Google Tools for Schools eHandbook Volume 1 Updated July 1, 2013
Table of Content Chapter 1 Using Google Chrome to access the Internet Google Chrome Checklist: Chapter 2 Creating Your Personal/Professional Google Account Google Account Checklist: Chapter 3 Creating a Google+ Profile Google+ Checklist: Chapter 4 Google+ Safety and Privacy Resources Google Privacy and Safety Checklist Chapter 5 Google+ Communities Google+ Communities Checklist Chapter 6 New Culture of Learning using Virtual Studio Space / Checklist and Networked Communities New Culture of Learning using Virtual Studio Space / Checklist and Networked Communities Chapter 7 Explore your Chromebook Chromebook Checklist Chapter 8 Why Google Apps Why Google Apps Checklist Chapter 9 Exploring Common Core Resources Exploring Common Core Checklist
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The Google Tools for Schools (GTFS) professional development events are led by a group of Google Tools specialists who guide hundreds of educators through the journey of learning how to use Google Tools in Schools to support teaching and learning. GTFS specialists also create opportunities for educators to connect, collaborate, and construct resources that can support a spiral learning journey, where we all grow in our understanding of how to use Google Tools in powerful ways. During this spiral learning journey you will get an OVERVIEW of several Google Tools and how each of these tools may be used in schools. You will get an opportunity to PRACTICE using this tool by participating in a handson activity that uses the tool. Some of you may take on the CHALLENGE of creating your own artifact from scratch using some of the Google Tools that have the most potential for you. You’ll surely want to DIG DEEPER into some of the Google Tools to learn some advanced features. And for those of you with access to mobile devices (including students who carry around an iPod touch or smart phone), exploring MOBILE LEARNING tips and tricks with Google Tools will increase your use of Google Tools beyond the classroom walls. This ebook will help you get started and be a handy reference book as you learn new tools or revisit the tool to learn more. As digital tools change quickly, you should make sure you have the latest version of this ebook or use the ONLINE version at www.GoogleToolsForSchools.org Each of these chapters will include a checklist to scaffold you through each round of this spiral learning journey. We will use the following symbol to help you identify the key resources and optional resources during the early stages of this spiral learning journey. Each item that contains two stars** is a MUST DO or MUST READ/WATCH for those new to Google Tools. Each item that includes one star* is one that you should at least click on so that you can be familiar that this resource exists and what it contains so that you can come back to it later as needed. If it is a long video, consider watching a few minutes of the video. If it is text based, consider skimming the first page, table of contents, or a few links. Perhaps you will want to bookmark this page for easy reference. Resources without any stars are included for those who might want to Dig Deeper into this topic, and are totally optional and are included for those of you who are curious about this topic and would like to explore it further.
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Chapter 1 - Using Google Chrome to access the Internet There are several browsers that people use to access the Internet. Some of these include Internet Explorer Firefox Safari Chrome and a few more
The browser you use is your window or door to the Internet. Which do you use? In today’s world, it is common to have more than one browser installed on your computer. Some sites work well no matter what browser you use. Other sites seem to work better with some browsers than others. For this class, we are going to ask you to download the Chrome browser. The Chrome Browser was created by Google. It is extremely fast and contains all the features of a modern browser. Many people use more than one browser. I usually use Chrome whenever I’m logged into my professional/personal Google account, then use a different browser such as Safari or Firefox to log into a second Google account. This gives me a visual way to keep track of which Google account I’m logged into. We’ll learn more about the Chrome Browser by using it throughout this course. But for now, let’s make sure you have the Chrome Browser downloaded on your computer.
Checklist: Google Chrome ● ● ● ●
Download the Chrome Browser on your computer** Read more about Chrome by clicking on each tab (Speed Simplicity and Security) * Watch some Chrome Browser tutorials or reviews ○ Chrome Tutorial by Jason Markey (11 min) Skim through the Google Chrome Help pages by Google *
We will learn more about SIGNING into Chrome later in this ebook. If you are eager to learn more about when, why, and how to sign into the Chrome Web Browser, feel free to jump ahead to this section. Otherwise, let’s get started and use the Chrome browser as a simple, fast, secure web Google Tools For Schools eHandbook Page 3
browser (without signing into Chrome).
