As part of looking at the Google Apps project one of the side projects I have been working on is looking in to Google Chrome. 

With the advent of Chromebooks, a cheap and simple laptop style computer that revolves around the Chrome Browser, the importance of the functionality and features of this browser will only increase!! So really anyone can have a chrome book, all you need is a computer with a chrome browser and hey presto a Chrome Book…well at least sort of anyway!

So is it any good?? I love it…why??? Read on!!!

1. Remembers Me: No matter which machine I log in to; iPad; Chromebook; Mobile or desktop it remembers me and all the features (read extensions and apps) that I have installed….this is a huge advantage for students and schools with labs or laptop trolleys, as their browsing experience is the same no matter which machine they are on!!

2. Equity: With just this one browser I can word process, create websites, presentations and so much more and it is all free…..no need to buy or install one program, this is a true equity product! Students in disadvantaged backgrounds with access to an internet enabled device and a connection (read McDonalds if nowhere else) have access to the same programs and tools!

3. Apps and Extensions: These are the cool part…from screen capture to email notifications to accessibility options…let’s explore some of them (I am only going to list 2 as a taster…but visit the chrome web store to explore more!!!!)

Extensions:  Some of you might be saying “what are extensions?” So was I!! We don’t normally or rather I don’t normally find my explorer or other browser a very powerful tool, however when all you have is a Chrome Book you need to learn about the power of a browser and by golly is Chrome powerful!! Here are a couple of cool tools to get you started!! And to answer the question my best description is an “add on” or “extra feature” that soops up my browser!!

1. Google Dictionary:  This extension means that as soon as you double click on a word in a web page the definition automatically appears above the word, it even has a pronunciation feature! You can see my word as a yellow pop out below!! (But try it for a full experience!!)  This has real application for the classroom and might be a good stepping stone to ‘Read and Write’ below or a more effective solution for more able students. I also believe it provides teachers with a great reason to go web vs text as it makes the material accessible to more students!

2. Evernote WebClipper:   I am sure I have read plenty about this one before…it enables one click sending or filing of web page content direct to Evernote. You are able to add comments, tags and more and it automatically appears in Evernote..very cool. (Apologies can’t screenshot this one!!)

So is this not only a business tool? Well….think research…students have a new tool to snip and collate only the most useful information, tag it, store it and find it, and of course it travels with them, available on any machine they log in to, Evernote on any browser!!And yes there is more…a big BONUS…this is preparing them for life beyond school, as yes this is a tool that will assist and empower them in business.

3. Read and Write extension for Google Docs This chrome extension is entirely free and has some useful features

• Text to speech
• Text to speech with spoken words highlighted
• Picture dictionary (yet to get this aspect fully functional) – but pictures can also be posted directly in to the Google Doc
• Fact Finder (Now somewhat irrelevant with the new research tab)
• Translator tool – One touch translations
• Vocabulary list – Highlight a number of words and then an auto generated vocab list with pictures is created

It does however only work within Google Docs, but this makes a huge case for providing electronic notes and activities through Google Docs, as teachers will see this enhances learning, makes their job easier and gives their students power and confidence!  Value in education and for accessibility…well almost priceless, especially with students with learning difficulties, from ESL backgrounds and accessibility concerns. Go on give it a try, not faultless…but as with anything Google it is always on the improve!!

 Apps: These are basically web 2 tools but with the addition of icon launch directly from a new tab in your Chrome Browser. This is nothing new but, makes you think and explore the range and extend of web 2.0 tools even more!

PsychoPaint (One for Art teachers…or all of us to aid students in creating and adding their own images to presentations) Ok, if you take a look at my photo you will see I get bored quickly, but this app is cool and I believe great for learning about the differing artistic styles and famous artists:

1.  Upload a pic
2. Add the usual layers etc…
3. But then you can paint with a special brush that changes the image to reflect the artist’s style: Picaso, Manet, Monet

My sample is Manet…art teachers give me some comments!!  The most powerful component the ability for students to transform images to reflect the styles of these artists so that they can learn and observe their technique first hand!!

