Use link to fill out form: bit.ly/PGye5j

1. Use link to fill out form:http://bit.ly/PGye5j • How much time do you spend communicating with students, parents and faculty? • What are some of the limitations you have found in communicating with these individuals?

2. 4 C’s: Communication Passive and Active communication with students via Google Calendar and Google Voice

3. Our situation at Grand Forks Public Schools

4. The 4 C’s • The 4c’s: Connecting, Collaborating, Creativity and Critical Thinking are areas of focus in the GFPS strategic plan.  This priority area “emphasizes 21st Century instructional practices which foster student academic engagement.”   • In order to accomplish this goal, we are in year two of a personal student learning device initiative.   • Last year, all sixth grade students in our school district received netbooks to use as their personal learning device.  This year, all 7th grade students received netbooks as their personal learning device.   • Accompanied with the personal student learning device initiative, is a structured and consistent professional development strategy.  Professional development is developed and delivered by the secondary technology curriculum partners on a monthly basis to all teachers involved with a student who has a personal student learning device.

5. Even with this 1:1 Initiative • 1 Alternative high school at 1:1 • 2 High Schools (@2000 students total) with varying access to technology (3 open computer labs, 3 sets of classroom laptops, other classes with reconditioned machines) • Varying internet access at home

6. Learning objectives • Using available, FREE technology to communicate with parents, students and faculty in both passive and direct means. • Google Calendars assisting in classroom planning (passive); • Google Voice for direct, DOCUMENTED communication over other channels (active)

7. Results from incoming form

8. Advantages of Google Calendar Flexibility • Accessing the web from any device (PC, Mac, phone) • Integration with Microsoft Outlook and Apple’s iCal • Embed/link into other systems or websites • Control who sees the calendar and can edit • Lesson planning “on the fly,” with team teachers, or with student teacher • Teaching students organizational skills

9. Google Calendar Strategies for effective use: Preps Assignments Meetings Extra curriculars Personal

10. Setting up and using Google Calendar • Setting up calendar • Setting appointments, Scheduling, Sharing • Sharing with specific people • Embedding calendar in Google Sites

11. Disadvantages/Concerns about using Google Calendar

12. Active Communication and Documentation: Google Voice

13. Advantages of Google Voice • Cell phone access (apps for smartphones) • Voicemail Transcriptions • Browser access • Text messaging with laptop As a teacher, • Safer, documented communication with students in a mode they are more familiar with • Less “excuse time” in class

14. Setting up Google Voice • Create Google Account (Gmail) • Create Google Voice account and select number • Give this number on syllabus, email, etc.

15. Disadvantages/Concerns about using Google Voice

16. Post-presentation survey: http://bit.ly/RuHgEZ Thanks for coming!