Chapter 2 - Creating Your Personal/Professional Google Account Some of you have a personal gmail or Google Account. Some of you have a school issued Google Apps Account Some of you have more than one Google Account Believe it or not, there are some very compelling reasons to have more than one Google account. For example, having a schoolrelated Google Apps account allows you to work more closely with members of your organization or school. When members of the same organization use Google Apps they have access to amazing TEAM collaboration options. Whether it be to collaborate between you and your colleagues or between you and your students, having a Google Apps account in your organization or school will fuel the culture of collaboration. But having ONE Google account that is your individual professional/personal Google account that is NOT associated with your school or organization also has some powerful advantages.It allows you to participate in the FULL Google experience. By having your own personal/ professional Google account, you can try services and features that might not be available with your school or organization account.Having your own personal/professional account will allow you to create materials that you will have access to even when you no longer work for your school or organization (Resume, digital portfolio, etc.).. Having your own personal/professional account encourages you to use Google Tools for personal productivity, shopping, connecting with family members or friends. Since we want you to experience the power of all the Google Tools, we are going to ask you to begin your participation with Google Tools for School using a personal/professional Google account. You will use this account to participate in the orientation and the preconference activities. By the time we get ready to start working on final projects, you will be comfortable using both your organization’s Google account and your personal/professional account, and you will create your final project using the best account for the outcomes you seek. If you don't have a personal/professional Google account, go ahead and create one now. Then you'll be ready to set up your Chromebook, set up your Google+ profile, and join our Google Tools for Schools communities.
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Checklist: Google Accounts ● ● ●
Read / Listen to “Why 2 Google Accounts” Watch Creating Your Google Account tutorial video Create a public/personal Google Account**
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Chapter 3 Creating a Google+ Profile Google Tools for Schools will use Google+ to connect participants of our Google Tools for Schools Professional Development events. By connecting you to the hundreds of educators learning about Google Tools for Schools, you can find other educators with similar interests to collaborate with, learn with, or learn from. We will also connect you with a smaller group of GTFS participants who attended your specific GTFS Professional Development event. As you become more comfortable with the various features of Google+, you will certainly reach out and want to connect with broader communities of Google+ users on all types of topics from Google Apps for Education, Chromebooks, Common Core, personal hobbies, and much more. Your new Google+ profile will become a ticket to lifelong learning opportunities. So let’s get started by creating a Google+ account.
Checklist: Google+ Quick Peek at Google+ video Quick Peek at Google+ Profile video Step by Step GTFS video Tutorial for Setting up your Google+ account* Google+ Circles video tutorial Google+ Updates Video Playlist from Google Create a Google+ Profile using your public/personal Google account** Google HELP Files Getting Started with Google Plus
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Chapter 4 Google+ Safety and Privacy Resources In this rapidly changing world, it’s important to consider how new tools and opportunities are changing our understanding of privacy, safety, and responsibility. Just as a successful social media experience requires “many people” to be involved, connecting, and creating, it also requires “many people” to be involved in creating a culture of respect with a desire to keep everyone safe. Google and many Googleusing educators, parents, and students frequently share tips and resources to help answer your questions on the topics of safety and privacy. There is also a growing number of resources available for students, parents, and educators. When choosing to use digital tools in our schools, we are choosing to take on the responsibility of educating ourselves and our students on both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with using these tools. Google Apps for Education provides schools with access to a core suite of tools. The agreement that your school signed with Google pertains to the core Google Tools, such as Google Drive, Google Sites, and Google Mail. When signing that agreement, your school agreed to take on the responsibility of getting parental permission to use this core suite of tools and working with parents to educate and supervise students as they use this core suite of Google Tools. Google Tools for Schools will include professional development on many Google Tools that reach beyond the “core suite” of Google Apps for Education tools. By learning to use these tools, you can experience the opportunities for teaching and learning provided. Becoming more familiar with each of these tools will help you decide which tools to include in your learning landscape and what topics to include in your lessons that prepare your students for using these tools safely. Discussions with your colleagues and parents can help you select which tools, procedures, policies, and lessons best meet your goals of preparing the next generation of digital citizens. The Google Safety Center can help you get started.
