Google Teacher's Academy Seattle

Today is the Google Teacher's Academy in Seattle.  The energy of the new cohort of GCT's is already contagious and although I'm one of the lead learners at the event, I can't wait for a day of learning from everyone in the room.  They day will go too quickly and there won't be enough time to network with everyone but it is guaranteed to be an inspiring and outrageously fun day!  Let the fun begin!

Chicago Google Apps for Education Certified Trainer Meet Up 2011

Today I had the chance to meet up with about 16 other Google Apps for Education Certified Trainers at the Google Chicago office.  After any type of training, conference or workshop I try to come away with a BIG 3 so I can really focus on three things I learned and can put into action.  Unfortunately, because of Non-Disclosure I can’t share all the really exciting things that are on the Road Map for Google Apps for Education, but know that we were all really excited about the enhancements down the road for GAFE.  With my BIG 3 I try to have 1 thing I can do on Monday, 1 thing I can do in the next few months, and 1 thing that I’ll do when I get around to having a little time on my hands.

BIG 3 from the May 2011 Google Apps for EDU Certified Trainer Meet Up

1. Apps Scripts- I wrote my first Google Apps Script which was really cool, but I learned that there are templates for Scripts just like everything else Google.  There is an amazing mail merge script that takes a persons name, address and email and creates a mail merge with a personalized map and directions to a location, like a meeting or event.  Here is the template gallery for Apps Scripts.  http://code.google.com/googleapps/appsscript/templates.html
My #1 of my BIG 3 is to explore the template gallery for scripts.  Their motto... “Don’t hate...automate.”

2. The Creek Squad was a video shown by the #appsct trainers from Iowa who have empowered 7th and 8th grade students to be Google Apps trainers for the teachers in their building.  These students are experts in Google Apps and help to train teachers how to leverage the power of Google Apps.  They have even been asked by other districts to train teachers in the deployment of GAFE.  Google is going to be releasing a video showcasing their “Creek Squad” success.  My #2 is to help empower students to be the trainers and leaders in helping teach teachers about technology and the power of technology in learning.  In Edina, we have recently launched a “Smart Bar” which is tech support and training by students for teachers.  Because of the “Creek Squad” video I’m excited to see the potential of this group in how they lead the way with technology in Edina.  Never underestimate the power and influence of students.

3.  So this is a strange #3 but as I was using the bathroom at Google during a break I found that I spent a few more moments in the stall than usual.  Now you may be thinking this is a strange thing to be sharing on a blog, but what kept me in the stall was something called “Learning in the Loo.”  I was reading some REALLY great tips on how to manage my gmail better on a flyer that was hanging on the back of the stall I was in.   Learning in the Loo really is a great strategy as you’ve got a very captive audience!  I would love to send out a few flyers throughout the year for the teachers to put in the student’s stalls and for me to put in the staff bathrooms.  So, sometime in the next school year I’d love to start Learning in the Loo at Edina.  

All in all, the #appsct was a great meet up because of networking face to face with so many people that you “know” virtually.  The side conversations, lunch chat and beverage at Harry Carry’s was so beneficial to the hard work we all do in helping teachers and students leverage the collaboration and communication power of Google Apps.  I’m excited about the launches that are just around the corner and in the future for the Google Apps suite.  I’m also really proud of my Edina teachers and students and the amazing ways that they are using Google Apps for Education for learning, networking, communicating, publishing and collaborating. 

Molly and Andy 1/2 of the Central GAFE Users Group Facilitators

More photos from the Google Chicago Office

Create a Google Sites Logo using ColourLovers and Picnik

Want to create a fun logo for your Google Site or classroom web page?  View this screencast to see how you can create fun logos and images using ColourLovers and Picnik.

Flipped Education Launches Superhero 2011

Today our company, Flipped Education, launched our first event called Superhero!

technology. education. networking. up north.

Superhero is designed to match technology-education minded attendees with innovative and engaging presenters to change education through technology.  Superhero is built to expand our personal learning networks with a weekend of socialization, learning and fun up north.

Superhero is different by design.  In addition to the hands on, engaging workshops, there will be casual social times, long lunches and social events built into the schedule in order for participants and attendees to connect with each other, learn from each other and grow our personal learning networks.  The power of this time together will be the “What if…” conversations that happen over coffee looking out over the lake, a brisk morning run, post lunch chat, in hands-on sessions, playing bocce ball, late night saunas, canoeing on the lake, on the putting green or golf course, drinks at the pub or anytime in-between.  Networking will be a priority.

