Showing Google to Principals

today I was able to meet with the principals in our district to show them the world of Google.  I use part of the same presentation I gave to the high school staff in early February.  This was different because I was not going to be teaching them how to use Google but just get them into the world of what Google Apps is and how it can be used.

there was great discussion about how it can be used and what it can do for productivity and students.  What I didn't have a clear picture of at the end of the session what who and how.  I get that people need training and time.  I know not everyone is going to spend their own time/money to learn everything Google like I did.  I find it interesting that they don't attend tech training, or even WORSE they come and they do absolutely nothing with what they learned.

Is it because:
a) they didn't learn anything new
b) they didn't learn anything
c) they don't know how to use what was demonstrated in their own classroom
d) they don't have they technology support needed to use these tools
e) all of the above

This is what keeps me thinking about what to do to help pull people forward.  The early adopters are on the train and we are pulling out the station, I am concerned for my peers who car is not even at the train station to get a ticket to board.

Anyone have any ideas?

Presentation to Faculty and Principals

Update on my hours.  Through the week of March 30 I have document 1,620 hours.

Google Apps Certified Trainer

While I was recovering from my ACL surgery I got the email.  My application was accepted to be a Google Apps Certified Trainer.  I was super excited.  I had already passed the 6 exams to be a Google Apps Education Individual Qualification.  I was not told by anyone to do this, I wanted to do it.  I was given the opportunity to get Google Apps setup for my school district.  I was the one responsible for making it work.  I needed to know as much as I can so this is successful for students and teachers.  The only way I could make sure I knew the "stuff" was to take the exams.

Through the process of taking and passing the exams there was not a ton more to do to become a certified trainer.  Here is what I needed to do:

• Complete a case study demonstrating your experience in technology instruction and/or professional development. Additional strong references from school or business clients are required.
• Submit a 2 minute video introduction about your background, role in education technology, and innovative approach to using Google Apps
• Create sample learning materials and produce a short video which demonstrates your familiarity with Google Apps features.
• Demonstrate extensive experience using and training Google Apps to educational organizations prior to application.
• Commit to conducting at least 3 professional development activities related to Google Apps every quarter

So now I need to conduct training sessions and keep going Google.  Can you tell I am excited!

Chromebooks

Had conference calls and several, several emails, but we are getting some Chromebooks. I have been looking for a way to get Google Apps more streamlined into teacher's classrooms. The lack of availability to computers and the very slow boot up time to our older laptops does not make it conducive to use the equipment. I can not even say how excited I am for the new piece of technology to come to Seymour.

 I just hope that I have some colleagues that will jump on the technology wave and use it to change how they work with students. I am not looking for go to the computer lab and type a paper, but change the type of assignments and interactions with the students to online.

 I have been doing more Google Doc assignments. I had students review websites and then share their assignments with me for grading. Much easier than printing documents (and greener too). Students do not seem concerned with going with this technology, at what point to my fellow teachers become leary of using it. I struggle with this because I always look for ways to learn and use more technology.

Google Apps Education Individual Qualification

Well it has taken me almost the entire 90 days but I did finish all 6 of the exams to become a qualified. I did learn a lot and I was really glad that I set that as a personal goal. Going through all of the apps and reading got me very prepared for the training session I helped organized for my high school. I felt very confident that I would be able to answer questions that individuals had. What I became more concerned about closer to that day was "did I help to prepare my peers who were assisting me in presenting enough". This though and worry did cause me to lose some sleep and eat more chocolate. In the end it went great and we got some great feedback on what was liked. In my latest meeting with my Ninja trainers from Seymour I am looking at offering a Lunch and Learn where I would go over some Google "stuff" during lunch in my computer lab. Nancy tossed out the idea of calling "Gobble with Google". I am now looking at planning the course of presentations and trying to market this to my district. The techie people I talk to think it will go over and people will attend, only time will tell. I can certainly tell that I am glad to have taken myself down the road of become Google Apps Education Individual Qualified. Now I just have to become a Google Certified Teacher. I am ready for the challenge of making that video. On my hours count it is mid/end February and I have for the school year a total of 1448.5 hours in already (if I did the math right counting for 40 hour work weeks that would be already 9 months worked).