Web Tools for Teachers

75+ Ways...#3 Compromise, Let them get a Google Account

2007-03-12T08:39:00.000+08:00

Let's face it, not everyone will want to switch email clients and not everyone will prefer Google to their current email handler. As we look to make good use of Google's online applications in the classroom, the first thing the educator has to realize is that some of this (as it pertains to communication and collaboration) will be an uphill battle. Especially getting everyone onboard willingly. Communication requires 2 cups at the ends of the string. If a parent or co-worker has zero interest in how Google can improve certain processes, no amount of feet-stomping is going to change that. So to get them to pick up the cup at the other end we'll need to compromise.

Have them sign up for a Google account.

Signing up for a Google account is simple and fast. Furthermore, it allows the "stubborn" party to keep their current email address. As a communicator, you will still be able to send invitations, collaborate on projects and allow access to sensitive information. Those with Google accounts may participate in every Google activity except Gmail.

Most parents (rightfully so) are protective of their children - especially in regards to the Cyber. And many parents will not relish the idea of their child having an email account separate from their own. This might certainly be true among parents of elementary students. However, a Google account will allow a student access to all the important classroom happenings and still permit peace of mind for the parent.

It is the educator's responsibility to promote a secure, safe (and convenient) environment for education both online and offline. In this case, educating parents and students on safe and smart practice is crucial. With this education, be willing to compromise. Don't force Gmail down anyone's throat. Rather, shoot a quick email describing what you intend to do, the benefits of online applications and a link to the signup page. This will be enough motivation for most to sign up.

When everyone has a Google account...the fun begins.

As we slowly enumerate these ideas and tips and ways for improvement, I certainly invite comments and other ideas!

Get the feed on a Blogspot Blog

2007-03-09T08:45:00.000+08:00

Strangely, most Blogger / Blogspot blogs do not have the obligatory RSS/XML feed button. Why this is not included in the template, I knoweth not. If you are surfing around with Firefox, when you arrive at a Blogspot site you will see the little RSS button appear in the Address Bar. However, there are a few extra steps involved if you want the data from that button to go into Google Reader or del.icio.us. If you are a devoted FF'er, you probably have a button on your toolbar* that automatically adds feeds to your favorite bookmark site. But Average Joe does not have this enhancement.

So to add a Blogspot feed to Reader or Delicious (or anywhere you want to see a feed), you just need to have the address of the blog and "/atom.xml." For instance, to add webtoolsforteachers to your RSS feeds, simply supply the URL "http://webtoolsforteachers.blogspot.com" and "/atom.xml". i.e., http://webtoolsforteachers.blogspot.com/atom.xml

This works for any Blogspot blog.

http://yourblogname.blogspot.com/atom.xml

*To add a Google Subscribe button to your Firefox toolbar, simply drag this link [Subscribe] to your toolbar.

To add a Google Subscribe button to your Google toolbar in IE7, click here. Thanks.

75 Ways...#2 (sort of)

2007-03-09T07:52:00.000+08:00

Due to a smallish conflict of interest, I won't be able to release the list of "ways Google can make you a better teacher"...now. However, barring Hell & Highwater, I will be able to post the list later in the year. For now we'll content ourselves with some snappy Google tips.

So... we'll steer off-course a bit today, talk a little education theory and then throw in some Google.

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If you have read my Profile, you've seen that I am not a certified educator. But I am immersed in Education. Everyday...I work at a school, I am surrounded by school administration, I eat lunch with teachers and I provide support for what goes on in the classroom. Even my wife is a certified teacher. I do have a certain affinity for Education, but (of course) I like what I do too. For some of you, this blog might be akin to a City Boy buying two tickets to the Rodeo and claiming to be an expert in what it is to raise horses. But that's me...a webmaster amongst educators.

From my perspective, I have one advantage. There may be more, but I'll just brag about this one: I don't have to buy into the Education Theory Flavor Of The Month. On the web, tv, at conferences, in meetings, teachers are bombarded with the new techniques in Education. Some new proposal of action that will improve student learning, teacher communication, team-building, efficiency or classroom effectiveness. I have seen classroom teachers roll their eyes and then begin to sweat as they consider how they are going to, not only wrap their heads around these concepts but also, implement the practice into their already over-stuffed schedules and curriculum. Much of what I hear and see presented is just that - a new flavor. A few words and, if your are lucky, a nice Power Point presentation. Same ol', same ol'. Or as I like to say, "Same Skittle, different color."

But one Skittle I really digg is "Lifelong Learning." Working in Technology, I am more-or- less forced into the Lifelong Learner mold. If you don't continue to improve your skills in my field, you'll be out of a job soon. At my school, I see this attitude in the majority of the teachers I work with. They have a passion for their subject area and are constantly trying to improve in knowledge, skill and awareness. Furthermore, they have a genuine desire to see this attribute manifested in their students. Our posture in this life should be this: from Day One to the Day we close our eyes, we need to be learning. Not just for the sake of learning or for knowledge's sake, but for the well-being of our society, culture and world. (How do you like that? I am not even a registered Democrat.)

