The UCET Presentations Went Well

I presented four sessions on Web 2.0, Google Apps in the Classroom at the Annual UCET conference. They went well. The final session was packed, about 36 attendees while the others were attended by about 24 to 28 each.

I started with the basic Google then introduced Google as a GMail subscriber and the different benefits and features that an account introduces. I then moved to iGoogle and the customized start page concept, admitting that this was really nothing different from MSN or Yahoo start page. The real difference comes with what you can add to the start page, including Google Docs, Calendar, Chat, GMail, etc.

I then previewed our Google Apps start page and the benefits of the ideal set up, the full Google Apps hosted domain. I assumed that just a few attendees would be seriously interested in the full implementation so I left the technical stuff for last. The fourth session generated a lot of questions on that topic so I did demonstrate the management of the start page and user creation.
I felt that most attendees would be more interested in the Google Docs, Calendaring, and Chat aspects of the presentation so I spent most of the time in detail with those topics.

I was hoping to generate some contacts with other teachers who were doing Google Docs in the class room but most Google Docs users had not done so in the class room. There were testimonials in all sessions as to the benefits of the collaborative benefits of Google Docs. I did exchange email addresses with five individuals who wish to get more information on implementing Google Apps. Perhaps some reciprocal benefit will develop.

New Video Resource

In David Warlick's blog, I ran across a teachers resource called TeacherTube, a monitored version of YouTube. Also another website called techlearing.com dedicated to technology in the classroom. After learning about TeacherTube, I asked myself why Google wasn't doing more with video, especially live video. I investigated and determined that their Google Video only does video uploads and there is no process for streaming live.

Some Bloggers Using Google Docs

I found a few bloggers using Google Docs in the classroom through a forum on a Ning called Classroom 2.0. I learned that a ning is website of like-minded subscribers using all kinds of web 2.0 tools to share ideas and collaborate. Tools like a wiki, blog, forum, and groups.

UCET conference presentation upcomming

I received word that I will be presenting four sessions on Google Apps in the Classroom at the upcoming UCET conference at Taylorsville High School, Feb 29 and March 1. This will give me an opportunity to organize my thoughts on using Google Apps.

This will be a challenge in that the classroom for the presentation is a math lab and has only a single network connection for the presenter. I heard from one Granite teacher that the district blocks gmail (uncomfirmed). I wlll attempt to determine ahead of time if I will access to the learning domain I use at http:\\partnerpage.google.com\pcnet.jatc-sandy.org. In any event I will create a presentation in PowerPoint first and then upload that as a presentation on Google Docs.

Pioneers Must Blaze New Trails

My research this week shifted from concepts and techniques used in the Google Apps in the classroom to specific instances of educators using them. It seems this is so new, there are no cases of teachers using Google Apps in the classroom that can be documented.

I researched Google Groups relative to education. It appears that Google has an employee in charge of sending a bimonthly news letter to educators about the possibilities of using Google and some of their products. There are some postings but nothing specific to using Google Apps or Docs in the classroom.

I had left a posting some months ago about Wikispaces vs. PBWiki. Having used both in the classroom, I indicated my preference for Wikispaces. There have been no replies or even additional entries in that thread.

Hoping to generate some dialog on the subject specifically, I sent a message to the topic owner. Additionally, I created a Google Group entitled "Google Apps in the Classroom." No response as of the first week.

I have volunteered to present the concept of Google Apps in the classroom at a statewide conference of public educators called UCET, Utah Coalition for Educational Technology. I haven't received word of acceptance as yet, which may be an indication that there are a lot of other good things out there, or there is little interest in the topic on the part of the planners for the conference.

Back from Winter Break

After a wonderful winter break, I'm ready to get back after this process.

I have made an observation that one may intuitively understand with out a great deal of analysis. If I am diligent with updating the announcement document everyday, even if it states the obvious, the students are more likely to take a minute at the beginning of each class to read it. There has also emerged some peer tutoring events when those who have read the announcement document have important information that those who do not read do not. The students can be heard to say, "... if you would just read the announcements..."

I need to take another look at the usability survey presented to the students; I hope to reuse the survey as a formative evaluation tool as well as an indicator of student observations of the Google Apps project.