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The Power of Google-TCEA17

The Google Academy opened with a keynote presentation by Dr. Roland Rios.  Dr. Rios had some initial technical difficulty which is unusual for this venue.  While those were being worked out he entertained the audience with the sequence of events leading up to his choice to deliver the keynote.  Dr. Rios delivered a great presentation and left the audience with several great takeaways.

How well do you reach your highly mobile students?

Every district has students that fit into this category.  They may not necessarily be in and out of your district, but they may be moving within your district.  The answer to this question will give you a great picture of how you are meeting all other students needs.

Focus on the Who.  Remember the student above all.  They are the reason you are there.  Remember this: "We exist to serve the child!"  If that is not your mantra, all your efforts will be in vain.

Focus on the What.  What is important, the tech?  No!  The content?  Yes, but only if the Who is your primary focus.

Focus on the Who and the What and the How will work itself out.

If you keep your primary objective in mind and always think, put students first, your decisions about the tech gets much easier.  Are you putting roadblocks in place that get in the way of Who and what you are teaching?  If so, tear them down and get out of the way.  We often won't do things saying it is a safety issue, or we aren't allowed, but in reality it is just easier for us.  It has nothing to do with the primary purpose.

How can you focus on the WHO?

  • Allow students to communicate with those outside your "walled garden."

  • Create ways to communicate with students in other parts of the country/world.

  • Utilize the talent you have (let students help other students, especially the new students.

  • Have tech interns (students) that can help teachers and students with the programs/apps most often used in your school.

There are many other ways to get this done, but always remember what I stated earlier from Dr. Rios, "We exist to serve the child!"
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