Google Sites and Software Evaluation

As we enter the last week of the 3rd class, Using Productivity Tools Effectively, one of the tasks we were asked to do was create our own Google site and contemplate it's uses.  I currently use Teacherweb for my classroom website because it is what the school chose and they pay for it.  It is extremely easy and is loaded with features but it is $39/year.  That doesn't sound like much but when you multiply that by 20 (the amount of teachers we have) you're looking at $800.  That's nothing to sneeze at.  I have looked at a few other free options through some of our textbook companies (Scholastic) and various others but they have all been either too limited (my staff needs easy templates and automatic navigation bars/links), too cluttered with ads, etc.  Google sites might just be the resource that I've been looking for.  With a full set of features, somewhat easy design structure, and excellent price tag I think it is worth a try.  Our school uses a custom version of Gmail already (similar to Stritch with Wolfmail) so everyone already has access to Google sites.  I'm hoping that an in-service or two would provide the teachers with enough base knowledge to make use of Google sites.  Google sites could help our school, staff, and students in many ways:

• Teach simple website creation to students
• Create a cost effective school website
• Teachers can create a classroom website, a club website, or just use it as an easily accessible place to share a blog, calendar, videos, or pictures with students and parents
• Students could use it to create a site to keep track of their school work, calendar, etc
• Teachers could use it for keeping a portfolio for students on an annual basis or more

From a personal standpoint I could use Google sites to do anything from a family oriented site to a site dedicated to a hobby or interest of mine.


The software evaluation comparisons that we made this week working with our groups were very interesting. I have been at my school for 9 years now and I have never been involved in any of the decision making regarding software so getting some exposure to the evaluation process was a good experience.  I need to be aware of this process if I ever hope to become a Technology coordinator in the true sense.  I looked at three very different methods of evaluation.  One method used a very detailed rubric containing categories which were populated with more detailed line items.  Each line item gets a rating and then the end result is a mathematical representation of the value of the software.  The nice thing about it was the level of detail in the analysis and the amount of flexibility with the line items and rating system.  Another method was less of an evaluation tool and more of a deterrent for staff to request something as an impulse buy.  It was setup more like an application where the requester needed to provide lots of information of support for their proposal.  The last method I looked at was done as a large grid/rubric with generic headings and a simple yes or no answer went in each box depending on if it fit.  This style was excellent for getting a surface analysis of many different software titles quickly.  It would be great for creating a resource in which you could narrow down your search to a few titles and then do a more comprehensive analysis from there.  With my recent joining of our Technology Committee I am eager to provide some input and insight the next time software procurement makes it on our agenda.

InTime Review

As we come back from our 2 week "end of the school year" break we were asked to check out a lesson plan website called InTime.  This resource is different than most web resources offering lesson plan ideas.  The first thing that is evident is that the documented lesson plans are broken down into detailed components such as Content Area, Information Processing, Teacher knowledge, Technology, Software, Hardware.  This is very helpful not only because it makes it easier for a teacher to assess if the lesson is a good fit for their curriculum but it also provides a common framework regarding the way the lessons are presented.  Often times on websites where lesson plans are shared it is difficult sifting through them because of inconsistencies in how they are created and the methods used.  That leads us to the most impressive feature of this site...the VIDEOS.  I have been to many sites looking for lesson plans (and I mean a lot) and I have never seen a site that included such helpful videos.  Not only are you getting to see the lesson in action but you get a chance to listen to the creator explain the lesson.  The narrator talks about exactly what it covers and how to implement it in the most effective manner.  The videos that I watched were excellent and very representative of the documented lessons.
     The one flaw I found with this website is that it seemed somewhat out of date when looking at the software and hardware used to implement some of the lessons.  The copyright date of the site is 1999-2002 so that would make it close to 10 years old.  I imagine that it took many, many hours to compile these lessons and even longer to record and edit the corresponding videos so maybe it didn't get enough exposure and just fizzled.  Even so, I could still envision using a lot of the lessons either as they are written or just modifying them to fit current technology.  I will certainly pass this along to my colleagues as a possible resource.

