Google Certified Students:

Using the Three G’s of Digital Literacy to Learn and Share Google Apps Within a School

My Idea: Why not teach students to become school experts of Google Docs? -lets call them Google Gurus.  Just like the Google idea of having certified teachers, why not certified students? That way nearly every class in the school will always have an “expert” to help the teacher. Teachers who feel less comfortable using or trying Google Docs will feel more comfortable knowing an expert is nearby – ready to help!

Starts April 16th – stay tuned for updates and video blogs

Unit Background:

Students in the Intro to Multimedia class will become “Google Certified Students” by learning about Google Apps through establishing a personal learning network to gather information about the platform.  As they begin interacting with tutorials, learning modules and outside experts, they will evaluate the validity of each source and then process and gain information by putting it into a blog to be accessed by teachers in the school. They will gift out the information, by making at least one 3-minute student focused tutorial to help show other students how to use one of the apps.

Enduring Understanding:

Students will understand how they can use personal learning networks to gather, gain and gift information. They will see the power of collaborating  with peers and experts from around the world.  They will begin to understand that their learning is not limited to the walls of the classroom or multiple choice tests and that creating a personal learning network will help them to find and share their passions.

Standards: Taken from NETS

• Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology

• Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others

• Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information

• Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources

• Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operation

Essential Questions:

How can students use PLN’s to effectively evaluate and learn from outside experts?

How can students stay safe while searching the internet for information?

What are the most effective ways students can “gift” their information to others?

How can students add value to the plethora of information already available and help their own learning community?

What makes an effective information source? Presentation? Blog? Tutorial?

How can students evaluate the credibility and validity of information  they find online?

How does Cloud Technology and Web 2.0 platforms allow us to expand our learning enviornment – both collaboratively and beyond our own classroom walls?

Evidence of Learning- Students will demonstrate their knowledge in three ways:

1. They will construct a blog for teachers and students that will serve as an information hub for those new to Google
2. Students will take a series of online tests that they must pass in order to receive “Google certification”
3. Students will find and communicate with two experts outside of school
4. Video interviews will be taken of students pre-post to help measure their ability to converse articulately about what they have learned
5. Students will have successfully used Twitter, YouTube and Diigo to develop their first personal learning network
6. Students will have used hashtags to find information and experts
7. Students will have contacted two experts via email and arranged a hangout with them if possible

Learning Activities
1. Show students the Google Complex – give background about google and their growth – to get them excited about the future of technology and their role in becoming a networked learner.
2. Mini-lesson:  Cloud Technology  - “The Word Save is so 2008”
3. Mini- lesson: PLN’s  - Diigo and Twitter (hashtag communities)
4. Becoming a Google Stalker: Class signs up to follow google experts on Twitter and has feed going on LCD at all times
5. Mini-lesson: YouTube Channels – students follow Google Channel and more
6. Mini-lesson: What Makes a Good Tutorial – The Zen Presentation
7. Mini-Lesson: Effective Blogs -How can we effectively present information – Deconstruct of good and bad blogs
8. Mini-lesson – The Zen Presentation 2 “Friends Don’t Let Friends use Comic Sans or Black Backgrounds” and WET KISS
9. Mini-lesson: Searching 101:  Search tips and tricks and creating your own search engine in Google
10: Jiing – Online Tutorials – how to make your own
11. Mini-lesson: The Gift – How to market your information

Here are the steps I went through as an educator discovering the power ofTwitter

1.  I love Facebook, but I don’t have time for that Twitter thing. It is just for following stars and I am not like that. I am already spending way too much time on Facebook. I have papers to grade after all.

2.  Why does everyone keep talking about Twitter? Why are there all these Twitter icons on the TV? Okay, let me check this out. I think I will follow Ashton Kutcher, Oprah and Tom Brady.

3.  I have to admit, I like knowing that Tom Brady is on his way to practice and that Oprah has a new Life Class coming out…okay I feel like I am in the know because of Twitter.  This might be an interesting ride.

4.  Wait can it be true? I now like Twitter better than Facebook!?!  I am realizing they are two different entities. No one on Twitter is telling me they are “craving hot buttered popcorn.” The discourse on Twitter is actually adding to my knowledge base. I am checking Twitter now three times a day. And someone just retweeted what I said. That is COOL! I now understand what all the icons mean and I can follow the Twitter symbols to read a message.

5.  What are these hashtags? #oprah?  These are actually very powerful! No doubt these can be used in the classroom to impact student learning. Am I the only person who sees the unlimited possibilities of this tool for teaching?

6.  Wow! These #hashtags get you to groups or learning communities that are interested in same thing that you are…and they are talking about inspiring, interesting ideas. It is like a think tank in my iphone. I am having talks with leaders in my fields of interest and learning so much. Time to tell a few more friends…this is way too cool not to share. I am taking part in Tweet Chats and using TweetChat to help me keep track of my new learning communities. This is so exciting.

7.  What? My school district just said we can use Twitter and Facebook! Wow pretty forward thinking. I am glad I work here! Ahh, but not for middle school? But wait, it is so powerful…I might have to show people why we should use this even for young learners. Let me start by presenting at a district wide meeting and then talk with my parents at Back To School Night. Next step…permission slips.

8.  I am at a CUE conference and everyone is tweeting and using Twitter in the classroom. There are back conversations happening and I am getting VIP knowledge of the best classes to attend. I found out about TweetDeck and I am ALL IN…my students will be next!

9.  I am using TweetDeck to save searches and chat groups. I am pretty much just into Tweet chats now #edchat #edtech. I have new friends or Twpeople I am sharing ideas with – I love this! I can’t wait to see where this will take me…and my students. I think I will share this article with one of my new Twpeople…she was asking about Twitter in the classroom after all.

10. You tell me? Please

With all the talk about Twitter and Facebook in Education we can quickly forget Discussion Boards