Have You Been Ignoring or Are You Oblivious to Google's March 1st Privacy Policy Change?

Our district technology director mentioned Google's impending privacy policy change to me weeks ago, but I was not paying too much attention until this last week. A pretty significant privacy policy change takes effect March 1st (tomorrow).

Reactions around the 'Net range from neutral/positive to highly alarmed. Ultimately, if you have personal accounts with Google (Gmail, YouTube, Google Apps/Docs, Picassa, Blogger, etc.), you should educate yourself about this.

In a very simple nutshell, Google is unifying all of its services under one privacy policy (instead of having separate policies for each of its services). This means that Google might start serving up ads to you on Google search pages based on what you write about in your emails, what you blog about, or things you search for on YouTube.

I believe Google is within their rights to do what they are doing; they do after all, provide dozens of high quality products, most of which are free to users like you and me, and make their money off of ads. Being able to target ads more accurately adds to their bottom line. But, as responsible digital citizens, we are also within our rights to educate ourselves and protect our privacy as much as we feel is necessary.

Privacy in the world of the Internet is an illusion anyway, but if you are like me and you like to try and limit how much the big companies know about you while still taking advantage of their services, you might want to investigate how you can limit Google's ability to "cross-reference" your activity in each of their services.

The main steps you can take to prevent the cross-referencing, if you wish, are to delete and put on hold your Google Search History and your YouTube search history. I've included two links below from the Electronic Frontier Foundation which have really specific instructions with screen shots. It's best to take these steps today, before March 1st rolls around, if you can. But if you are reading this on March 1st or after, you can still make the changes applicable going forward.

Remove and Halt Google Search History

Remove and Halt YouTube Search History

For further information, Vicki Davis, AKA Cool Cat Teacher, explains quite well, I think, why even average folks who have nothing to hide might want to be concerned about this change from Google.

Hope this is helpful to you!

And yes, I do realize the irony of sharing this information with you via a Google product! :-)

Please Share Your Favorite Web Search Tools, Techniques, or Lessons

Search Engine Roundtable Wordle
used under a Creative Commons License
courtesy of Flikr user toprankonlinemarketing.

I am putting together a three hour staff development session for K-12 teachers entitled Google Search and Beyond. I get kind of excited about search tools and digital literacy, so I'm having fun working with this theme.

I know many in my PLN have excellent ideas for teaching teachers about effective search strategies and ways to pass them on to our students. If you have an idea that has worked well for you in the past, would you please share it in the comments below? I'd like to glean from your experiences, and I'll give you credit in my sessions.

Feel free to describe as much as you want in the comments or leave links to resources you have learned from or used.

Just to prove I'm not trying to get you to do all of my work, here is a rough outline of topics I have been brainstorming for the session. It is under continuous revision as I plan. I want to balance providing information with giving the teachers time to plan for using these strategies and tools with their students, so it's likely I won't get to cover all of my topics. Quality over quantity, you know!

Thanks in advance for any ideas you are willing to share!

YouTube's Google Search Stories Creation Tool

Update March 2013 - It appears the Google Search Stories Creation Tool has gone offline and is no longer being supported as of January 2013. Bummer! More information here.

You know how you open up your Internet browser intending to accomplish something, then you click on a link that takes you on a slight rabbit trail and before you know it you are headed in a completely different direction?

Well, that happened to me this morning. But I'm glad it did, because I discovered YouTube's Google Search Stories Creation Tool, and after viewing a sample story I played around with it to create my own search story. I've embedded it below, but scroll on below it too, because it led me to begin brainstorming ways this tool could be used with students, and it might even trick them into learning some useful search techniques!

So, as I was creating this story, and after viewing a few other stories found at the SearchStories site, I came up with a few ideas for using this tool with students.