Many schools have developed exemplary policies, procedures, and practices that allow teachers
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and students to make full use of Google Tools outside the core suite of Google Apps for Education (such as Google Maps, Blogger, YouTube, etc. ) whose terms of service are not covered by the original Google Apps for Education Core Suite School Agreement. Connecting with other educators using Google Tools can provide you with some powerful examples of how to use these tools in powerful and safe ways. It is important to note that students under 13 years old may not use Google+. Schools should take care to arrange their Google+ users who are under 13 into a group that prevents them from accidentally creating a Google+ profile. The Google Safety Center can help you get started.
Checklist: Google Privacy and Safety
Review resources in the Google Safety Center** Review other usercreated resources Who Can See My G+ Post by Bjorn Behrendt Sample Permission Slips, Procedures, Policies
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Chapter 5 - Google+ Communities The power of Google+ lies in the connections you make with other G+ users. Google Tools for Schools creates opportunities for you to connect with other members of GTFS professional development events. As you become proficient with your use of Google+, we encourage you to connect with more global communities on topics that interest you, such as Google Apps in Education, Chromebooks, Common Core, hobbies, or other areas of interest. During this GTFS journey we suggest that you create a Google+ Circle called “GTFS” where you follow and add other participants related to this PD opportunity. You might want to create a Google+ Circle for your instructors only, or a Google+ Circle for participants from your GTFS cadres/location, or your school, or your age grade cluster or content area. Remember that you can add anyone to as many circles as you want. I sometimes use the word “category” as a substitute for “circle”. Although participants may receive a notice that you added them to a circle, they will not know which circle(s) you added them to. Along with PEOPLE, you can also follow PAGES on Google Plus. A Google+ page could be the name of a special event (like the Olympics) or organization (like Red Cross). To find our Google Tools for Schools page, click on the Pages and type in “Google Tools for Schools” in the search box. You will find some pages that use these words, but it should be easy to distinguish our official Google Tools for Schools G+ page by the logo and number of members. Click on FOLLOW. This is similar to a “Like” on Facebook, and will set you up to get important updates from Google Tools for Schools, rather than from individual GTFS participants.
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Google Tools for Schools has several private communities for participants of GTFS professional development events. Start by searching and joining the Google Tools for Schools community. (Review this tutorial video if you need help.) You will notice the square Google Tools icon as a symbol for this community. This community is semiprivate. You can find this community by searching it, but MUST request to join. Only members who are associated with GTFS events will be approved. This gives the community a common experience and will help shape its identity. We will use the Discussion Categories within the community to share announcements, assignments, and have conversations around special topics like Common Core, casual chats, collaborations, etc. You may choose not to read everything in this community every time you log into the community, but you should always check the IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS for time sensitive information.
You will also be invited to to join another GTFS community that includes only the members of your individual GTFS Professional Development event. If you do not receive this invitation, please contact the GTFS instructor leading your GTFS event. These private GTFS PD communities have private settings and users cannot search for them or request to join. The invitation should arrive in your NOTIFICATION like this.
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Check out this video tutorial of how to accept the invitation, set notifications, and post to this individual PD Google+ community. When you start feeling comfortable with interacting in Google+ communities, you may want to search and join more global communities such as GAFE or GAFE Chromebooks EDU, Common Core Conversations, Common Core Projects, or other personal interest. Join a few communities. Its okay to lurk (just read without posting) when you first join a community. As you start to feel connected to the community members from reading their posts, you will start to feel more comfortable asking questions or sharing resources or insights with your new Google+ communities. As you join more and more communities, you will want to be more selective about which ones you get notifications from and whether you get those notifications in your email, by text, by phone or in your notification box only. You can even turn notifications off completely for some communities by clicking on this icon.