Mathdisk:   This App is a source of editable worksheets on numerous mathematical concepts. But what is really cool is that these aren’t printables, but chrome enabled worksheets that can be manipulated to show differing circumstances and concepts (on image below you can drag the slider to change the number of intervals!!)…..wow really makes Maths come alive!!   Not all are relevant for Oz, but once again if we get creative I can see application in the Australian Curriculum…but expert Maths teachers out there feel free to contradict and comment!!

Also thought I would show you the range of worksheets available!! This is just the beginning….anyone need a tool to help engage the Maths teacher who says “you just can’t use computers in maths”? This is the tool for you!!

3. Movenote:  Fairly simple App, somewhat replicates Hangouts on Air with a record facility and a display facility to enable teachers to flip their classroom. Students see both the teacher or alternatively the class as well as the document the teacher is referring to!! And you can even add multiple docs…coool!!  It is simple to add a presentation from Google Drive and the Camera on most devices is picked up automatically!! Just click record and you are ready to roll…simple, easy I like it!!! Go explore!!

On Reflection: In completing this post I was fortunate enough to have a loan of a Chrome Book from Google and it has certainly made me think differently. The world of Web 2.0 technologies means we can complete almost any task using online freely available programs, this equity is what really attracts me to this product. In addition there are some other key advantages to going Web Only:

1. Work is stored in the cloud…if the computer breaks is stolen or goes dead, access can still be engaged…no more student excuses!!

2. Auto save, most of these web based programs auto save…no more lost docs!!

3. USBs are dead as we revert to cloud based storage…..students cannot come with the “I forgot my usb” excuse and neither can I!!!

And this does not just apply to chrome, most of those Apps and extensions listed above in some form or another are available on other browsers, I challenge you to take a web only week long challenge too!!

This might provide some inspiration…it worked for me!!!  http://youtu.be/lm-Vnx58UYo

Report back your experiences by commenting on this BLOG post what apps and opportunities will you discover??

As explored in my previous post the most versatile and opportunity filled web experience can be had with the Google Apps suite..don’t forget to check out the Google Apps PLANE group to learn, discover and grow your Google skills!!!

Well, the platform is built and we are now in continuation mode, running until at least early 2015. Now its up to you to engage with PLANE, the community that has evolved and the professional learning experiences available. The following on-going PL opportunities exist for educators on PLANE:

• Online self-directed Courses, Skill Snacks & Quests
• Online forums and groups for educators to share learning about ICTs and support each other with questions and answers
• Tweet-ups
• Virtual World experiences and the 3D game Leornian is available 24/7 for educators to meet up & participate in hands-on immersive learning.
• The Gateways and App snacks bring in live feeds of curated digital material on particular ICT topics, this ensures the links are current & updated on an ongoing basis
• The ability for PLANE members to create their own group on PLANE & invite a cohort of colleagues to share resources & learning on a particular topic
• Sharing of useful online resources & a discussion about their use in the classroom via Share Club
• A calendar of facilitated online events

There’s a new calendar of events for March-June now available via the events calendar, or use this flyer to share the opportunities with your colleagues.

What else would you like to see on PLANE?  Let us know by completing this survey - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5CD9L38

Your responses will help to shape PLANE into the future.

PS:  do you like the new getting started guide?  It will remain in place for another week or 2, then it can be accessed via the DISCOVER>>GETTING STARTED menu (a great way to introduce new PLANE members to what’s on offer).

See you online, the PLANE team.

With the recent Google Apps for education summit in Sydney, my excitement and use of Google Apps within the educational realm has been ignited! With both the Catholic and Public systems going Google and I am sure many independent schools doing the same, this is a world of opportunity!!

For those of you new to Google Apps, Google Drive is the new name for the suite of tools commonly known as Google Docs. This includes; Docs (Word processor); Presentations (Presentation Maker);Spreadsheets; Drawings and Forms. This week I have been exploring some of the cool features available in Google Drive.

Collaboration: The power of Google Apps revolves around this key concept. Students and teachers can use Google Drive to effectively facilitate group work, and from a professional perspective it allows for collaborative program and task development as well as school planning!

Still a bit unsure of what Google Drive/Docs is, take a look at this 30 second piece of inspiration!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmSPAEQ7jko  (Docs Demo).