Superhero

Dates: Friday October 21st - Saturday October 22nd

Registration 9 -10 am Friday

Optional Superhero UnConference Thursday night

Cost: $250 (plus the cost of rooms, see below)

Check with your Professional Development Committee to cover your registration.

Registration includes...

2 Hands-on sessions Friday + lunch

2 Hands-on sessions Saturday + lunch

Networking Events

Superhero Surprises throughout the weekend

Room Reservations: Madden's Resort, Brainerd, MN

All Inclusive: Rate includes breakfast, dinner, service and tax

Based on double occupancy (2 people per room). Saturday night stay required.

**Kids stay free and all Madden's activities, including golf, are included.

 

All Inclusive 2 nights at Madden's: $271 (Fri - Sat)

 

 A weekend of learning, networking and saving the world! Join us!

Register Now!

 

Follow Flipped Education on Twitter:@flippededu

April and May Links of the Month

Highlights

State Research Projects Going Google

Planning a summer vacation to a state you’ve never visited?  Look no further than Edina Public School’s fourth grade state research project websites.  

Every year the fourth grade students in Edina Public Schools do a research project on the United
States.  Each student is assigned a state that he or she researches using printed materials, media and the internet. The end result used to be a tri-fold brochure, but now, thanks to Google Apps for Education, each student creates a web site.

With the adoption of Google Apps for Education we were able to transform this state research
project into a relevant and engaging project for the students.  Instead of brochures, students create a web site using Google Sites.

Another aspect of the project is to make a map in Google Maps. Using the My Maps feature, the
students tag three areas of interest or fun facts about their state. The map is embedded into their
Google Site using the unique URL generated by the App.   

Then, using Google Forms, each student creates a five-question quiz that is placed on the front page of his or her web site. On the last day of the project, the students go into the computer lab, visit each other’s sites and take the quizzes. The teachers then use Google Spreadsheet to collect the answers and summarize them in a graph.

The students were energetically engaged in this project, as it was the first web site most students had ever created. They loved creating this website for an audience of people outside of their classroom walls. For the teachers, this was an eye-opening project. We all know that excellent teaching is the reason behind all learning, but this project shows that the content the students were learning didn’t change, but how the students were learning and sharing did change.

Integrating Google Apps for Education has transformed the perspective that teachers and students have about their world. Google Apps for education provides tools that engage students in projects and learning outside of their classroom walls. Collaboration, sharing and publishing using Google Apps means students have tools that connect them to their peers, teachers, community, parents and world.

   

The simple transformation of creating web sites instead of brochures is a great example of how we can engage students and unleash their passion for learning in new and meaningful ways.

At Edina Public Schools, we are excited not only about what our students learn but about how they are learning. Google Apps for Education allows our students to stay current in the evolving world of technology while engaging deeply with their academic pursuits. Students are now learning without boundaries, any time, anywhere.

The next time you are planning a trip in the United States, let me know and I can hook you up with some amateur, but tech-savvy travel agents.

4th Grade State Research Websites

Edina is Selected as 1 of 10 featured organizations in Google's "Gone Google" ad campaing

Edina Public Schools was selected as 1 of 10 global winners in an Ad Campaign by Google to be showcased in their Gone Google Campaign. 

 See our story below!

Google's Blog Post about the Campaign Winners


Google's Enterprise Blog Post

Google Apps has been an invaluable learning tool for students and teachers at Edina Public Schools. As a technology integration specialist for Edina Public Schools, I am Google Certified Teacher and a Google Apps for Education Certified Trainer, Over the past year and a half, my team launched Google Apps at Edina Public Schools. Google Apps has transformed our ability to help students and staff engage in learning.

Staff and students have been using Google Docs, Google Sites, Picasa, Blogger, and Google Maps to work efficiently and collaboratively. Teachers rely on Google Apps for theirclassroom web presence, staff development and collaborative projects. Students create state research projects, websites and online portfolios of their work. Google Apps enables them to collaborate, submit and publish their work online, allowing them to communicate with an audience broader than their classroom. Even parents benefit from Google Apps -- using Google Docs to sign up for conferences and volunteer opportunities.

At Edina Public Schools, we are excited not only about what our students learn but about how they are learning. Google Apps for Education allows our students to stay current in the evolving world of technology while engaging deeply with their academic pursuits. Students are now learning without boundaries, any time, anywhere.

I did a Fox 9 News Story about our "Going Google" Campaing award on March 31st.

Posted by: Molly Schroeder, Technology Integration Specialist, Edina Public Schools