• After finishing a literature study, create a search story for one of the characters that helps trace the character's development
• During a literature study, create a search story a character might engage in to resolve a dilemma
• Create a search story depicting what searches a famous historical figure might have done if he/she had had access to Google during his/her period of history
• Create a search story that depicts the essence of a scientific or historical topic you recently studied
• Create a search story which shows a possible educational/career path you are considering
• Use as a culminating activity for a unit/lesson on research techniques as an assessment - have the students generate a question or research topic and let them demonstrate how they would use Google search to investigate
• Create a search story for use as PR, like this one from The Mary Louis Academy
• Create a search story for use as an introductory or summary video for a presentation (this would work well for staff development creators, too!)
• Whatever kind of search story your students create, require them to use at least three different types of searches, some of which can be chosen in the creation tool itself, but many of which you will have to know the proper Google syntax to use.

The SearchStories Creation Tool only allows seven search phrases and makes a 35 second video, which I think makes it a brilliant tool for asking students to focus on the heart of a topic, whatever they might be depicting. I encourage you to try it out, and as it causes you to brainstorm even more ideas, please share them below in the comments!

Closing Session - TCEA 2011 Google Academy

Notes from the closing session of the TCEA 2011 Google Academy

Professional Development for Becoming A Google Apps Certified Trainer - both in person at TCEA, webinars, and on your own options.

• Every Wednesday TCEA does a lunch and learn webinar that is free for TCEA members. If you sign up, you can get recordings of the webinars if you can't attend the live session
• All content from the sessions today will be posted to the academy website after TCEA conference is over. www.tcea.org/google

Closing Speaker
Jaime Casap
Google Education Evangelist
Twitter: @jcasap

Innovation in Education

Education is the silver bullet - Jaime grew up in Hell's Kitchen in New York. His own children have no idea what poverty is and know that college is an expectation for them. In one generation, his family's trajectory has been changed.

Today's young generation is different in many ways. They are growing up with technology all around them. It is part of their every day lives. They are caught in an environment where they can do multiple things at the same time. (That doesn't mean they're good at it though!)

Search is central to students' beings. For example, they walk into a bookstore and go straight to a kiosk to look up the books they want. They have no idea that the world existed before Google. No memory of card catalogs, folks!

The expectations students have for the tools they will be using are very different than previous generations. (Young people don't say "Not another version of the iPhone!)

The founding fathers would be amazed by cars and airplanes if they saw today's world, but they would be very comfortable and familiar with the majority of classrooms today (that's not a good thing, by the way...).

Outside of school, students are increasingly interacting with the world through mobile devices - phones and tablets. We might think it's too small to type on, read on, etc...but it's about the kids, not us.

The New Millennium Learners (NMLs - born 1980 and later) are ready to dive into teamwork and collaboration)

Just because we have devices in the classroom does not mean we are building technical skills.

When the Internet came into wide use, it was supposed to level the playing field. Everyone has access to all the information they need. But, there is so much information, we now need to learn how to search well.

Teach Not Ban - We teach kids how to cross the street, we do not ban cars. We should teach them how to search, collaborate, create good content, and leave a good digital footprint.

Mastering the Education Age with Google

Notes from a TCEA 2011 Google Academy breakout session.

Monica Martinez
TCEA Director of Professional Development
Google Certified Administrator
mmartinez@tcea.org

Bing TV Commercials - Information Overload- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN28Ad3TNrQ

Web 3.0 - This will be about semantic web (or the meaning of data), personalization (e.g. NetVibes), intelligent search and behavioral advertising, among other things.

Surfing - Will we do the surfiung or will the machine do the surfing for us?

Organization - Howwill our information be organized?

Interface - Will the web look the same for me as it does for everyone else?

Tools - What technologies will be common and which will be obsolete?

Information literacy becomes very critical in a Web 3.0 world.

Finding the information we want, verifying the information, and applying the information are all components of information literacy.

