Weekly Report & Reflection #7

Exploring Google Docs this week was very eye-opening for me. I have limited experience working within Google Docs but have been told to explore this tool by fellow co-workers for quite some time so we can collaborate virtually. Using it to collaborate on my upcoming group presentation on Digital Communication really showed me how beneficial this digital tool can be as far as aiding in education activities. Also, watching the Google Docs in Plain English YouTube video (click HERE to watch it) helped me build my knowledge and understanding of using Google Docs, making my exploration much more seamless and user friendly!

Stark, S. (CC) 2016

Using Google Docs to chat and edit documents with others will not only be a handy way to approach group projects in the future but is also something I hope to utilize professionally when I am not at work but wish to edit or relay information to one of my coworkers. I also think having the ability to look at the revision history of the document or slideshow is brilliant! If a group member accidentally deletes something or wishes to add something to the document that was previously deleted, it is quite simple to do so! I think this aspect of Google Docs is the most beneficial so progress can be tracked and deletions can be added if need be. In addition, the accessibility of Google Docs makes virtual collaboration an easy way to come together and idea share. With the craziness of most student schedules, Google Docs makes presentations and group projects much easier to complete in an efficient manner. I also hope to utilize Google Docs to collaborate more with my co-workers from home when I am not on shift.

Working collaboratively on the group presentation has contributed immensely to building my knowledge of both Google Docs and effective collaboration strategies which do not require face to face meeting. With tools like Google Docs and TodaysMeet, it almost seems entirely unnecessary in many instances to meet face to face with group members with so many great digital tools at our finger tips which allow us to collaborate from anywhere!

Stark, S. (CC) 2016

One item of interest found through my Feedly reader this week is a blog post through Edutopia on using brain breaks during learning to think more clearly when engaging with content and to stay more focused on the task at hand. The article describes several ways you can take a quick brain break, some of which I would love to utilize! For example, stop your work for brief periods of focused and intentional breathing to center your focus for a few minutes. Even though this article is geared towards younger children taking brain breaks in the classroom, I think many of the techniques are beneficial for university students as well in order to maintain mental stamina. Sometimes when exploring new online tools, I find myself feeling overwhelmed. Stopping to take a brain break may be just the help I need to stay on track! Check out this great article by clicking HERE!

Thanks for reading!

Scarlet Stark