Google tools offer real advantages to educators: They’re free, fairly simple, and promote collaboration.  Another key trait of Google products is that they are web-based.  In other words, as long as you can get online and remember your password, you can access your work.  Another feature is the ease of version control.  It’s easy to determine who contributed what to your documents or spreadsheets.  This can greatly reduce the “email trail”!



Some ideas about use of Google tools in an educational setting?  Here are some starters:

1.        Writing to a shared spreadsheet to get data on common assessments

2.       School wide-authorship of school improvement plans

3.       Curriculum writing across grade levels, or even buildings.

What are your ideas?  Please share your “take-aways” and possible plans for Google Products.







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The kids in your classes are wired! (Funny how the context to that word has changed!)  We mean, of course, that they have grow up in a media-rich environment.  In tonight’s Monday Model, we’ll discuss the link between visual presentation and learning theories.  Also, we’ll learn how to super-charge our presentations with connected videos and audio.  Finally, we’ll brainstorm how PowerPoint isn’t just a teacher’s tool—it can be an excellent way for your students to demonstrate their learning.

Please post your reactions to tonight’s class and share out your “take-aways”.  Feel free to offer your instructors feedback, too.

A link to resources is located here:

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Do you have access to these tools in your school?  How are you using them?  Do you see advantages to either the document camera or the Smartboard?  Please share your thoughts, plans, and experiences. 

Our first Monday Models was a big hit--in fact, we had our biggest turnout ever.  Please use this blog to give us (the Instructional Technology Team) feedback, to share ideas, and to contribute to the conversation.  Thanks for working with us!

Some starter questions:  How can we differentiate our classes to meet the needs of our adult audience?  What kind of follow up support can we offer?  How will you use these technologies with your students?