As a project officer overseeing the implementation of Google Apps I have been fortunate enough to hear some amazing stories this week relating to its use in the classroom, here are just a few!!

Using Google Docs as a programming tool: At a South Western Sydney High School, teachers within the Creative Arts faculty have decided to place all their programs in Google Docs. This means that all teachers can access and collaboratively update it all together in real time. In addition their Head Teacher and Principal  are always able to access the most up to date version, complete with annotations and registrations which can be completed by the teacher in the classroom as long as there is an internet connection. Real time programming, registration and adaptation, the power of Google Docs

Using Google Docs for Group Work: At another Sydney High School, students completed a group presentation (think PowerPoint) using Google Presentations. Together at the same time they were able to develop their presentation. Students were not able to say “I can’t do anything John is doing his part” as they could complete the task together all at the same time. Comments from the teachers included “Google Docs makes group work possible and effective” “It’s so simple” even an english teacher can do it (no offence intended!!).  Students made comments such as “it has so many more features than PowerPoint” and “simple” and “easy,” Google Docs made the technology seamless and it melted into the background, learning becoming the focus!

Students at a South Western Sydney High School engaging with Google Apps

For more information, take a look at the article on Google’s BLOG

What is my next step or foray in to Google Apps?? At the recent Google Apps summit I was exposed to some interesting additional features for Google that have huge applications for the classroom. One of these is “scripts” the other “extensions”.

Flubaroo: This script (don’t worry sounds complicated but its not) brings real power to Google Forms!! Google forms are basically survey and test style forms that can be distributed to students, teachers, even parents. Even without the script this is exciting as data from all these sources is automatically and freely collected and collated in a spreadsheet, and the forms look and are user friendly!!

So what is so good about Flubaroo?? Well let’s imagine it is a student test not just a form. Students select answers, write in responses and more. Flubaroo can then mark it for you, all you need to do is provide the correct answers, and yes it will even email students their results!! Cool, that is not the half of it, watch the video to get really excited!!  http://youtu.be/QJ60szcUbBE  (Flubaroo – Grading Made Easy).

Read/Write Chrome Extension: Yes this one is restricted to Chrome browser users, but it is really cool!! During the last few weeks I have been enlightened about the need for accessibility by vision impaired and other users with disabilities. This tool is just one of the many freely available to give power and equity to these users!!

Once installed users are able to have all or some part of the text within Google Docs read to them in addition there are links to auto text and visual dictionaries and even the ability to create glossaries and more, watch the video below to be inspired!!

http://youtu.be/ohNZhfU-8B4  (Read and Write for Google Docs)

Hopefully this has ignited you passion for learning more about Google Apps and Drive in particular and you now want to inspire your school community! If so, join the PLANE Google Apps group, where there are training Videos for your staff, links to online course materials, “Google Tests” and much more!!

BREAKING NEWS

• The Google Teacher Academy is coming to Sydney!! Submit your application now!! An exciting, exhilarating and once in a lifetime opportunity!! Click here to find out more!
• DEC teachers Google Apps will be coming soon to your portal, keep your eye on SchoolBiz

The share your experiences by commenting on this BLOG post or within the Google Apps group on PLANE!! And why not begin to share your favourite script or extension in the discussions set up in that space!!

• http://portfolio.plane.edu.au/view/view.php?id=8390 - Google Apps Links
• http://portfolio.plane.edu.au/view/view.php?id=6317 - Inspirational Experiences using Google Apps
• http://portfolio.plane.edu.au/view/view.php?id=6316 - Professional Learning in Google Apps

Use this guide to explore what professional learning is on offer and to introduce your colleagues to PLANE. It will be displayed to all PLANE users for a short time & then it will only appear to new members. This guide will always be available under the DISCOVER menu – click on Getting Started. Show someone through PLANE today!

The link between games and learning is not always obvious to us, but in Good Video Game and Good Learning, James Gee explores how concepts we value in learning – identity, interaction, production, risk taking ownership etc. -  are encouraged in gaming.

Each week in February we’ll be hosting an online TeachMeet to explore a different facet of Games Based Learning.
Registration details have been setup now, also added to the PLANE Events Calendar.

