Google Teacher Academy Action Plan: Part 2

Google Docs.

Within the past two weeks, I’ve held two workshops for the teachers in my school introducing Google Docs.  I broke Google Docs. into two one-hour workshops.  The first hour concentrated on creating, editing and sharing a document (similar to a word processing document).  The second workshop focused on using the presentation, spreadsheet and form tools. 

Abracadabra!

I began the first workshop by explaining the capabilities of Google Docs.  I was thrilled to see the look on the teachers’ faces when idea of web-based files registered.  “You mean I don’t have to worry about a flash drive or emailing documents to myself?”  The stage was set for a great workshop… I felt like a magician at a child’s birthday party, only I was sharing all of the secrets. 

After we created our own documents, I shared a document I had prepared earlier with the group.  As each person edited it, I heard pleased exclamations when they saw other teachers’ work appear on their own screen.  I asked them to add their thoughts to a table concerning how students could benefit from a tool like this.  We were all in the same room and it just seemed easier to talk about it.  ( F2F is still my favorite small group discussion vehicle.)  Thoughts were exchanged, especially the idea of peer editing and collaborating for in-school and at-home assignments.

 

One issue that did arise is the fact that without Google Apps. for Education Edition, our students would need to register for a Google Account with an email address.  Our district has not issued email addresses to our students yet, and the administration has reservations about endorsing sites that could lead students inadvertently to tools that allow them to create an online identity.   I assured the teachers that we discuss the issue at every district technology meeting and we are actively pursuing a solution that satisfies all parties.

Coincidentally, our February district technology meeting was held this afternoon.  We discussed many topics, including Google Docs.  I asked to have it added to the agenda, primarily to brainstorm the ideas I’ve picked up from my Twitter friends concerning dummy email solutions to Web2.0 tools. 

And then the REAL magic happened…

Our curriculum director felt that adequate safety features would be in place with dummy email accounts and it deserved to be a pilot program!  I tried not to jump out of my seat to volunteer, but I think my graciously supportive colleagues knew I had been thinking about this for months.  So tomorrow, pending my principal’s approval, I’ll meet with a fifth grade teacher to discuss the possibilities.  I’ve decided to create a Google Site to track our progress and post the lesson plans.

Stay tuned!

Hi, My Name is Christy and I’ve Participated in a PLN for 8 Months

Information Junkie

Many bloggers post about the joy of reading other blogs, and jumping from link to link…practically swimming in new ideas and information.  (Will Richardson describes it as a dance, and Steve Dembo reminds us to Link it Up!)  To be honest, I often feel what I like to call RSS two-way guilt  (I may or may not be the first person to use that term, but I’m surely not the first person to feel it.)  When my Reader has 100+ posts, I feel guilty that I’ve neglected my ever generous, always stimulating PLN.  After 2+ hours catching up, I feel guilty when my non-educator husband calls from the living room, “Are you still blogging?”  (He doesn’t differentiate between PLN activities..everything is “blogging” to him, mostly to yank my chain. I can’t imagine what you folks with kids do.)  Would some basic time management help?  Of course, but there are only so many hours in the day.  I have Twitter, Nings, wikis, and emails to stay on top of!  Did I mention I’m also a full-time technology AND gifted/talented teacher?   But, alas, I cannot stop…

Believe Me, I’m Not Complaining!

Discovering this “new world” of information 8 months ago is the BEST professional thing that could have happened to me.  (I have Lisa Thumann to thank for a great Web 2.0 workshop at Rutgers University.)  I was lucky enough to attend the Google Teacher Academy in NYC this past November. (Here is my application video) I met amazing people who have the same (and different)goals and ideas as I do.   I’ve encouraged my district administrators to continually add “Web 2.0″, for lack of a better term, to each technology meeting agenda.   Today, I pitched the idea of using Google Apps. for Educators with our teachers and students.  I made this simple presentation, and it sparked a forward-moving conversation.

Go Team!

My Free Master’s Program

I completed my Master’s degree in Educational Technology in 2005.  I’m very proud of that degree, but feel…well…sad, when I think about the hours I spent in musty campus computer labs creating projects that proved my knowledge of Flash (a car driving across the screen) or my superb PowerPoint abilities (creating a Jeopardy game).  In three years, I have never felt the need to recreate either of those activities.  Participating in my PLN, even if my activity is limited at times, is a free, incredibly engaging opportunity to stretch and grow.  I feel the ups and downs that all life-long learners feel:  discomfort and hesitation with the new material leading to confidence and pride with the things I’ve mastered.  I feel like the student from the YouTube video Networked Student by Wendy Dexler.   The last bit of the video describes the role of a teacher as someone who guides, supports and encourages rather than acts as the “sage on the stage”.  Somewhat ironically, I think it reinforces the need for f2f learning environments as well.  I’m very interested in learning and sharing with my peers in my PLN, but nothing beats seeing the excitement on a fellow educator’s face when they say, “My students LOVED this… it was so cool.”

Hand Holding

 

 

From: http://workingwriterscoach.com/2007/09/17/are-you-ready-to-receive/

Techie Wedding Bliss

My fiance’ is now my husband thanks to an absolutely wonderful wedding attended by friends and family from near and far.  The experience was mind-bending and holding his hand on that day meant more than words can explain. 

But enough mushiness for now…

Maybe this is my claim to super-geekiness, but I can’t help but make some connections between my experiences with wedding planning and technology integration.

