Kevin Brookhouser

Graphic designer, Maya Eilam posted an incredible infographic on Kurt Vonnegut's theories of archetypal stories. I'm using it in my classroom to teach students how to structure the one-act play they're writing. First, we discuss the different forms. Then, I ask students to think of their favorite stories and consider where they fit in this model. Finally, I have them fill out a form like this. Give it a try yourself, and see what submissions other readers have submitted  here . Loading...

Shared folders (which used to be called collections) in Google Drive (which used to be called Docs) rocks. I preferred the term collections  over folders  because the metaphor worked better. In the real world you cannot put one document into two separate folders, but in Drive you can. I'll get over it. I'm more concerned with how destructive collaborators could be in shared folders. Last year I had all of my students submit their work to me in a shared folder. One folder for each assignment. It was great. They had the responsibility of "turning it in," and I could see all of the docs in one place. This is SO much better than having students email you their work, and it keeps everything organized. When I tell people I do this, their first comment is, "don't all students have access to other student work?" My answer is, "Yes, and that's great." Their concern is (A) they might steal other student writing and (B) they might vandalize other...

Watch this screencast that shows you how to create forms that will help you grade essays faster while removing some of the mystery students feel about subjective assessments. Also see how I use the iPad while I grade. Here is a link to the Google Docs Template . You must be signed in with your Google account to view this.  

We're currently reading Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God  in my 10th grade English class. Whenever we read complex novels, I like to collect a list of vocabulary words from the novel to study. I used to collect those words myself. Now I have my students create the collection. First I create a Google Form. If you're not using Forms,  you should . You can embed this form in your class site. I use Google Sites, but Moodle or other CMS will work. I always have my students submit their section number and last name in all the forms I use. It's much easier to track who has submitted the forms when I do. Then I have them submit a word they discovered while reading the book. They also include the definition of the word. Below the form I embed the spreadsheet associated with the form. Remember to make that spreadsheet viewable by anyone with the link or your students will just see a blank screen. I called this crowd-sourcing in the title. Maybe we shou...

Here is a webinar I hosted with another Google Apps for EDU Certified Trainer, Tim Lee.