Monday, March 1, 2010

Trial and Error

Last week, I thought for my class, let's change it up and take our weekly selection test on the computer!  I had learned how to use google docs and had done a small 3 question practice test on Groundhog Day, which worked great!  I wanted to create motivation and interest by using computers, because I know my students love technology.

So I took the time to type in the questions into google docs and test it out.  I even spent an hour trying to upload a graphic image.  I also found out how to score the multiple choice section automatically.  On Friday, the kids were all excited to use the computers to take the test.  When my quick finishers got to the end of the test, the submit button was un-clickable!  I made sure they had answered all the questions and still they were unable to click submit.  The rest of the class was starting to finish as well, and they couldn't click either!  Needless to say, my experiment went awry. I still don't know why the submit button wasn't working.  I tried to search it out on google docs help sight, and I couldn't find the answer.

I won't stop trying to use tech, but I'll do further testing next time!

On a positive note, I upgraded my class edublog to pro!  I wanted to upload some video's of my reader's theater that my kids were doing last week, and it wouldn't let me otherwise.  I love it.  I'm getting very techie!

Thanks to my PLN, I also learned about hootsuite where I could load in my twitter account and facebook account so I wouldn't have to open up 4 programs every time I'm on the computer.  That PLN... so helpful!