings, I watched a few videos on YouTube and played around with Drawings. I tried inserting text boxes, shapes, and tables. I experimented using different colors. I thought it was great how images and links can be easily inserted into a drawing. I also learned that you don't just have to stay in the square when you're working on a drawing template. You can go outside the lines and use the space outside of the main square. A drawing can be created and incorporated into other Google  programs, which is a wonderful feature.

I looked into the lesson plan for elementary school students. One plus to having students use Google Drawings for a math assignment is that they can do the lesson, as well as get used to working with a program on Google Drive. This assignment can get students used to different tools for drawings, and they also learn terms pertaining to math, such as rotate vertically or 90 degrees. By using the rotating commands, students can learn about symmetry. I like that students are to add other shapes and make a unique drawing, because that can help make the lesson a little more fun and creative. It's also great that a teacher can make one template and each student can then have their own copy, rather than everyone editing the same one.

Google Drawings can also help schools fulfill Common Core State Standards. One standard requires students to make analytical conclusions from reading certain text. Creating a graphic organizer on Google Drawings can help prompt students to do this. It is a great resource teachers have and presents another option for them to help teach certain standards. Another state standard requires students to draw different shapes freehand, with a ruler and protractor, and with technology. Drawings would be a great place for students to complete the technology part. There is also a social studies and science standard requiring students to interpret information presented in different ways, such as charts, graphs, animations, web pages, and so on. Students would be able to complete all of these in one program. Drawings could be a good way for teachers to set  these up, as well as have students interact themselves. From reading about Google Apps and some of the Common Core State Standards, I can see how Google Drawings can be used not just in one subject, but in many subjects. It is also a good way to get students interacting and using technology.