Using Productivity Tools - Spreadsheets and Software Analysis

I'll start this week's reflection by stating that I love spreadsheets!! haha  I particularly love Microsoft Excel because of it's many advanced features.  I would consider myself an advanced user when compared to most spreadsheet users but I am logical enough to know that my knowledge is probably minute compared to all there is to know with this expansive software.  Over the years I have slowly shifted over to spreadsheets for more than half of what I do when I need to create a document with an Office-type program.  Besides the obvious mathematical uses of spreadsheets I find it much easier to organize things like class rosters, lists, and anything that you might want to align in a table or grid.  Spreadsheets also allow you to sort data, unlike word processors.  Some examples of concepts that I have used in various assignments include: graphing, sorting, macros, IF statements and nested IF statements, using built in Functions(RANK, SUM, AVERAGE), and conditional formatting.

We don't have the greatest system for analyzing and purchasing software at my school.  We have a Technology Committee and we have a School Committee and both of those committees have responsibilities when it comes to purchasing books or software but there is a disconnect between the two committees.  I am a member of the technology committee and it is hard to bring up items that might cause potential change because everyone on that committee is a volunteer.  Our head network guru is extremely knowledgeable about everything but if he deems that something might compromise his network or make his job a little more difficult then that item will make it past the suuggestion phase.  I fully understand his position but it is not the best structure for the welfare of the school.  If I had time to serve on both committees I could perhaps be the common link between the two, but I don't.  That's why I make due with the current situation the best I can and try to really take initiative if I have a strong opinion about a piece of software one way or another.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

Using Productivity Tools - Searching and Online Word Processing

This week's class focused on searching/search engines and online word processors.  Throughout my 10 years of teaching I have always been a proponent of using multiple search engines when doing research.  After covering the topic of searching and experimenting with some various online search options I came to realize that I have been slowly falling into the habit of always using Google.  I remember giving my students many different options and explaining that not all websites are listed under every single search engine.  I've always understood that using multiple search engines is essential to getting a good variety of results but Google has carved such a solid niche in the searching category that it has made me (and many others) complacent in their searching efforts.  I feel a large part of Google's success originates from the fact that they have so much more to offer...and it's almost all free.  I think I even heard that the word Google has recently been officially added to the dictionary as a verb, like in the phrase "Google it".  The morale is that going through searching strategies and techniques has brought my reliance on Google to my attention.  I still love Google and all it has to offer like the online Calendar and the growing features of Google docs but I intend on going back to using multiple search engines when doing more extensive research.

Online word processing is becoming more prevalent in education for several reasons.  Cost, access, ease of use and collaboration are the driving forces behind online processors' growing popularity.  Most online options are free and accessible from any computer/tablet/device with an Internet connection.  Educational institutions like the convenience of not worrying about installing software, updating software, or storing files on their networks.  The capability to share and collaborate on projects is perhaps the most exciting feature because it is breaking down physical and geographical barriers in the classroom.  With Internet connections becoming more commonplace and the widespread use of WiFi it is making online word processors a more viable option for schools and student use.

I haven't used online processors in any of my classes yet because of the need for setting up accounts and email addresses but I have found a solution for next year.  I have set up a school account on a student management system called Gaggle that allows you to setup student accounts and give them restrictive email accounts.  This will allow me to setup accounts that the students can use to register for online word processors such as ZohoWriter.  I think it will end up being a gradual shift from traditional to online word processors for our school but I think it is an inevitable change that has to happen.  Next year when students get signed up and are comfortable with online word processors I'd like to try some group projects within our school and have the students collaborate in school on the project simultaneously, away from school at the same time, and away from school at different times.  Once we figure out any kinks the online processor might have I'd like to try doing a collaborative project with another school locally, nationally and then globally.