Google Squared
http://www.google.com/squared
Example: Look Up US Presidents on Google Squared - http://www.google.com/squared/search?q=US+Presidents

• You can add and delete columns. When you add a column, Google searches the information for you. EX: Add a column for spouses to the US Presidents Search
• Hover over any square in your search results to see where the information is coming from. Click on the square to select a different source.
• Google squared results can be saved to Google Docs and further manipulated

Narrowing Down Your Search - Use Google Advanced Search!
Efficiency in search is important in the ocean of information that is on the Internet

• Click that Advanced Search link to the right of the Google Search Box on the home page
• Use the fields and watch Google build the syntax for you
• Narrow searches by file type (just looking for PowerPoints?)
• Use usage rights filter to make sure you are not violating anyone's copyright (students are no longer protected by fair use when the graduate from school, so it is important to teach this)

Google Wonder Wheel - Look in left column of a Google results page for the link

• Returns search results in a web/mindmap format

Google Scholar - look for professional content (white papers, legal briefs, etc)

Google Image Swirl - Similar to Wonder Wheel but for images. Categorizes the type of image you are looking for.

You Tube - Upload a video to get help!

• Ex: Help With Bow Drill Set - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuFsDN8dsJU
• Digital Citizenship - boy never shows his face or gives his name or phone number
• Digital Literacy - boy created the video and is sourcing the cloud to get assistance with his project

Google Mobile - m.google.com

• Search using your voice and your location. Find websites, local businesses, product prices and more.

Google SMS

• Search Google via text messages
• Text message query to: 466453
• Text HELP to 466453
• Send STOP to cancel to 466453
• Example - let students look up words while they are reading

Soople.com

• Gives multiple ways to search Google. Many of the same features as Google advanced search but in a little more user friendly format
• Google has its own form of this - www.google.com/intl/en/help/features.html

From the Google home page, be sure to click the More link at the top and click the Even More selection from the menu to see tons of Google tools you probably never even knew existed!

Ins and Outs Of Google Certification

Notes from a TCEA 2011 Google Academy breakout session.

Jennifer Bergland
TCEA

Apps for Education Certified Training Website
http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/edu/certification_index.html

Google is looking for people who will conduct themselves professionally and who will represent Google well.

If you become a trainer, you must commit to providing trainings at least three times per quarter.

If you become a trainer, your name is listed on a Google website so others can contact you to provide training.

NOTE: You should take all of the certification tests before filling out the online application.

The application to become a certified trainer is very in depth. When applying to become a certified trainer, you will need to prove experience providing professional development. This will include an outline and details of a professional development experience you have facilitated.

Google also wants to see evidence of a web presence and use of Web 2.0 tools. Parts of your application will be submitted via Google docs.

You will need to submit a two minute training video showing a key concept in Google Apps.

TIP: Print the online application first so you can pull together everything you need to apply.

You will need to complete and pass 6 Tests.

• Each test costs $15.
• You have 90 minutes and must make an 80 on each test.
• Must complete all tests within 90 days.
• You may look up answers as you take the test...however don't count on that to substitue for studying.

Google Apps Education Training Center
http://edutraining.googleapps.com/

• Some of the training modules take several hours to complete. Jennifer suggests reading the modules then going and practicing what they talk about.
• Jennifer used Diigo to highlight key sections of the modules, then went to Diigo and used the highlighted text as a study guide.
• Study a module then take the test the same day if possible.
• System administration questions will be included in the tests.
• If you see a link in a module, you should click it and read up on it - it will probably be on the test.
• You can take all of the tests and pass them before filling out the online application.
• Passing score on a test is 80. Must wait 7 days before retaking the test. Retakes cost $15 just like the original test.

Keeping Your Certification

• Teach required number of trainings each year (3 per quarter)
• Retake a certification test each year

Google Apps in the Middle School Classroom

Notes from a breakout session at TCEA 2011 Google Academy

Amy Hopkins
Caddo Mills ISD

Links to Presentation http://scr.bi/fu4LbV or http://bit.ly/if4vF8


BACKGROUND

• Implemented use of Google Accounts in her classroom 4 years ago with 8th graders
• District converted email to Google Apps 2 years ago
• Converted classroom/middle school campus to Google Apps for Ed this year

Why Google Apps for Education?