Here is the Google part. Call it #2 if you like. Get your students signed up for Gmail.

1. Help your students (if they are young) register and get an email account. Teach them how they may have this email for years and that they will be beginning relationships that may last for as long as their email account. (Tip: I would get your students to seriously consider their Gmail address. The name they choose may be with them for awhile. BritneySpearsIsBald@gmail.com may be a cool address now, but later...)

2. Have them all send you an email and add their names to your address book. You'll be glad you did. Years from now, you'll still be able to contact your favorite student. (On top of this, you will now be set up to do all the other things on the list of 75. :)

3. Stress with your students and peers that Lifelong Learning in the 21st Century is about relationships (even long-distance and digital relationships.) These Google-based relationships (or more appropriately Google-facilitated relationships) are going to make teachers a very real part of growing network of Learners. For many teenagers, teachers are the only adults they have significant relationships with anyway. When they grow-up...they'll remember this.

4. Take the time to teach your students that this Gmail address is part of their personal property. Teach them about internet security and spam and privacy. The majority of people change their addresses for one of two reasons: they physically move from a location that offers a service that includes email or they are being spammed. Educate your students now so they can protect (and keep) this email address for years to come.

Any comments?

75 Ways Google Can Make You a Better Teacher

2007-03-06T13:02:00.000+08:00

I am not a Googlephile (that is a word) but I appreciate a good thing when I see it. I was reading a bit of Gmail propaganda the other day, and the first line on this page read, "Email is supposed to be a productivity tool." That struck me as oddly profound. Not every web application is geared towards productivity but certainly Google's are.

So I decided that I would put this somewhat-axiomatic statement to the test. I sat down and I listed a few reasons and ways that Google could help my productivity. Since I work in Education, this later blossomed into ways Google could help classroom teachers be more effective and productive. I came up with no less than 75 ways Google can help you be a better teacher. Some of these ways are rooted in productivity, others are curriculum ideas and some of the ways are just good (fun) ideas.

#1 Get Gmail

I am sorry if this seems obvious or somewhat trite. But the truth is, without Gmail (and the subsequent Google account) ya ain't going nowheres. Virtually every service Google provides requires a Google account.* If it does not require an account (like Search), then it still can be enhanced by loggin' in. The first way Google can make you a better teacher is with a good email account.

Someone may argue that they already have an email account at Yahoo! or Hotmail or with their school. I won't take the effort to convince you why Gmail is better than Yahoo and Hotmail. (GizmosforGeeks already did...and this is only a review. )** But here are some reasons that I feel are worth mentioning:

1. Everyone can sign up now. You used to have to receive an "invitation" from an existing user to start an account. Its open season now. You've got no excuse. See image above.

2. Google storage is huge! Its coming on 3G (and counting) even as I peck this post. The school I work for has a pretty liberal policy on email storage and attachments. But 3G is pushing it. And while my school allows us to use our account for personal use (as long as you are not a closet spammer), not every school does. So how can Gmail's storage affect productivity? Now it is perfectly feasible to have an email account where you can store literally everything. There is no need for that "personal/work" dichotomy. You can master your own Inbox and keep your life together in one place. ***

3. It's all integrated. With Gmail, you have Google Docs, Google Calendar and Google Talk (chat) integrated right in the mailbox. In fact, you can put your Inbox right on Google.com so checking your email is as quick as the Home button. Can this make you a better teacher? I don't know! I like having to open 13 applications with 13 different passwords. :)

4. It's fast. I use Novell Groupwise to handle my work email. It takes a few seconds to start up the application, a few seconds to connect to the mail server, a few seconds to validate my password, a few seconds to load my Inbox and preferences...Add up all those seconds and I could have opened Gmail 3 times.

There are other reasons and other features but I will save them for another day. Get Gmail and follow along. See if you become a better communicator, organizer, facilitator and instructor.

*Google does provide an account to holders of email accounts other than Gmail. This account can be used to access many Google products.
** TechCrunch also did a nice comparison of Windows Live/Hotmail, Yahoo and Gmail.
*** Compare Gmail's storage to the other free services...and do the math.

WTFK & WTFT Online - About Us

2007-03-05T12:24:00.000+08:00

Welcome to Web Tools for Kids and Web Tools for Teachers!

WTFK is a project account with Google and WTFT is our blog title here on Blogger.

About This Blog (WTFT)

This blog is devoted to exposing the best practices for teachers who utilize online applications and websites in their classrooms. We invite comments and info-sharing.

Thanks for stopping by.

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