Event details and Eventbrite registration links
Wed 6 Feb – Game theory and getting started
Wed 13 Feb – Game design
Wed 20 Feb – Games and early childhood
Wed 27 Feb – Games smack down!

Vote for PLANE

As part of the Gamification Summit in San Francisco later this year, the 2013 GAwards will recognize outstanding achievements in engagement (from 2012) using loyalty, behavioral science and gamification.
The top voted example in each category will earn one (1) vote in the judged awards.

The winners of each category will be announced at GSummit SF 2013 this April 16-18.

Vote for PLANE in:
The Best Use of Engagement Techniques in Education Award
Having The Biggest Impact Award

Have your say…

What do you think of the Game Layer in PLANE?

In the PLANE Hero’s Journey game layer scaffolds teachers through a series of levels, quests and challenges building capacity and community. The game is an entrée and motivation to engage in all the facets of the community life.

As people level up in the game of PLANE they are guided and encouraged to go deeper and deeper into community engagement, collaboration and leadership. It is the goal that at a point in time for each hero, the game motivation will be overtaken by the value they perceive in rich community engagement.

We have designed a survey to evaluate the introduction of the PLANE Game Layer in which you will have earned points, badges and may have progressed along a trajectory of levels. We need our community to have genuine ownership of this aspect of PLANE. We invite you to give feedback here to help enhance the game layer value to all PLANE members. Please take the time to complete this short anonymous survey and consider joining one of our design focus group meetings in the near future. We need you to give back some time to your community and take the time to do this survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PLANE-Game-Layer 

The survey includes 14 questions in 3 parts based around knowing about you, your experience with the game layer and your ideas for its improvement. Data from this survey will be reported in the Game Layer Group and may also be used in public presentations and reporting. This feedback is vital to our continued development of the game layer and to new roles for you as designers of the upper levels.

Please help us learn what you want! We thank you in anticipation for your continued support to make PLANE all it can be.

Bron Stuckey and the PLANE team

The study uses data from the nine-year-old cohort of the Growing Up in Ireland survey and a multiple regression model to estimate the effect of home computer use on reading and math test scores, and finds that computer use is associated with increased scores. This result holds after controlling for multiple determinants of school performance, and there is no significant difference in effect for the amount of use.

In addition, the study investigates the effects of different types of computer use and finds that surfing the internet for fun, doing projects for school, and emailing are associated with higher reading and math test scores. Children who are permitted to use the computer unsupervised tend to have higher test scores in math, and instant messaging and downloading music or watching movies are negatively associated with both reading and math test scores.

However, while these results indicate significant association with academic performance, the study is not able to establish the direction of causation definitively.

We hosted our sixth TeachMeet@PLANE on Wed night 24 October on the topic of virtual worlds and education.

It was an immersive and fun session. If you attended this online event, we'd love to hear your feedback http://bit.ly/L4gfVM.

The presenters included Steven Caldwell, Lisa Jacka, Kate Booth, Stanley Yip, Michelle Jensen, Bron Stuckey and Melanie Hughes. These educators and their avatars chatted about their work and real world stories about their classrooms and students. We had over 40 attendees online and over 20 avatars in-world.

This TeachMeet also featured a live video stream of the PLANE virtual world. It was a playful and calculated risk taking experience as we pushed the limits of the virtual world. At one stage there was even a live audio stream of the office cleaner’s vacuuming noise that quickly disappeared after it got ‘dealt’ with by Bron.

 Presenter details

Some links

-          TeachMeet@PLANE Group (recordings, forums, presenter details download), http://portfolio.plane.edu.au/view/view.php?id=9049

-          Direct public link to the event archive is here, http://connect.plane.edu.au/p3y54x6ns9e/

-          More information about TeachMeet@PLANE, http://plane.edu.au/teachmeetplane/

Our next TeachMeet@PLANE

Wed 21 November 7pm and the topic is to be determined. The team at PLANE are keen to hear about what you’d like the next TeachMeet to focus on. Add your thoughts to the Wall Wisher page here http://wallwisher.com/wall/TeachMeetPLANE

We hope to see you there.

Bron, Stan and Kit for the PLANE team.