• Because online life is what students know. We have to join them there. Video: Joe's NonNetbook
  http://www.schooltube.com/video/e2a65510fe9bb5687091/Joes-NonNetbook
• Video from Google
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRYRbPCHTck

Caddo Mills 6th Graders Use:

• iGoogle
  Customized homepage
  Students can pick themes and gadgets to add to page educational and personal
• Gmail
  Gives students an email address to  make signing up for educational websites EASY!
  Teachers communicate with students on regarding assignments, tests/quizzes, etc
• Docs/Spreadsheets
  Ability to create documents - word  processing, spreadsheets, and presentations
  Upload already-created documents and continue working
  Access from anywhere the user has an Internet connection
  Create forms
  Collaborate on documents with each other
• Bookmarks
  Students can save their favorite websites to access at any time
  Create "labels" or folders/categories to keep them organized
  Share bookmarks with others
  No more having to remember website names and addresses!
  Students put a widget for it on their iGoogle page
• Reader
  Constantly checks favorte news sites and blogs for new content
  Shows all of your favorite sites in one convenient place
  A great site for kids to learn about Current Events that we subscribe to! The Big Picture
• Notebook
  Aids in compiling research - save only the information from a website that is really wanted
  "Clip" information into notebooks for later access
  Makes creating citations for a Works Cited page a SNAP! - saves all needed information
  Note: Google has said it is no longer upgrading Notebook
• Calendar
  Receive email or mobile text-message reminders
  Share calendars with others
  Print calendars if needed
  Access Google Calendar from a mobile phone
• Picnik
  Acquired by Google - March 1, 2010
  Edit digital photos

Random Tip: When teaching keyboarding, make kids wear basketball dribbling glasses so students can't see the keyboard

Educating in the Cloud with Google Apps

Notes from breakout session at TCEA 2011 Google Academy

Scott Floyd (@woscholar on Twitter)
Director of Instructional Technology, White Oak ISD

Presentation: http://tinyurl.com/tceagoogle

White Oak ISD has been using GAFE for four years and only had three brief outages. A couple of them weren't even noticed because Google has so much redundancy.

What about FERPA or CIPA violations? WOISD trusts the professionalism of their staff and has had no problems with these in reference to GAFE.

WOISD uses GAFE all the way down to third grade. They allow high school students to use personal Gmail accounts and Google Apps so they can build a digital footprint of their own without having to export the data from WO GAFE at the end of high school.

YouTube video: Teachers and Principals Talk About Google Docs
Google Apps improves ENGAGEMENT, which in turn improves LEARNING when implemented well by teachers. No tool on its own improves learning.

Example Project: Google form embedded in a blog where students are recording trout hatching in an aquarium over time. Collaborating with an elementary school in Austin who also has an aquarium and keeping track through shared Google docs.

You can now log in to your GAFE domain from the main Google home page. Just use your full email address including your GAFE domain name.

Note: When using Google shared calendar, a Private event means anyone who shares your calendar can still see the event. Public means it can be found by anyone in Google search.

WO ISD no longer uses Microsoft Office. They use Open Office when they need desktop applications.

A Day in the Life: Google Apps for Teachers

Notes from a breakout session at TCEA 2011 Google Academy

A Day in the Life - Google Apps for Teachers
Julia Stiglitz - Business Development Manager Google Apps for Education

50 Ways to Use Google Apps in the Classroom - Great presentation with links to many of the examples!

Google Moderator Site for this Presentation: http://www.google.com/moderator/#16/e=5847a

GOOGLE DOCS IDEAS

Collaborative Writing with Google Docs - Teacher can review revision history to see the writing process of students and which student contributed to each part of the document. You can even see when they wrote it (last minute? took sufficient time?). Gives teacher great insight into the student's writing process. Teacher can also add feedback for students to the document using Insert Comment feature. You can also share comments with other teachers to see if everyone is on the same page regarding requirements. In the end, students can publish the final product to the web.