Checklist: Google+ Communities Video Tutorial on Joining broader GTFS Community Create Google+ Circle for GTFS participants** Follow the Google Tools for Schools Page** Join the broader Join the GTFS Greater Community ** Video Tutorial for Accepting Invites to individual GTFS PD Communities Accept Invitation to Individual GTFS PD community ** Join Global Google+ communities (i.e GAFE or GAFE Chromebooks EDU, Common Core Conversations, Common Core Projects, personal interest)*
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Chapter 6 New Culture of Learning using Virtual Studio Space / Checklist and Networked Communities The Google Tools for Schools PD events are built on the philosophy expressed by John Seely Brown in this video on “Tinkering as a Mode of Knowledge Production”. Take some time to watch this 10 minute video of John Seely Brown sharing the metaphor of the architectural studio as a way to build powerful learning communities where all work in progress is made public so that every learner can learn from watching the progress of others. John Seely Brown discusses how a networked learning environment can help us build communities where we create, reflect, and share. We will use several tools to reproduce the concept of learning in an architectural studio. We have set up a Google Spreadsheet where you will enter your Google email address. These addresses will be available to you so that you can INVITE others to collaborate with you throughout the course or GTFS PD event. You will learn how to invite others to collaborate with you, to comment, or to view your work as we progress on our learning journey. Access to this list of Google email addresses will become very important. Each of you will be given a column in the spreadsheet; this will be your “virtual studio space”. Please contact your instructor if you are unable to locate the link to your Virtual Studio Space/Checklist.
During the workshops you will be asked to put links/URLs to your work in your studio space. These will not always be finished works, but works in progress. This gives others a view into your progress. We will all learn from each other’s progress. It will also serve to give you an organized “checklist” of the different tasks you complete through this learning journey. This way, you and your instructor can keep track of the tasks as you complete them. This checklist
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approach was help keep you organized. Be careful that you are only adding to your column of the Virtual Studio Space/Checklist. You might choose to color code your column to help you easily identify it. The Virtual Studio Space/Checklist will start off “open” to all who have the link. Your instructor will provide you with that link. As soon as everyone has completed the orientation, this Virtual Spreadsheet will be made private and only viewable by participants when they are logged in. If you do not have access to this spreadsheet, contact your instructor(s). The GTFS communities will be another tool used to support the building of a peer based learning culture, where others will learn from what you share. By being open to feedback and providing it to others, we can grow our own knowledge. We will also use Google Tools to create virtual galleries of what we build together. We will encourage you to create, remix, share, and allow others to build upon your work (with credit) via a Creative Commons License. Google Tools will allow us to stand on the shoulders of those around us and share what we make (and remake). Your identity will be constructed by how you participate in this networked learning environment as you experience a new culture of learning. (More information about the work of Douglas Thomas and John Seely Brown can be found at http://www.newcultureoflearning.com/.)
Checklist: New Culture of Learning (Virtual Studio Space,Checklist and Networked Communities) John Seely Brown Video Tinkering as a means of Knowledge Construction Fill out your Google account Email addresses on the Virtual Studio Space/Checklist ** Check off the Orientation Tasks as you complete them on Virtual Studio Space/Checklist **
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Chapter 7 Explore your Chromebook During the next few weeks, you will be exploring the Chromebook as a production tool. The Chromebook is a tool which was not readily accepted a few years back. But as Internet connectivity has become more commonplace and the price point has dropped, the easyon, long battery life tool to access cloud based tools have started to grow in popularity. During this class, you will gain a better understanding of this tool along with the opportunities and challenges it brings to learning environments. Here are some resources you can use as you explore your new Chromebook: ■ ■ ■ ■
Getting Started Guide on Chromebook Chrome OS: Why Chromebooks? by Bjorn Behrendt and Eric Hall ChromeStory Chrome EDU G+ Community
Checklist: Chromebook ~Charge your Chromebook** ~Create an Account on your Chromebook and Sign in** ~Make sure you are NOT signed in as GUEST* ~Take a picture with your Chromebook* ~Learn how to use the camera App on your Chromebook* ~Take and save pictures with your Chromebook camera* ~Add a Bookmark the Google Tools For Schools page on your Chromebook bookmark bar* ~Access the Internet with your Chromebook**
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Chapter 8 Why Google Apps There are more than a dozen Google Tools that we could explore in any GTFS Professional Development series. As more tools are introduced and more features get added to these tools, it becomes imperative that we guide you to new ways of learning and keeping up with the changes in a learning landscape filled with ever changing digital tools. But, more important than learning the features of each tool is understanding how these tools might be used. During the weeks prior to our facetoface meetings in July, you will notice regular entries being posted to our greater Google Tools for Schools community that include examples of how the Google Tools can support teaching and learning. You can find these post by clicking on the WHY GOOGLE APPS category of our greater Google Plus Community. Please take some time to review these posts and learn more about the different tools and why you might find each tool useful in a teaching and learning environment. As you review each example, take note of which Google Tool made it possible. This will provide you with insight on which tools you will choose to explore in more detail during our facetoface GTFS PD event. Make comments on at least 4 examples that offer relevance to your work as an educator. The comment might be how you could adapt the example, an “aha” (insight that comes from viewing the example), or a different way you might use the tool.
