Challenge: Google Calendar

• What did you create, and why? I created a Google Calendar to share information with parents about field trips and upcoming events.
• What went well for you? The tutorial video was easy to follow and straight-forward. Adding information to the Calendar and adding it to my class website went smoothly.
• What was challenging? Everything went fairly smoothly. I think my biggest challenge, since I now have multiple calendars, will be remembering to select the correct calendar when entering a new event.
• What did you enjoy? In the past, I've felt like I had to add events such as field trips to multiple calendars (for me, for parents, etc.) and I like the fact that I can add it once where I can see it but it will automatically update the website calendar for parents as well.
• What ideas do you have for using this tool with your students, grade level, staff or to communicate with families? I'd consider using the calendar for some lesson planning since it will help keep all my information in once place. I could also use it to coordinate with grade-level teachers for planning and collaboration.
  My parent calendar.

Challenge: Google Calendar

What did you create and why?
I created a google calendar and I linked it to my SWIFT page.  I think this will make it easier for parents to be informed abut what's happening in our classroom.

What went well for you?
Everything went pretty well.  It was easy to add events to the calendar and create a link in SWIFT.

What was challenging?
The most difficult part for me was remembering to deselect video chat and also select the right calendar.  I am going to continue to play around with it and see if I can make it default to what I want.

What did you enjoy?
I enjoyed playing around with google calendar.  I like it better than the events page in SWIFT.  If I make a change in my calendar, it automatically updates in SWIFT.  Now I don't have to write myself notes to update my events!

What ideas do you have for using this tool with your students, grade level, staff or to communicate with families?
I think this will be an easy way to keep parents informed about upcoming important dates.  I think it could also be used by students for things like due dates, etc, but I'm not quite sure how to incorporate that into my daily classroom routine yet.

Here is the link to my website, which is still under construction!
http://teacher.edmonds.wednet.edu/beverly/ccaesar/calendar

Google Calendar: Daily Communication with Parents and Students

Google Calendar

• What did you create, and why?

I created a google calendar that connects to my Swift Site.  In the fall, when I create my Google Classrooms, I will also connect them there.  Ultimately, the students will have access to them directly from their google calendars on their chrome books.  I am really excited about the potential of communicating directly with entire classes all at once concerning assignments, deadlines, etc.

• What went well for you?

I have used personal google calendars for several years, organizing my families busy schedule.  I also used the Swift link with google calendars for the past year and a half.  I am most excited about the sync between my calendar and my students calendar.  If all the teachers use this, each student can potentially have all their assignments on their school calendar every day.  No more asking "what did I miss while I was absent?" or "I forgot to write down the homework assignment."

• What was challenging?

Currently, the biggest challenge is going to be keeping track of two calendars.  One in Outlook for work, and one with Google Calendars for my students/classes.  I wish/hope the district will invest in the Outlook/Google sync option so I can see my work calendar in the google calendar.  Sometimes It helps to have everything in one place. 

The only other challenges I have are when I first set up my calendar to sync, the biggest challenge is getting it set to public and then attaching the HTTPS: web address to the website.  After that, it was all a breeze.  I never have to change it again.  It is also a bit tedious having to create calendars for each class, but when it comes to adding assignments, the "Copy to . . ." function speeds that up tremendously.  

• What did you enjoy?

I am an organization freak.  I love to keep things organized in a smart way.  I think Google Calendars are going to be a great way for us to stay organized with our students.  Now I'd just wish I could sync that with my work calendar, too, and I'd be all set!

• What ideas do you have for using the tool?

I use this calendar daily for each of my classes.  I include the general bullet points of the lesson we do in class.  If there are book pages and problem numbers, I include them as well.  I also include any homework assignments.  This is a great way for students, parents, or anyone else to see not only what I am doing in class every day, but they can also see when assessments are going to be given or other class deadlines.  

Google Calendar

From a gal who still loves my old school handwritten calendar....I think I'm going to learn to love Google Calendar...a way to organize my crazy life in and out of school in one place. Working with students who struggle with organization, this will be a crucial tool for them, as they will all have their own Chromebook this year. I can't wait to help them organize this as soon as school starts ~ it will be really helpful for them and communication with families will improve.

I set up different calendars: Personal Calendar, Lesson Plans, IEP/Evaluation meetings, Classroom and School important dates and events. I love the color coding options - this will be super helpful to highlight holidays/assignments/events and keep them separated for both myself and my students. I also like the fact that I can choose which calendars are accessible to parents/students or just our department/PLCs etc. However, this could also get somewhat convoluted....I tried to keep it simple and allowed just one calendar to be accessed by students and families. I have a feeling that I will be refining this as I start using the calendars throughout the year and find out what works and what doesn't.

I am in the midst of changing cell phone providers, but when we do, I'm excited to synchronize my phone with my calendars....as this has been my missing link...making sure my family appointment/schedules do not conflict with school meetings/events etc.

I'm starting to feel a bit more google literate...on to my next Challenge!!

Welcome!

This blog is the shared space for technology campers taking part in the Edmonds Technology Summer Camp! Through a series of creative and fun challenges you will build your own knowledge and skill using technology. The learning from each challenge can be used in your classroom with students, with your grade level/department or with your staff. Each challenge asks you to share your thinking on this group blog as a brief reflection. 

The reflection should capture your experience and your thinking about the challenge and the tool you explored. Here are some questions to help you as you write your blog posts: 

• What did you create, and why? 
• What went well for you?
• What was challenging?
• What did you enjoy? 
• What ideas do you have for using this tool with your students, grade level, staff or to communicate with families? 

Please use these questions as a starting point and add any other thoughts and ideas.

View posts submitted by authors on the Technology Summer Camp Blog #1