Reading Response Journals - Students write reading responses. Teacher does not have to carry around notebooks and can give more immediate feedback.

Google Translate - Write a letter to parents in English and use translate feature to change it to Spanish or whatever language you need it to go to.

Sign Up Sheets - Post a spreadsheet on the web where parents can sign up for a time to come to a conference, etc.

Science Experiments - Use Google Form to collect data. Several groups can contribute data to the same spreadsheet. Insert a Google Gadget - Ex: Motion Graph. Can then publish data to the web for review or extended learning.

Flash Card Center Gadget- Create flash cards from a Google spreadsheet

GOOGLE FORMS IDEAS

• Formative and Summative Assessments - Especially good in 1:1 environments. Can adjust lesson on the fly based on student background knowledge or learning during the lesson.
• Student Surveys
• Teacher or Student Observations - Can work anywhere with a browser, including with a smart phone
• Online Reading Record - Student can enter reading hours and responses
• Track Discipline Referrals
• Rubric for Grading Student Work or Presentations - For teacher or for whole class to peer evaluate
• Collecting Info from Parents or Teachers
• Spelling/Multiplication Tests - Write a formula to grade it for you!
• Collect Science Data
• Survey School

CALENDAR

• Standards Mapping - keep everyone on the same pace in scope and sequence
• Check out shared resources
• Share calendars and schedule grade level, team, campus, etc. events

GMAIL

• Translate and send emails in other languages
• Remember to check out Google labs for useful gadgets

GOOGLE TALK

• Bring guest speakers into your classroom without them having to travel to your physical location
• Invite grandparents or other guests to read a story to the class
• Hold "office hours" to give homework help
• Hold class on a snow day!
• Video chat is just 1:1, but text chat can be between multiple people

GOOGLE SITES

• Teacher Websites
• Student ePortfolios - Every student at Clemson University uses a Google site to create a portfolio
• Embed calendars, documents
• Student Newspapers - Brown University

Google Academy Opening Session TCEA 2011

OK folks...I'm trying an experiment in live blogging as I attend the Texas Computer Education Association 2011 Convention and Exposition. Basically, I'll be taking notes here on my blog. I hope this winds up being useful to any readers as well as serving as a plce for me to look back and reflect on my learning.

First Up - Google Academy Opening Session

Colleges & K12s: considering or using Apps for Edu? Check out the new Guide to Going Google: eduguide.googleapps.com

Presentation by Leslie Fischer, chief geek of lesliefischer.com (@lesliefischer on Twitter)

• Full presentation is on her website at lesliefischer.com - http://www.lesliefisher.com/handouts/google_preso_fisher.pdf
• RockMelt - a browser built on Google chrome - puts Facebook and Twitter info all on one screen, also suggests RSS feeds for sites you use frequently. You don't have to leave your web browsing to check on FB and Twitter.
• Did you know Google Docs now does OCR? Upload a .pdf ant it will convert it to a Google Doc file
• http://www.googleartproject.com/ - Google has used street view technology to post tours of the world's greatest museums.

This was a fast presentation and I will come back and post links to it later. Live blogging is fun but it is going to be an evolving skill for me. :-)

Filter Google Search Results by Reading Level

This morning a post on the Free Technology for Teachers blog alerted me to a new Google search feature which will let you filter your search results by reading level. There are three generic levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced.

In the Google web search forum and Google web search help, I didn't find any age/reading level correlations for these categories or information on how the levels are determined. I still think it's a tool worth investigating for many purposes. Educators might narrow down search results when they are looking for websites to recommend to their students. If students are taught to use the tool, it might save them time in web searching by filtering out sites that are likely to be too difficult for them to understand. Even parents might find this a useful tool for helping their kids with homework!

I have been wanting to try out a few different screencasting tools, so I took the opportunity to record a demonstration of how to use the new reading level filter using Screenr. Hopefully the quick demo below will start your wheels turning on how you might leverage this tool to your and your students' advantage. If it sparks any ideas, please share in the comments!