Infographic: Google Sites for Gen Xers

I am learning in Canva. Here is an infographic I made about Google Sites.

This is a transparent PNG version.

Using Google Site To Make A Library Website (2 of 2)

So how did I make a Google Site for the library?

First thing first. I am a Gen Xer. I am a digital migrant. I grew up in between the age when the Internet was only thought of as a military intelligence surveilance tool and Apple, after going bankrupt, was only making a come back that Windows worshipping tech people scoffed at. So you know my context and my experience, I am not as tech savy as I appear to be.

But, I love learning. I ask questions. I am moody and easily triggered. You don't call us Xers for nothing. So here I am in the midst of a global health catastrophe, figuring out how to make online distance learning work, going through mid-life crisis in my mid-forties and managing mental health all at the same time. I need to whip up a space for students to find sustainability, a sense of permanence and continuity of learning.

Enter Google's G Suite for Education. It is amazing! Don't worry about the tech and the tools that go with it. It is there. It will grow in leaps and bounds. Where to begin? Here are broad strokes to begin with.

1. Know your purpose. Know your audience. Who you are creating a website for is as important as knowing the why. The how will follow. Plan and do a bit of research and development.

2. Know the technology. Understand the tools. Be sure you have the support of the school leadership and that a tech help desk is just within reach. Google has links and cheat sheets and you can learn from these resources, but nothing beats in-house knowledge of your learning community. It comes form years of experience and professional practice.

3. Plan your content. There are so many cool tech out there. Media is the message. But the content you put out there is still King.

4. When you make a plan, do everything necessary to make the flow of information clear and coherent. Do not forget citations, attributions and yes, courtesy if you are to use content made and created by other experts.

5. Make a time table. Two weeks for research and development. Another week for learning the tech. Two weeks for putting everything together.

6. Work with a team. Use your staff or colleagues who are part of the library and tech system in your school in organising content, building the site and communicating it to the community. At the get go, they should be on board where roles and duties are equally distributed.

7. Have a dry run. Be open to feedback. Change and revise as necessary.

8. Once the edits are done in the website, plan for a launching to the community. This may be done during library orientation periods and or sessions where the library is presented to the learning community.

9. Do not forget to make a quick guide. Never assume that everyone is a digital citizen.

10. Reflect. Assess. Evaluate. Take Action. The cycle of creation goes on.

These are for now. There will be more sharing of insights and processes in the future so, keep visiting the blog. I am also on Facebook, Twitter and IG. Often, I cross post and link my blog articles to my social media sites. See you online!

Teacher Techie of the Month: Winona Yapit-Diola

The blog's Teacher Techie of the month is none other than, Winona "Teacher Winnie" Yapit-Diola. 

Teacher Winnie joined De La Salle Zobel School in 1994 and handled diverse Science classes in Junior Prep, Grades 1 to 6 levels. She was recognized as DLSZ’s Outstanding Instructional Leader in 2014. Ms Winnie is an Apple Distinguished Educator, Class of 2015, a Distinguished Lasallian Leader Awardee, Certified Apple Teacher, Apple Accredited Professional Learning (PL) Consultant and Trainer, Certified Google Educator Level 1 and was named one of the winners of the 2016 Search for Outstanding Teachers by the Metrobank Foundation.

If I were not a teacher, I would be either a factory worker or a nurse

How did you bridge or overcome the challenges of learning new technology for classroom instruction? 

In the implementation of Next Generation Blended Learning Program in De La Salle Zobel School, I was among the senior teachers who accepted the challenge to become innovators of the program and to teach with iPad as a tool for learning. I was quite hesitant at first but as the saying goes “If you can’t beat them, join them”. I joined the bandwagon of teachers who are willing to give it a try and implement the use of mobile devices inside the classroom. I attended tedious training on how to use a mobile device (iPad), deepened my understanding of the blended learning pedagogy, and prepared modules that combine both face to face activities and electronic/online learning. And together, we prepared rules on the proper use of mobile devices in class and explored mobile applications that can be useful to my students. For me, it is a two-way learning process as I guide my students learn the content, creativity, cooperation, and collaboration in my subject area. I also learn from them different apps, tricks and tips on the use of mobile devices. Then, I started to see myself as a facilitator of learning who allows students to learn in unconventional ways as they accomplish tasks that are previously inconceivable.

Some teachers fall for the idea of putting technology inside the classroom and making them available for use without having a clear pedagogy and specific ideas on how to incorporate them to improve student learning. So they end up facing challenges/ difficulties on when to use or how to manage the use of technology in class. Teachers should put in mind the importance of providing activities that are driven by pedagogy and not by the mere presence of technology.

Teacher Winnie with family meeting  DepEd Secretary Briones and President Duterte after being awarded the as Metrobank's Most Outstanding Teacher of 2016.

What is the recipe for a successful integration of technology in education/instruction?

The recipe for a successful integration of technology in education lies on the ability of the teachers to innovate and to foster creativity. A teacher who understands the pedagogy that responds to the learning styles of students and learning modalities that would help students simulate real world environment as they use different available technology.

As facilitators of learning, teachers should ask themselves this question- “How do I use technology to develop the skills needed by 21st century learners so they become successful adults?” And if the needed skills of digital learners are addressed and student learning is improved with the use of technology, then we can say that the technology integration is successful.

What would help teachers’ transition from traditional tech use to digital tech use?

Transforming from traditional use of technology to digital technology use does not happen overnight. The greatest challenge to us, teachers, is to learn to use technology to teach effectively and to inspire student learning and creativity- to get out of the comfort zone to see the unknown of having a transformative blend of instruction while using available technologies.

Teachers must be willing to unlearn, learn, and relearn different pedagogy, skills needed by digital learners, teaching modalities, and effective F2F teaching strategies for effective classroom instruction. They should not focus on how to use technology in the classroom. Rather, they need to put more emphasis in providing student-centered activities to amplify students’ potential to become lifelong learners who are reflective, competent, creative, critical thinkers and problem- solvers. 

Teachers should combine innovative strategies and various technology tools to promote the 4Cs of 21st Century Learning- Collaboration to produce outputs whether offline or online, Communication with peers and/or experts through diverse environment, Critical thinking to solve problems, and Creativity in building new knowledge as they connect learning to real world situations and involves practical work. When teachers and students focus more on achieving their goals and skills to master, the use of technology comes in handy.

Teacher Winnie is online. Go find her and make a connection!

Ms. Winnie Diola’s Online Portfolio- https://sites.google.com/dlszobel.edu.ph/diolawy/home

Twitter: diolawy

Facebook: winniediola

Here are Teacher Winnie's upcoming workshops.

October 18-19, 2017 - Seminar- Workshop: De la Salle Zobel Santiago School’s SparkEd 2017: Transforming Education Through Technology and Next Generation Blended Learning

December 7-8, 201 -Department of Education’s 1st ICT Summit