Mr. Zurek’s Science

iGoogle vs. Chalksite

Until today, I had not explored either of these sites.  However, I have used components of iGoogle.  Also, Chalksite is similar to other web based organizers that I have used.  Each of these has its own place to be useful, but each also has its limitations.

Let’s start with iGoogle.  I have recently begun using Google Calendars for organizing myself.  Because I have just begun this process, I have not completely unleashed its power.  Now that I have looked at iGoogle, I have found that Google Calendar is one component that is available in iGoogle.  I can not only use the calendar, but many other applications.  My organization is now moving towards iGoogle because I am not just limited to my calendar.  I have now added email, weather, and even a gas price reporter.  These are just a few things that may help keep me organized.  Once again with a little more time, I may find more applications to make my life a little easier.

This is a program that could be used in my classroom as well as with my colleagues.  I could use it to give students access to my calendar.  I could also have them install applications that could be a launching point for internet research.  I could also have them use the dictionary application to make sure they understand all of the language used in my science class. 

As a team leader, I could once again utilize the calendar.  We could schedule our meetings and other team activities and make them available to the entire team as well as administrators and counselors.  We could use much of what Google offers for our organization needs.  Google Documents could be used to share notes and of course email communications could be made a little easier.

iGoogle does lack a few things that a teacher could use for a classroom.  Many schools are now moving into online grade books so students and parents can view progress.  Because Google is not an exclusive educational resource, iGoogle lacks this.  Another problem is that students can add games to their iGoogle page.  Most, if not all, of these games would not be blocked by a school’s firewall.  Classroom management can be difficult enough without this additional distraction.

Chalksite solves some of these problems.  Much like the “BlackBoard” program that we use at Fontbonne, it is dedicated for educational use.  Student communication is much easier that iGoogle.  I could send messages to specific students, a set group of students, an entire class, or even my entire student population.  I can send them assignments and documents through Chalksite with ease.  I can even set up a classroom website.  I can do some of these through Google, but I would need to go to different applications within Google rather than sticking to the iGoogle site.

Most importantly to me as a teacher, Chalksite offers a grading system.  If my school district did not already use an online grading system, this feature would draw me over to Chalksite.  A program that will organize and calculate my grades makes my job and my life much easier.  Adding the ability for students and parents to access this information eliminates surprises when reports cards are set to come out.  We use Infinite Campus within our district.  This has much of the same power as Chalksite, if the district turns on these features.  Chalksite seems to give the individual teacher more power in making these types of decisions.

As you can see, each of these programs has their advantages and their disadvantages.  It is up to the user to decide which will work best for them.  I am looking to expand my use of the Google products.  Even though they are not designed specifically for education, many of their features fill in the gaps left by the district mandated programs.