Using Productivity Tools Effectively - Week 1

We just started a new class this week - Using Productivity Tools Effectively.  I am really excited about this class because I'm hoping it will provide me with some extra resources for our teachers and staff.  It has been an ongoing struggle for me to find effective Web 2.0 type applications for my staff.  The main reason has been simply finding the time to sit down and go through the quickly mounting amount of options.  Being in a class such as this will be extremely helpful because it will give me a starting point from which to work from in my quest for useful Web 2.0 applications.  A perfect example is the content of the first week's assignments.  One assignment was to explore different programs that create graphics.  The other assignment was to explore presentation programs.  In both cases there were 5-10 different examples to choose from.  These examples had been tested out by the instructor and deemed effective enough to include in this class.  Like I stated earlier, the key is that a starting point was provided.  We weren't limited to these choices but it is much easier to have some viable options presented to you and then spin off and explore on your own than it is to just start from scratch.  The results can be overwhelming when putting a search term such as "graphic programs" into a search engine.  I was introduced to many new applications and Web 2.0 tools already in this first week.  I already have thoughts of how to incorporate the new graphics program by Deviant Art into some teacher lessons this year as well ideas for its use next year.  An added bonus is that it uses HTML5 so it can be used on the iPad 2.  The presentation software I chose was Empressr and while it was somewhat difficult to publish the finished product I still enjoyed exploring it's features.

Final Reflection - Computer Systems and How They Work

Well here we are at the end of the 2nd class of the MEIT cohort and we finished strong with an assignment about putting together the perfect computer.  I read quite a few blog reflections from others where they expressed relief that this class is over but I'm actually wishing that we could have had a couple more weeks to get a little more in depth.  My hardware knowledge and skills have always been decent but this class took me to those limits with assignments to the point where I wanted to edge a little further to expand my horizons.  I know I spent at least an hour longer on the perfect computer assignment because I kept getting sidetracked by wanting to take a deeper look at Hexa Core processors, different types of RAM, USB 3.0 external hard drives, etc.  The same is true of some of the other assignments as well.  The Operating System assignment was probably the most eye opening for me because I had little to no experience with Linux.  After the exposure to Linux I have big plans for it after reading numerous forum posts where people told stories of Linux rescuing their older laptops or desktops.  Apparently Linux still runs fast on machines with older hardware - now that is knowledge that I can put to good use.

I love that this Master's program is online, don't get me wrong, but this might have been a class that I would've enjoyed being in a lab with my fellow cohorts while playing around with the different hardware, devices, and operating systems.  Maybe that's just me.

Safety, Security and a Plan

This week's topics happened to coincide with a very similar unit that I just started teaching to my middle schoolers.  Our technology committee had decided that it was time to incorporate some mini-lessons about being safe and secure online.  While some of the content that we covered in my MEIT class were more in depth, there was also some overlap.  We talked about different kinds of viruses, malware, phishing, identity theft, and safe practices for using email to name a few.  After doing a security audit of my PC using the website auditmypc.com I discovered that my PC was pretty safe except for my Internal IP address.  The auditmypc.com website was able to run some little Javascript and get around my router to view my internal IP address.  I'm actually not too concerned about it but it was still somewhat eye opening since I thought my router from AT&T Uverse was masking my IP address.  Everything else looked ok, though, so thumbs up!!

Another topic we covered was the creation of a disaster recovery plan at the personal and organizational levels. I didn't have too much trouble with the individual plan because I already have a pretty comprehensive plan in place but creating the disaster recovery plan at the organizational level was quite the mind-numbing experience.  It is one thing to plan for a disaster at home where you might have 2-5 PCs or similar devices but it's a whole different ballgame when you start thinking about locking down and securing a network that may contain multiple servers, 100+ computers, 100+ users, and an overwhelming amount of data.  There are numerous factors to consider in the structure of a network before you can piece together the most efficient infrastructure. I didn't realize that there were so many choices of RAID and I didn't really understand what the advantages/disadvantages of each of them were until this assignment.  I also never really thought about using "cloud" storage in conjunction with the regular file/data backups.  We did the organizational DR plan as a group and we found that while we all worked at places that had existing plans, they were all very different because of the different hardware, devices, operating systems, etc that were unique to our schools.  As a result, my group's normal 1 hour weekly meeting turned into a 3 hour groan fest as we tried to piece together an adequate plan.  I can't imagine what it's like in settings where there are even more people involved in the decision making.