Google Apps for Collaboration

Description

In the Summer of 2010 ETS welcomes Dr. Richard Devon as a TLT Faculty Fellow to help us explore the power of simple publishing and collaboration within the Google Apps for Education suite. Dr. Devon is a Professor of Science Technology and Society within the College of Engineering focusing on design theory, innovative methods, globally distributed teams, social ethics of design, and design education. His Fellowship will focus on his notion of the “pedagogy of convenience” that simple collaborative tools afford.

After several team meetings, the work around Richard Devon’s Faculty Fellowship is starting to take shape. Richard is a professor of engineering design and has been using web-based tools (primarily Google Apps) in his classes to facilitate team work. Richard is looking at the advantages of using systems and materials that can by used anytime, anywhere, by anyone. These cloud-based services power what Richard refers to as a “pedagogy of convenience”. Does this convenience lessen the impediments to learning when in a technological environment, as well as lessen the impediments inherent from life issues (e.g. illness, family obligations, etc)? Does the anytime, anywhere nature of Google Apps increase student learning and performance?

Focus Area

Student Engagement
Theme: Collaboration