Being a techie-bride, one of the first things I did for our out of town guests was create a wedding wiki.  My husband’s family is from the rural south and I knew driving around New Jersey with our jug-handle turns and toll roads would be a huge culture shock for some of them.   The wiki had everything:  links to hotels, travel sites, Google maps and directions, a weekend agenda, sight-seeing suggestions… I was very proud of it.  However, as we got closer to the wedding date, I received many questions via email and phone that the wiki answered:  “How can I rent a car from the hotel?” “We want to go site-seeing in Philadelphia.”  “How do I get from the airport to the hotel…how much does it cost?”   It drove me a little nuts as I tried to prepare for these questions ahead of time because I was busy with last minute wedding details.  Rather than take a few minutes to explore the sites I had prepared for them, they wanted me to hold their hand through the process.  It was almost like they didn’t trust the websites, or that I knew secret information the websites wouldn’t provide (not true).  Now, I love my new in-laws and they are great, technology using, people.  I realized that they just wanted a little bit of hand-holding for a trip to a new, possibly over-whelming place. 

Have you run into educators like this?  I’ve recommended very easy to use, online tools to teachers and some of them refuse to try it  without a formal workshop (with paper handout!).  Sometimes, they are fairly fluent technology users, but don’t realize their own skill level.  Still, there can be great hesitation to try a new tool because they might “do it wrong”. 

Here’s a secret I tell as many teachers as I can.  I DON’T KNOW IT ALL.  Honestly, I don’t.  I am mostly self-taught, but cherish the times I’ve had the privilege of one-on-one assistance.  My secret is:  I test drive a lot of things.  If I like it, I put in a few hours/days/weeks learning how to use it to address my needs.  I follow people on my PLN who are using the same tool to see if they have any new tips/hints about using it.  Here’s the real kicker:  I may use a tool for months without really using it to its full capacity.  I just don’t know what I don’t know!  But it doesn’t matter!!!!    If my needs are being met and I’m becoming more proficient at using the tool, I feel successful.

Asking for help is a wonderful and necessary way to empower oneself and learn.  But don’t forget to be daring…. 

What happens if I press this button?

Hey…You….Guuuuys (and Gals)!!!

Attention Administrators and Educators

Maybe you’re a classroom teacher interested in the “next big thing” in education. Maybe you’re an administrator.  Maybe you’re one of my administrators.  I have an important message for all of you.  I want to be part of the Learning Revolution.  I want you to discover the Learning Revolution.  Does “Learning Revolution” sound intriguing?  Want to learn more?  Well, from what I’ve found, there’s no easy way to summarize it.  Summer vacation is approaching so we’ll all have a ton of free time (yeah, right).  Here’s a little research that will fill up your free time and most likely throw your views of education for a loop.  That’s what happened to me:

Visit these sites:

North American Council for Online Learning
“Blocking the Future” by Scott McLeod published on The School Administrator, May 2008
Castle:  UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education Iowa State University
“Middle Schoolers and MySpace”by Bill Ferriter published on The Tempered Radical
“Preparing Students to Succeed in the 21st Century” by Liz Davis published on The Power of Educational Technology
“School AUP 2.0″by David Warlick published on 2cents Worth
“Get Past Teaching Apps:  Build and Use a Student Technology Toolbelt” by Vicki Davis published on Cool Cat Teacher Blog
“The Evolution of PD” by Vicki Davis published on Cool Cat Teacher Blog
“Beyond the Fear Factor with Internet Safety” by Wesley Fryer published on Moving at the Speed of Creativity
“My Greatest Hits” by Liz Davis published on The Power of Educational Technology
“Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators”by Kathy Schrock published on Discovery Education

Watch these videos:

 ”We Think” posted on The Thinking Stick
“Wikis in Plain English”by CommonCraft
“Blogs in Plain English” by CommonCraft
“The Machine is Us/ing Us”  by mwesch on YouTube

 

Read These Books:

A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman
Here Comes Everyone by Clay Shirky
Everything is Miscellaneous by David Weinberger
The Media Equation by Byron Reeves & Clifford Nass
Redefining Literacy for the 21st Century by David Warlick
 

I’ll also be reading and collaborating on these subjects.  Let’s meet in September to discuss our endless options.  We can discuss professional development, AUP’s, Internet safety, Web2.0, etc, etc, etc.

**Have these blog posts and sites caught your interest?  Want to stay on top of the newest posts?  Set up an RSS Reader (such as Google Reader).  Simple explanation and instructions on RSS In Plain English by Common Craft.

Readers:  Please add to this list…I know there are great sites that I’m missing!  Thanks.

Title from:  The Electric Company Television Show 
Picture by: NECC Button contest winner:  Bill Moseley

This I Believe

Thank you to Lisa Thumann for including me in this intellectual game of tag.  Following the lead of Barry Bachenheimer, Lisa listed some key beliefs of her educational philosophy.  With a belly full of delicious banana pancakes (thank you Fiance’), I’m going to attempt the same:

I believe:

• learning should be student centered.  Educators know this, but we’re often confined by curriculum, administration or simple lack of time.
• educators, just like everyone else, need to be inspired by their leaders, and supported in their quest to achieve professional excellence.  This is not achieved by limiting professional development.
• a school building should be the original “educational network” (thanks to Vicki Davis for the term).  Many of us communicate, share and collaborate online, while in our own schools teachers are reluctant to open their doors and their lesson plans in order to foster a community of learners. 
• although Education is the business of learning, growing and changing, our society/politicians have not allowed Education to learn, grow or change as much as is needed to keep up with the 21st Century world.
• there is hope.  There are many educators who love helping children learn about their world.  In my opinion, that’s half the battle.

Ann Oro and Dan Callahan …..TAG, YOU’RE IT!