Final Project: Using Google to become a 21st Century Administrator
My Personal Vision:
Google's web-based tools can help improve collaboration and communication at my school in a number of ways. Since I am a 5th grade teacher, I will keep my vision relevant to what I can control myself. I plan to use the tools offered through Google to amp up the communication in my classroom, with my parents and my other grade level teacher. I plan to start by utilizing Google Calendar, Docs and Blogger.
I've learned much more than expected during the course of the past several weeks. What a nice surprise! It was great to not only learn about and begin learning how to use applications, but also to read about how other educators are using or are planning to use Google in the future. Some lessons I have learned are to start small and grow gradually, don't be afraid to try, and if I want to keep up with the world around me, Google has tools that can help me do just that.
My vision aligns well with the standards put forth in ISTE's National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators. A copy of this document can be found here by clicking on this link: http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets-a-standards.pdf?sfvrsn=2 . ISTE's documents states "Educational Administrators inspire and lead development and implementation of a shared vision for comprehensive integration of technology to promote excellence and support transformation throughout the organization." My vision allows me to lead by example to help my little school continue to transform into a school that uses technology as an integral tool to get the job done.
My Action Plan:
Three major goals for me during the upcoming school year include using Google Calendar for myself and sharing appropriate calendars with my students/parents and colleagues. Another goal is to use Google docs with both my students and among my colleagues. Finally, I would like to continue to develop my blog into something useful, that parents can view to "see" what's happening in their children's classroom, and the students can use as well to see themselves, reference assignments and find helpful links for assigned tasks.The steps that I will take include the following:
- Build my expertise and begin utilizing Google applications right away.
- Share what I've learned with my students and colleagues.
- Start at Open House by having my parents fill out a survey online while visiting my classroom.
- Use the lesson plans provided in the article 15 Little-Known Ways Google Can Help Teachers And Students to help my students make the most out of research.
- Post assignments that will allow the children to first practice with Google tools and then use them to complete increasingly difficult projects.
School staff that can best help me to implement my vision include support from my principal and my grade level teacher. I feel that once Kim and I get things rolling in 5th grade we will be able to spark an interest in other grade levels as well.
