My action plan

1. What are your goals for integrating Google tools into your school or personal practice? (List at least 2.)
Goal #1: Integration of Google docs
Goal #2: Integration of Google calendar

2. What steps will you need to take to implement your vision?
Effective implementation requires users to learn how to use Google docs and calendar. I will teach my students how to acquire a Gmail account and then teach them how to use Google docs. We will then do the same with the calendar. Post classroom discussions, we will begin using both tools to write and collaborate on assignments while using the calendar to keep up with important due dates and assignments.


3. What key unanswered questions do you have about using Google tools?
I didn’t understand how to use the Google Custom Search Engine. The link was blocked and required permission to unblock. I requested it to be sent to my gmail account. I will search for the information on my own.

4. Among school staff, who will be able to help you implement your vision?
Our technology director may assist on implementation and knowledge regarding use. Aside from that, I will not require much help since my vision is classroom based.

My personal vision

1. What is your personal vision for how Google’s web-based tools can help improve collaboration and communication within your particular school community?Vision Statement

Vestavia Hills City Schools use of Google’s web-based tools provides varied learning and collaborating opportunities for all stakeholders while serving its customers on a safe and secure server thus enabling our schools to more efficiently and effectively serve and communicate with our community.   

2. Which Google tools you are most likely to implement, and why?

Google calendar – ease of use, reminders, color coded, shared
Google’s calendar application provides users a web based calendar that is updated by the user. The user has the ability to share the calendar with groups a particular individual. Also, the calendar may be embedded into a school website. The calendar is an up-to-date schedule of events that are significant to whomever they are shared with.
Google docs – ease of use, real time feedback, shared or not
Google docs are also a web-based tool that are accessible from any browser. Saving is seamless, and the threat of losing data is eliminated. Google docs also enables users to share documents with other users for collaboration.
Gmail – students can access the accounts easily, part of Google apps
Since students have to create a gmail account to access  all the Google apps (mostly Drive), using the email keeps everything in one spot.

Why I would use anything Google is because Google web based tools offer services that are housed “in the cloud” that provides users the anytime, anywhere opportunity to work with data directly from a web browser rather than being reliant on a network server housed on campus as well as portable storage devices such as flash drives. The threat of losing a portable storage device or a server crashing is non-existent. With Google, collaborating on a piece occurs in real time.

3. What lessons have you learned from reviewing how other administrators and schools are using Google Calendar, Docs, and Blogger?
Google Calendar enables users to share dates and pertinent information easily. The color coded calendars makes it easy to identify which calendar belongs to a particular group. Sharing is seamless.
Google Docs make sharing documents easy between Google users. Also, Google docs have all the tools to create any type of document needed. One of the most beneficial aspects is the ability to create polls that are transferred into graphs.
Google’s Blogger tool makes creating a blog simple, yet the features offered allow the user to create a blog that is attractive and creative. Blogs are effective tools for communicating in a more personable manner as opposed to the standard website. Blogger is used by administrators to communicate important dates, events, projects, and legislature. They can also be used by those in the community as a type of advertisement for the school and community.

4. How does your vision align with the “Visionary Leadership” standard as put forth in ISTE’s National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators?

Google’s applications offers opportunities for teachers and administrators to engage students and teachers in learning experiences while teachers and administrators model use through teaching.
My vision aligns with ISTE’s “Visionary Leadership” standard because it “contributes to the development, communication, and implementation of a shared vision for the comprehensive use of technology” as well as sustaining technology changes in the classroom (ISTE.org). By using the Google applications, I can effectively integrate the technology offered through Google’s web based server. Not only do these applications foster an innovative medium for various pedagogies, but they also provide support for maintenance.