The State of Tech: The State of Tech Live

The State of Tech: The State of Tech Live: The Next State of Tech Live on Saturday, March 9th at 4:00 pm EST.  The topic for the show will be "The Best Chrome Apps & Extensions.

Upcoming Workshops & Presentations

April 1, 12:30-1:30, Intro to Google+ Hangouts, LESCN Conference, Meredith, NH
Google+ Hangouts is a simple effective platform for teaching andcommunicating in real
time with others. . Join us for this introduction to how Google+ Hangouts can used to enhance and engage your students and staff!

April 12, Google Apps Edu Reboot for Certified Trainers, Google, Inc NYC

April 27-28th, Google Apps in Education UK Summit, Halifax,  England

July 11, 2013, CloudCampNH, UNH Manchester

This 'beginners' tutorial is broken into 5 segments. Students can follow from Segment 1-5, creating a 'Fit Club Customer Survey' (demo). Each question type is covered. When you are finished you will be very capable of leveraging your use of Google Forms and you'll be ready to 'level up!'

gClass Folders Version 2 Updated Directions

Use this quick link to gClass Folders v2 - (click on the link and make a copy of the spreadsheet)

What are gClass Folders?

gClass folders is just a name of a 'template' that will let you easily set up for your class & students folders in Google Drive. By populating a spreadsheet with your student information with a simple 'click' you can produce this:

Example of gClass Folders -English w/ multi-period; and Social Studies - one block

Class Edit ~ These will be files that are editable by everyone in the classExample: Group assignments 

Class View ~ These will be files that are only viewable by everyone in the classExample: Syllabus, worksheet templates 

Teacher ~ This is a folder used by gClassHub to store files that integrate with the applications. This is only viewable by the TeacherExample: Doctopus 

Assignment Folders ~ This is only between the teacher and the particular student.Example: Student work

Directions for Setting up your gClass Folders
Get Your Spreadsheet

1. Make a copy of gClassFolders and create a new document.

Populate your Spreadsheet

1. Enter the information pertaining to your class(es). 

Set up the Script

1. Click the gClassFolders menu>Select 'Initial Settings' 
2. In the Red Authorization Box, click OK to authorize. 
3. Click 'Close' on Authorization Status. 
4. Click on the gClass Folder Menu>'Initial Settings' again to modify your settings 
5. Rename Assignment Folders to Dropboxes and Assignment Folder to Dropbox (see image to right). 

Sort your Sheet

1. Click on gClass Folders menu 
2. Select Sort Sheet 

Create Folders

1. Click on gClass Folders 
2. Select Create gClass Folders and Shares 

If you are the teacher who has created the folders, you should now see the class folders in your Drive
Student Instructions

1. Students should go to their "Drive" 
2. Create a Folder for their class 
3. Click "Shared With Me" 
4. Drag the Class Edit, Class View, and their class dropbox to the folder they just created in Drive.

Formative Assessment can be provided through the use of comments within the page. Teachers and students can choose to be notified via email when new comments are added and view them as a stream within the document itself.

For Future Reference: Far From Faltering in Digital Age, Libraries Thrive as Community Hubs | Valley News

For Future Reference: Far From Faltering in Digital Age, Libraries Thrive as Community Hubs | Valley News

I am looking forward to the North of England Summit this spring where I will be presenting:

Google Apps Treasure Trove
Google Apps has so much to offer and 'even more.'  In this 'ignite' style session take a look at many of the 'treasures' Google has to offer and with resources that will allow to explore and utilize long after you leave.  Learn unique trick and tips for common core apps such as mail, forms, and search... and discover some treasures you never knew existed!   

One hour presentations go by so fast, I plan to highlight some of may favorite tips, tricks, features, and resources for using Google in Education and provide resources to help you put them to use when you get back home!

One of the reasons I am especially keen on this event is because I will get to connect with people I had the privilege of meeting and working with at the 1st European Google in Education Summit in Prague last October.  +Dan Taylor and his team are great and I look forward to connecting with +Mark Allen and hoping that Dan doesn't schedule my session at the same time he is presenting.  I am expecting two days of high impact, positive energy, learning and most of all, fun. 

Many educational conferences are paid for by school districts and organizations.  What is unique about the Google Summits, is that many of us traveling and attending these summits do it on our own tab and are willing to invest our own funds because it is such a worthwhile experience!  

Join us at the Halifax for the North of England Google in Education Summit!  www.uksummit.org

Becoming Google Apps for Education Certified

I am often asked what the difference is between a Google Qualified Individual, Certified Trainer and Certified Teacher and how to go about earning these qualifications.  All good questions and very easily addressed.  Here is a breakdown of the differences and resources for following your Google 'Certified' Path.

---

"Qualified Individual" applicants must:

• Pass online examinations testing your comprehensive knowledge of Google Apps for Education. (To prepare for the exams, we strongly suggest reviewing the six training modules of training content in the Google Apps Education Training Center.)
• Upon completion of the exams, you will receive a Qualified Individual certificate which grants you this status for 12 months

Train for Exams

Register and Take Exams

---

"Certified Trainer" individual applicants must:

• Have previously achieved ‘Qualified Individual’ status.
• 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

More About Certified Trainer

Certified Trainer Application

---

To become a 'Google Certified Teacher' you must attend a Google Teacher Academy:

    The GTA is a FREE professional development experience designed to help primary and secondary educators from around the globe get the most from innovative technologies. Produced by CUE, each Academy is an intensive, two-day event during which participants get hands-on experience with Google's free products and other technologies, learn about innovative instructional strategies, receive resources to share with colleagues, and immerse themselves in a supportive community of educators making impact.

The GTA is offered a few times per year in different locations.  You must apply for acceptance into the academy.  

Everything you need to know is posted on the Google Teacher Academy Site.