Google vs. Microsoft Hmmm!!! Am I Cheating????

I just got my Trainer certification for Google and I am a Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer. Before getting the Google Trainer status I was helping people with Google but not really formally training people. Whereas, with Microsoft I have been conducting formal trainings for about a month. 

My insight after being trained on both and training on both. At first I felt that I had to choose between the two. I DON'T. I have found that I can use them both. There are some activities that I would use Microsoft, particularly math with OneNote, and some I would use Google for the ease of use for the students. They both have basic word processing, spreadsheet, slideshow capabilities. Now within that there are differences. 

In Microsoft I feel like they are WAY advanced in the accessibility features. In Google the ease of use for students can't be beat. Would I choose one over the other I think not!!! I evaluate my learning goal and look at which tool will help me reach that goal. Additionally, I have had students work on research task and some do it in Google Sites (higher functioning) and some do it in Google Sway (lower functioning) based on the needs of the students.

So to answer the question I started with NO I am not cheating I will use that tool that best meets the needs of my students for the particular task at hand. I am lucky my district is Microsoft but they have a Google integration so my students have access to both and that is ultimately the goal. #Studentchoice the best tool for them to find their #studentvoice. 

Getting that Coveted Google for Education Trainer Badge!!!

I can't believe it!!! I have come such a long way from Google Doc and Google Slide shown in front of the room. What does it mean? What does it represent? It represents that I am a life long learner and open to the wonder of incorporating new ideas and tools into my teaching arsenal. It means that I am committed to EdTech for my students to get them the resources that will make learning more accessible to all my students. It is a personal achievement now I can be a change agent in the community to bring them into the digital age. I did it now onto Innovator and Coach!!

Summer School and It's Impact on "Our" Students

Today was the first day of summer school, renamed Summer in the City. I stopped working summer school years ago because I didn't see that it was positively impacting our students. The neediest students were told year after year you are not good enough and you have to go to summer school. It always made me think what do we think we can do in 6 weeks that we couldn't do in 40 weeks. 

I like the idea of voluntary academic "camps" because the connotation is different. What message are we sending them when they cannot attend graduations and other things to do this 6 week course where they already know everyone will pass you just have to show up.

I volunteered to work so I could make a difference to use these new tools that the students did not have access to during the school year and in remote learning. The students came from different schools so this was an opportunity to work on engagement with students that I didn't already know. I created a Buncee. They loved it!!! 

Maybe this virtual thing could work after all.... I know for me it has made me a more deliberate teacher. I examine each activity and lesson to make sure that it is deliberate and serves a purpose to engage and draw the students into the learning. 

My takeaway from remote learning is that now we have to REALLY sell our lessons to get the participation. In classrooms they were hostages now it is a choice. So what do I have to do to make them choose to come to my class. 

Is this the education revolution??? Are we now salespeople??? Is this good or bad??? TBD 

Diversity in EdTech

I'm starting to see a pattern in EdTech I hope it isn't so but I see what I see. Is EdTech truly diverse??? I returned to Twitter the same day as another educator and we had the same count of "followers" at the end of the week and were following the same people. Why does she have 2000 followers and I have 500? Is there bias in who we follow? 

When I updated my profile to begin this journey I thought about whether or not I should use my bitmoji which showed my race. Do other non-minority people consider whether or not there race will make them more or less attractive to people. 

Don't get me wrong I love the groups I am involved in and the people that follow me are powerful but that was just a wondering. I was following Google Educators and Microsoft Educators because that was my interest. As I started getting "badges" I followed those groups and developed my "window" into the EdTech world. As I scrolled I was seeing the same names and groups and started to wonder where were the people of color. Now there were people of color but NOT clearly representative in this new world that I joined. 

I decided to go to #blackteacher #blacktwitter to see what was going on. Was I part of a select group of POC involved in the EdTech world. I found POC but I had become aware of these badges of "honor" and I noticed they were not as prevalent in this world. Why???? Why weren't POC represented in the world of educator certifications???

I thank ALL of the groups that have taught me so much but they are teaching me to use my voice to speak out. So I am speaking out!!! Does it matter having these certifications and badges? It shows a level of excellence in this area but do our educators of color know about these things???

Before the pandemic I was unaware and changed that so I was left out but now I am in and I want to bring other educators with me. I was struggling with my Google Innovative Educator application but I am not struggling anymore. This is the work this is the problem. Having POC be fully represented in the EdTech world. 

Increasing My Reach and Collaborating with Others

Alright now that i know how to receive information about edtech and "follow" people I think it is time to be a creator or producer instead of just consuming. If I can't be a creator how can I get my kids to be creators and collaborators?

I joined a group to collaborate on studying for the Google Certified Coach. I volunteered to be on the planning committee which is outside of my comfort zone but I want to be a creator not just consumer. I created a Wakelet as a place to collaborate and collect for our journey. 

I was watching Flipgrid Live last night and it was infectious I want to keep that same energy when I work with my students. So many new features all to strengthen #studentvoice giving all students access to having their voices heard. 

What's important to me now is finding my voice getting back to what brought me into education. 

Creations 

1. This blog
2. A website that is on the school webpage but I haven't shared as a creator https://sites.google.com/is131.org/6th-grade-ela/home
3. Adobe Spark

Looking at the Google Certified Coach Curriculum

Just finished the curriculum for the Google Certified Coach. It's the same thing with a new name. Anyone who has done coaching and/or mentoring should be able to get through this pretty easy it's giving different names to what we already do. 

Now the program. I am inspired that a company decided to take on this role/task. This is authentic real modeling coaching for the new digital age. The resources included in the curriculum were incredible it's like they put what I've been doing on this very short edtech journey into one place. 

How to build your network? Why build a network? 

 Excellent coaching tools to manage your time and work with others to make coaching impact visible. If I was a new coach I would definitely want to take this year long journey with them and with others who are starting groups to work together on this journey.

My question is do I have to wait a year if I already have artifacts that support this 5 step model of coaching. I have asked and no one seems to know if I have to wait a year so be it I'll still be coaching but why do I have to wait a year?

Another Day on the Journey

"Where will I end up I don't know but I am having a good time getting there."

Today I started my LOGO. Yeah me!!!! BxTechELA on Adobe which I learned yesterday. There is so much to learn everyday is something else. Yesterday I finished my MIEE (Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert) application. 

I still didn't take me time. The last day of school was Friday and I don't think I've stopped since then. 

Today surprise, surprise I get a DM from Buncee they want to talk to me about being an Ambassador. YEAH!!!! Then I get a phone call from a teacher who I had spoke to earlier about the Microsoft Trainer Academy so we got started today. I wanted the practice doing a live training for a significant period. I have done 1 hour sessions but this one covered a lot of "stuff" he went good and I felt comfortable. 

I don't know but I am soooo excited for edtech I can't stop myself. I feel like I was in a drought and someone has water and I can't get enough. 

It makes me upset that not only were the students in a digital divide but so were the teachers. We didn't know others have been doing this stuff for so long and we are just coming on board. I don't want to stay stuck in the problem I want to be part of the solution so I will take ownership of my learning and move forward to give my students the education that they deserve. 

#studentvoiceambassador and proud.