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!

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?