Communicative Tool

A "communicative tool" refers to any medium or device used to convey information or facilitate communication between individuals or groups. In a classroom context, a "communicative tool" refers to any method or device that facilitates interaction and communication between teachers and students, or among students themselves. These tools play a critical role in enhancing learning by promoting engagement, participation, and collaboration.

Examples of communicative tools in a classroom include  Digital Platforms and tools like Google Classroom, which allow for the distribution of course materials, submission of assignments, and communication via forums or leaving doubts and comments.  Apps like Telegram and WhatsApp serve as group communication tools where students can collaborate on projects and communicate both in and out of the classroom. Video Conferencing Tools, software like Zoom for remote learning, enabling live classroom sessions and discussions.

Some key reasons why communicative tools are essential:

1. Enhances Engagement and understanding: Communicative tools make lessons more interactive, helping to maintain students' interest and attention. Visual aids, multimedia presentations, and interactive software can help clarify complex concepts and make abstract ideas more tangible. 

2. Facilitates Collaboration: Tools such as discussion forums, shared documents, and group messaging apps allow students to work together on projects and assignments, fostering teamwork and the ability to share and critique ideas constructively.

3. Supports Diverse Learning Styles: Different students have different learning preferences—some learn better through visuals, others through audio, some through reading, and others through hands-on activities. Communicative tools can accommodate these varied styles, making learning more accessible for everyone.

4. Extends Learning Beyond the Classroom: With the use of online forums, chat groups, and digital submission systems, learning and teaching can continue outside the physical classroom. Students can access resources and support anytime and anywhere, which can enhance their learning experience and provide flexibility in how and when they learn.

Synchronous and Asynchronous Communicative Tools

Synchronous communicative tools enable real-time interaction between participants. They are crucial for instant communication and collaboration, fostering a sense of immediacy and connection. These tools are particularly useful for discussions that benefit from immediate feedback and for maintaining engagement in a virtual environment.

Examples:

1. Video Conferencing Software (e.g., Zoom), Live Chat (e.g., Telegram, WhatsApp)

Importance:

- Promotes real-time interaction and immediate clarification of doubts.

- Facilitates dynamic discussions and brainstorming.

- Enhances engagement through live participation and instant feedback.

- Mimics traditional classroom interactions, helping to maintain normalcy in remote or blended learning environments.

Asynchronous Communicative Tools

Asynchronous communicative tools allow for interactions that do not occur in real-time. Participants do not need to be present simultaneously, offering flexibility and convenience. These tools are essential for accommodating different time zones, schedules, and pacing preferences, allowing participants to engage with materials and discussions at their own pace.

Examples: Email, discussion Forums (e.g., Moodle forums, Canvas discussions), Learning Management Systems (LMS), and recorded Video Lectures: 

Importance:

- Supports self-paced learning, which is crucial for accommodating different learning speeds and styles.

- Enhances accessibility for students who may have other commitments or live in different time zones.

- Allows more time for thoughtful reflection and in-depth responses, which can lead to richer contributions to discussions.

- Reduces the pressure of immediate response, which can benefit students who prefer more time to process information and articulate their thoughts.

Google Classroom is a free blended learning platform developed by Google for educational institutions. The primary purpose of Google Classroom is to streamline the process of sharing files between teachers and students. It allows teachers to create lessons, collect students' work, and grade and return graded papers. Google Classroom falls under asynchronous communicative tools which is a learning management system (LMS) that aims to simplify creating, distributing, and grading assignments and engaging students in learning online or remotely.

It encourages collaboration between students and teachers. Using Google Classroom is a great way to organize, structure, and manage your classroom. It encourages paperless sharing and provides a platform for communicating with students.

Now let me take you all through my experience of creating Google Classroom. Here are the detailed steps to create a Google Classroom as a teacher:

1. Sign in to Google: Go to the Google website and sign in with your Google account. If you don't have one, you'll need to create an account.

2. Access Google Classroom: Once signed in, navigate to Google Classroom by either searching for it in the Google Apps menu (the grid icon in the upper right corner) or by directly visiting classroom.google.com.

3. Create a Class: In Google Classroom, click on the "+" icon in the top right corner and select "Create class" from the dropdown menu.

4. Enter Class Details: Fill in the required information for your class, including the class name, section, subject, and room. You can also add a class description to give students more information about the class.

5. Set Class Permissions: Choose the appropriate permissions for your class. You can decide whether students can post and comment, whether they need your approval to join, and whether they can view class materials without permission.

6. Invite Students: You have a few options for inviting students to your class:

    - Invite students directly: You can enter students' email addresses to send them invitations to join the class. (I have this one, it's really convenient) 

   - Share the class code: Google Classroom generates a unique class code that students can use to join the class.

   - Share the class link: Google Classroom also provides a link that you can share with students to join the class.

7. Customize Class Settings: After creating the class, you can customize the settings to fit your needs. This includes options such as changing the class theme, adjusting notification settings, and configuring permissions for class members.

8. Create Classwork: Once your class is set up, you can start creating assignments, quizzes, and other classwork. Click on the "Classwork" tab to add new assignments or materials to the class.

9. Manage Class Roster: Keep track of your students by managing your class roster. You can view a list of students who have joined the class and remove or mute students if necessary.

10. Communicate with Students: Use the Stream tab in Google Classroom to communicate with your students. You can post announcements, reminders, and other important information to keep students informed about class activities.

11. Review Student Work: As students complete assignments, you can review and grade their work directly within Google Classroom. You can provide feedback, assign grades, and return assignments to students for revisions.

12. Monitor Class Progress: Google Classroom provides insights into student engagement and progress. You can view class statistics, such as the number of assignments submitted and grades received, to monitor student performance. 

Reflection

After learning these concepts, I have learned that communication tools in the classroom can be incredibly beneficial. They allow for seamless communication and collaboration between teachers and students. With tools like messaging apps or Google Classroom, students can ask questions, share ideas, and participate in class discussions, even outside of the traditional classroom setting. Moreover, these tools also encourage active engagement and help foster a sense of community among students. Additionally, they provide a platform for teachers to provide timely feedback and support to their students. Overall, communication tools enhance the learning experience by promoting effective communication and creating an inclusive and interactive classroom environment. 

Reflecting on my experience using Google Classroom as a teacher, it has ease of communication, streamlined assignment management, and accessibility of resources. With just a few clicks, I can send announcements, updates, and reminders. This greatly improves the efficiency of my communication, ensuring that students are always informed. Furthermore, the platform facilitates timely and personalized feedback, addressing students' questions and concerns promptly. It simplifies the process of creating, distributing, and grading assignments. I can easily attach documents, videos, and links to assignments, making the learning experience more interactive and engaging. The ability to set due dates helps students stay organized and manage their time effectively. Additionally, the option to grade and return assignments electronically saves time and provides students with immediate feedback, which is crucial for their learning and improvement.

However, using Google Classroom is not without its challenges. Ensuring that all students have reliable internet access and devices remains a critical issue. Moreover, there is a learning curve for both teachers and students in mastering the various features and functionalities of the platform. In conclusion, my experience with Google Classroom has been overwhelmingly positive. It will enhance my teaching by making communication more efficient, assignment management more streamlined, and resources more accessible. 

The following are the link and code for Google Classroom:

https://classroom.google.com/c/Njc2NDc1NDAxMjk0?cjc=emu7hwq

Code: emu7hwq