Director General of Education, Dr Michele Bruniges, officially launches PLANE

They came, they saw and they conquered everything PLANE (and not in that over-acted, blockbuster Air Force One kind of way).

Educators from around the State descended on Sydney’s Seymour Theatre – not unlike a class of students at the tolling of the final bell before term four holidays – for the inaugural PLANE Festival of Learning, last Friday 19^th and Saturday 20^th October.

And there was something for everyone interested in applying ICT to their learning pathways.

The big names were there: Dr Michele Bruniges (Director General of Education & Communities NSW), self-confessed academic rogue Dr Jason Fox, funny woman Kitty Flanagan and One Direction.* 

Many sat in on presentations by Dr Sarah Howard, Dan Haesler and Dr Bronwyn Stuckey, and walked away with a better understanding on utilising terms like “culture of experimentation” / “wellbeing v welfare” / intrinsic motivation of gamification”   

Others  furiously took notes, iPads casting a slightly grey glow on their faces, as Dean Groom discussed the impact of technology on the doors of imagination (FYI – the ability to open them) or Mark Treadwell explained how to turn Inquiry to Enquiry (Note: It requires more than a simple spell check).   

Team Spicejet

And the rest got interactive ­– playing The Game of PLANE: Festival of Learning Mission, Minecraft or a good old-fashioned round of laser tag.

But all in attendance (and there were close to 418 of them) walked away enthused and engaged – ready to actively participate in the principles of PLANE, as they took their homework, well home … 

Back in the virtual world, a week of online events (22-26 October 2012) followed the official launch, and both participation and praise (credit where it’s due!) continued.  As well as a massive 3000+ tweets over the two days (#FOL12 was actually trending nationally), PLANE registration numbers have now risen to nearly 5,000. We’re also currently accepting email accolades like “It was nothing short of SENSATIONAL" and “FOL12 was EPIC!”, but please be advised that congratulatory Tim Tams also welcome.

But don’t just read about it, or watch in envy as your colleagues share stories about “that one time at FOL” they asked Adam Elliot about winning an Academy Award, GET INVOLVED! Join the PLANE community and touch base with other members. You’ll get first-hand feedback from those who checked-in at the Festival, as well as the opportunity to connect with other educators, foster professional relationships with peers, and improve your knowledge sharing and support networks. (And you might also get the chance to watch your principal breaking into dance, Gangnam Style – Watch this space!)  

*Heard on more than one ringtone throughout the event

A special mention goes to the PLANE flight crew – from conception to co-ordination to creating customised Avatars (shout out to Jason and Anna-Marie who took over 140 requests over the two-day event  spending an average of 15 minutes transforming each photo snap into a graphical alter ego) – we take out pilot’s cap off to you all!

In addition to an ability to keep the office lolly jar perpetually stocked with white marshmallows, the crew at PLANE are equally proud of producing The 21^st Century Student Wellbeing series – a sequence of LeadMeets fronted by educators who take a creative approach to teaching and share a genuine desire to share their ideas and thoughts on current issues in education and the lives of our students.

For the unfamiliar, Leadmeets (Twitter tag #LMPlane) put PLANE’s ITC-focused professional learning philosophy into practice – using online space to explore current topics facilitated by a panel of thought leaders. The Wellbeing Series will, over a four week period, encourage three engaging presenters – Dan Haesler, Sam Cawthorn and Summer Howarth to share their ideas and experiences in the areas of student welfare and wellbeing, youth drive and determination and adolescent opportunities, respectively.

In anticipation of potential Festival of Learning withdrawals, the LeadMeets are scheduled to commence on Tuesday 23^rd October. Those in possession of an internet connection and a set of headphones/microphone can register here: http://portfolio.plane.edu.au/group/view.php?id=197.  And, if you want to avoid first date nerves, you may also like to scroll down to check out Dan, Sam and Summer’s preview videos below for an idea on what to expect.

Good leaders “Do not follow where the path may lead. [They] Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.” And personally, we can’t wait to have Dan, Sam and Summer – some of Australia’s best thought leaders when it comes to young people and wellbeing, board our PLANE.

Dan Haesler

Sam Cawthorn

Summer Howarth