Checklist: Why Google Apps Review Why Google Tools Stream from GTFS community ** Post 4 comments on “Why GTFS” examples**
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Chapter 9 Exploring Common Core Resources Google Tools provide many opportunities for educators to meet Common Core standards and practices. During the next few weeks, you should begin to explore Common Core resources and start thinking of how you could use Google Tools to create learning environments that meet Common Core standards and make kids more college and career ready. Since we are not going to tell which EXACTLY which Common Core readings to explore we are calling this “self directed reading” about the Common Core. Here are some places you can start
1) Google Apps Meets the Common Core optional textbook Google Apps Meets Common Core by Michael J. Graham (Apr 23, 2013) - Kindle eBook $27.99 Kindle Edition
2) Regular Post to the Google Tools Greater Community in the category Common Core Discussion You will see new post being shared here over the next few weeks. 3) Any Common Core resources that you find on your own or that you are exploring in other professional development courses (Keep a list or bookmark links to the resources you find, or share them in the Common Core Discussion in our Google Plus Community Graham’s book (included in the syllabus as an optional text) can provide you with some explicit connections between Google Tools and the Common Core. It is available in hard copy and Kindle edition. Those of you who would prefer to see some more explicit connections between the basic Google Apps and Common Core might prefer to purchase this book as your Common Core reading for this course. Google Apps Meets Common Core by Michael J. Graham (Apr 23, 2013) - Kindle eBook $27.99 Kindle Edition You can read this Kindle Book book from your Chromebook using the Chrome - Cloud Reader. Download Chrome Web Store Cloud Reader https://chrome.google.com/.../cloudreader/icdipabjmbhpdkjaihfjoikhjjen...
If you have some favorite Common Core resources from your own exploration of the Common Core, please feel free to use these to complete the Common Core Self Directed Reading. You
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will want to bookmark them and can certainly choose to share them in the GTFS Greater Community under the Common Core Discussion Category.
When we meet together in July, we will collaborate on a Common Core project. Each of us will bring different perspective to this project depending on what we chose to read about the Common Core, previous training, and our own educational expertise. To prepare for this activity, you should pull a least one quote from your Common Core
selfdirected reading that connects with your practice as an educator. Write a brief entry to share that quote and why it is relevant to your professional responsibility. You will share it with the Google Tools community. You will notice a POST in the COMMUNITY in the Common Core category that prompts you to share your reflection Sometimes between Orientation and our first class, you should reply to this prompt and share ONE quote you found about the Common Core that resonated with you and why you connected with it. Don't forget to attribute the quote. Read some of your colleagues’ entries and "like" some of the ones that also resonate with you. You should be able to find this Common Core prompt in the GTFS community by clicking on this link.
Checklist: Exploring Common Core Read self selected Common Core (CCSS) Resources * Explore Common Core Resources from the GTFS Community Common Core Discussion Category ** Respond to this Common Core Prompt in GTFS Community by adding a quote from your Common Core reading. ** Come prepared to work on a collaborative project that connects CCSS to Google Tools **
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