Each advisory decorated their door to celebrate Red Ribbon Week. I loved what my advisory came up with!
Google Teacher Academy
September 26th, 2008 by katielibrarian · 5 Comments · Google Certified Teacher
Wow. I am still walking around a bit dazed, in awe of my experience at Google Teacher Academy in Chicago two days ago. I had the opportunity to learn with over 50 other educators from 17 states about Google’s suite of tools and how they can be used in education. It was so exciting to be in a room with like-minded individuals who were as passionate about technology and 21st century learning as I am.
One of my Chicago cohort colleagues, Bill Bass, started a Google site for all of us who were attending – this was a really nice way to get to know the other people who would be attending and helped me immensely to put a name with a face.
The Google office did not disappoint – bright colors, bean bag chairs, and yes, yummy snacks available for the taking. But what I kept thinking about while I was there…
What would our schools be like if we have bean bag chairs that invited collaboration?
What if our schools had the 80-20 Google philosophy for students and teachers? (you are required to spend 80% of your time at work for the job you were hired for but, you are also allowed to spend 20% of your time working for the good of Google in your personal interest area. The Google Teacher’s Academy is a result of Cristin Frodella 20% at Google)
Their company philosophy really made me stop and think.
I have attended many professional development workshops and conferences. I often leave these events with new ideas and feeling energized about my job. However, the Google Teacher Academy is now at the top of my list in terms of the professional development opportunities I have been able to be involved with. The day was filled non-stop with learning – never once did I feel tired or uninterested. I think the most powerful part of my day was hearing from other educators about the things they are doing – with Google products and in general ways to engage their students. The biggest take away for me is that I have broadened my personal learning network and look forward to continuing conversations and possible collaborations.
Thank you Google and all the others that attended – what a powerful experience this was for me. I am excited to be a Google Certified Teacher. 
All together now
September 7th, 2008 by katielibrarian · No Comments · learning 2.0
I must admit I did a poor job of “playing along” with All Together Now. I did read all the posts, but I just didn’t manage to post to this blog or play along. I knew of (and use) most of the tools that were discussed. I use them personally and professionally. The challenge for me in the coming year will be to try to figure out how I can use them with students or even more so … how can I encourage/persuade/teach my colleagues to use Web 2.0 tools? Many are hesitant and maybe even a little fearful to try new tools. How can I teach them about these tools when we have so little time for professional development? How can I encourage teachers to not be afraid of the web? That is what I think about as I head into a new school year… but I also say – bring it on!
Tags: SLJ
Thing 2 – RSS
July 25th, 2008 by katielibrarian · No Comments · learning 2.0
I was so happy to see that “Thing 2″ addressed RSS feeds. I love my Google Reader. My friend/colleague can attest that I often joke saying that “RSS has changed my life”. There is some truth to that though. RSS enables me to gather information, sort through it at my own pace, and then save it for later if needed.
Tags: SLJ
let the fun begin :)
July 23rd, 2008 by katielibrarian · No Comments · learning 2.0
I am excited to play along and learn with All Together Now. I am already quite the user of Web 2.0 tools, but I hope to learn some new tools and ideas. I decided to create a new blog for this learning journey and decided to use Edublogs … I use Blogger for my library blog so I thought it would be good to learn a new tool.
Tags: SLJ
