Page 22 - Bandmasters Review - 2017 June

Using Google in the Band Office

Britni Nuckols
Britni Nuckols
For many years I thought that Google The biggest concern I hear is “Office will present
was merely a search engine. A few does this task and Google doesn’t have “Giddy for Google
years ago I discovered its collaborative it.” Microsoft controls the functions Forms” on
abilities, and it has changed the way I within its products whereas Google
run my band program. Keep reading lays the foundation. Anyone can create Saturday, July 22
to learn how it can help you too! My an add-on for more advanced features. at 3:00 pm
upcoming clinic Giddy for Google Check out the Chrome Web Store for
Forms will dive deeper into how Forms add-ons others have created that can
can save you time and energy during help you with specific tasks. check for theory understanding.
the school year. Amarillo ISD is a GAFE (Google Students receive instant feedback, and
One of the many things I love Apps for Education) district. This I no longer have to grade worksheets—
about Google is that I can access my means that every teacher and student it’s a win-win.
files from any device (phone, tablet, has a Google account. With the Assignments in Classroom do not
or computer). I can edit documents collaborative abilities, I can now share have to be for the entire class--you
without an internet connection, and files not only with my students but can pick and choose which students
they will be updated as soon as I’m also with my staff and teachers across receive them. It’s a great way to
online. This means the days of taking a town. differentiate based on the needs and
flash drive to and from school are over! Sheets is a great way to keep track abilities of your students. Technology
I will admit that I was apprehensive of chair test grades, scale pass offs, and differentiation; it’s a T-TESS
at first. Everything I had created in my etc. I am able to share these files with double play!
teaching career had been in Microsoft my staff so they can each update I use Google Drive every day at
Office. That’s what I knew, that was the sheet simultaneously while they school. Think of Google Drive as
my safe place. Three years ago, I hear students. Grades are in one your online flash drive. Anything you
decided that everything I created spreadsheet, and I’m not having to create or work on is automatically
during the upcoming school year transfer grades over after class. Talk saved and can be accessed anywhere.
would be in Google. There was a small about a time saver! If someone shares a file with you, you
learning curve but in many ways, can save it to your drive to have your
things operated the same. Honestly, own copy. GAFE users have unlimited
the thought of taking everything I storage space!
had done and putting it into the I’m using Sheets for pass off charts,
Google system scared me, so instead I use Classroom with my students. grades, rosters, bus lists, etc. Docs is
I created new things in Google but They make video recordings of used for letters to parents, concert
kept my old files in Microsoft Office. themselves and submit them. I can programs, supply lists, binder covers,
I still had what was comfortable while watch these anywhere and offer etc. Forms are great to collect student/
slowly learning the Google Apps. You feedback directly to that student. parent information, handbook
can take Microsoft Word, Excel, and This was a huge help in All-Region consents, student quizzes, etc.
PowerPoint files and upload them audition preparation. Students use Classroom allows students to submit
directly to Google so you won’t be their cell phones, tablets or Chrome work, follow links to online resources,
recreating years of work. books to record their videos. I have etc. I even had student officers submit
a class set of ten Chrome books that ideas for our program this year
students may check out to take care of through Classroom and Docs. When
their assignments. I have incorporated I need to have our upcoming concert
exercises from www.musictheory. information displayed in my school’s
net into Classroom assignments to video announcements, I put a slide or

Bandmasters Review • June 2017 20 Texas Bandmasters Association