BFTP: 7 opportunities: Google Apps and librarians

It was five years ago this fall that I helped roll GoogleApps for Education to all our students in the Mankato schools. (Teachers had been using it for about nine months. 

GAFE has been probably the most successful technology adoption I have experienced in my nearly 40 years in education. Used on a daily basis by staff and students alike, costing the taxpayer little or nothing to run, and providing a means of genuine communication and collaboration, I remain glad my district was among the earlier adopters (first launched in 2006 at the university level) and I can't imagine why any school would not provide this resource to its students and staff. Here are a couple posts from the early days...

7 opportunities: Google Apps and librarians

As we roll out GoogleApps for Education to our students this fall, I am just thinking about the implications for our school librarians. Off the top of my head, seven opportunities "MAPS Apps" present to us include:

1. This is our chance to be staff development gurus - again! It's a great chance not only to teach F2F at staff development sessions, but serve as role models: sharing documents, collaborating, and using these tools as teachers. You don't need to know much to be the expert in your school on GoogleApps for education. And such a reputation is gold.
2. We can teach students these tools as part of our IT/IL curriculum, using them for activities we would have used Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for in the past. We can accept responsibility for helping students use these resources safely and responsibly.
3. We can create templates and tools to help students during the research process. (I suspect Apps may be less cumbersome than managing wikis, blogs, etc. for project-long documentation.)
4. We can be the "go-to" support for students for one-on-one help with the apps including using Docs for file storage/portfolios, sharing documents for viewing and editing, using collaboration techniques, finding, making and sharing templates and solving any log-on/access problems.
5. We can use the tools for our own library information gathering efforts - conducting surveys, tracking classes (via calendar), and organizing data.
6. We can use e-mail, Groups and chat for communication with staff and students - information in real time rather than just newsletters.
7. We can use GoogleDocs for curriculum writing, lesson planning, and collaboration with teachers. We can use (and model) self-made video tutorials shared via GoogleVideo. We can create and use templates to share with our fellow librarians and teachers.

We can model a shift to a paperless, social, ubiquitous learning environment where doing stuff takes precedence over learning how to do stuff.

If we don't, who will?

Original post August 17, 2010

MAPS Apps: Letter to Students

Fall 2010

Dear ISD77 Student:

This fall you will be given a “MAPS Apps” account that will give you access to some exciting and useful online tools. These tools will include:

• an individual e-mail account
• a personal calendar
• a contacts list where you can store names, addresses and telephone numbers
• a word processor and a collection of helpful templates
• a spreadsheet and chart maker
• a presentation program
• a drawing tool
• a storage space for your documents

All of these tools will available through a web browser (like Firefox, Explorer or Netscape Safari) from any computer, anywhere, that is connected to the Internet. You will also be able to share your documents with your teachers and other students within the district. You will be able, with permission, to view and edit others’ work and have others view and edit your work. All tools and files you create will be stored on the Internet rather than on any specific computer or server.

Your library media specialist will be working with you to learn how to use these tools, will be reviewing the district’s policies related to the tools, and will give you your username and password (and help you if you forget them).

Please keep in mind that everyone must use these tools responsibly. This responsible use includes:

• using MAPS Apps for school purposes
• using MAPS Apps in ways that do not bully, harass or make others feel uncomfortable
• using “school appropriate” language and images in all your communications and creations
• respecting the work and privacy of others using the tools

You will find MAPS Apps to be very helpful in your daily work and give you practice using skills that will last a lifetime. Use it wisely and have fun!

Doug Johnson, Director of Media and Technology

Original post August 13, 2010

Comments

[Hank Thiele]

I remember those days. Everyone thought we were nuts. Now they can't work without these tools. :)

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Hank,

You were the REAL pioneer in the GAFE implementation story. I have learned most of what know about the product from you. Thank you!

Doug