First Staff Training!

Since coming back from the GAFE summit in Las Vegas, I have tried to use some type of tech every day! In addition, I have had my students dive right on in with me. I knew that my colleague and I would need to show the staff what we have learned at the GAFE summit.  So we sent out a form collected our data and sorted our staff into two groups (beginners and proficient users).  I instructed the beginners which I was hesitant for I did not want to overwhelm them but show them the way of GAFE...LOL. The feedback that I got from my colleagues was positive and I didn't overwhelm them as much as I thought I would.  The BEST highlight was having them find a Google doc that I shared with them and having them all day and explaining/showing what REAL time collaboration looked like! MINDBLOWING! It was so much fun.  I truly enjoyed helping, providing tips to ease our workload as teachers, and showing them ways to incorporate technology into their instruction.  I had a PERMA-GRIN the entire presentation.  My principal sat in both our trainings and was so pleased with us that she asked for us to do another set in two weeks! I LOVE THIS! I can't wait. In fact, I am looking to see if there is another GAFE training I can go to during spring break or in the next several weeks. I use my Uncle Sam money to fund this! LOL On a side note, just figured out how to schedule a text message to be sent from my phone.  That is right! A scheduled message as a reminder to someone else. For example, in my house we have Arrowhead water delivered once a month.  So I scheduled a text to be sent to my mom tomorrow morning to remind her to take out the empty bottles.  I know #firstworldproblems! I am on cloud 9 and I hope I can get some sleep tonight! What a great day! :)

Google OVERDRIVE!

When my nephews get excited about something, they get crazy! They all talk at once, yell, run back and forth, and have this weird laugh.  This laugh borders the sanity level. It is an evil villain laugh mixed with a hiccup.  Seriously it is weird yet it runs in the family. 

 So prior to leaving for Las Vegas to the GAFE Summit, my principal informed myself and my teaching partner that upon our return if we could SHARE what we learned.  OF COURSE! I was excited and nervous at the same time.  Well now it is becoming a staff development of what we learned and we will train some staff in the ways of GAFE. SO in a conversation with my principal, she mentions that we could separate the staff into two groups to ease the load of such a large group.  In the midst of our conversation, that weird evil villain hiccup laugh came out! I tried to act cool but I just couldn't and we just laughed about it.  MORTIFIED...YES. HILARIOUS...DOUBLE YES! Just blame the nerves and the excitement.  My teaching partner (who is beyond awesome and the greatest friend ever) and I will be sharing what we learned in 2 weeks! In addition, I made my first EVER form with a 'choose your own adventure' enhancement to help gather feedback from the staff on what they know or feel their learning level is with GAFE. Currently I am working on collaborative science projects and using forms with my students on a daily basis.  

We did finish our collaborative math projects which were a BLAST and will continue working on a second batch with videos! WISH ME LUCK!