Monday 27 February 2012

Google Teacher Academy

Five hours, yes, I'll say it again... five hours! That's how long it took me to create a one minute video to submit for my application to the Google Teacher Academy 2012. I was still not happy when I finally uploaded it, and I also complained on Twitter about just how long it had taken me.
But, as I now realise, it was definitely time well spent. Why? Well, I am one of the very fortunate people to have been chosen to attend the Academy in London in April, 2012. Out of fifty places, twenty five have been given to overseas teachers, coming from places as wide ranging as Mexico, USA, South Africa and Argentina.
That makes me even prouder that two places from the UK were given to teachers from Norfolk. Sheli Blackburn (@SheliBB) was also accepted, and we have already got hotels and trains booked.
While I am already a Google Apps for Education Certified Trainer, I have always wanted to be able to take part in a Teacher Academy. I suppose because I am first and foremost a teacher, I love being able to explore and share how Google Apps are being used to support teaching and learning. Going through the process of becoming a Certified Trainer was great, but a very solitary activity. Once you complete the six online tests, you then have to submit a portfolio of work. The Googlers back in the USA then make the decision about whether or not you have met their standards. I know it is not a straight forward process as I'm aware that they are quite selective about who gets through.
But, the Teacher Academy is almost the complete opposite of this procedure. Even the process of creating the video and writing the online application ended up being a collective activity. So many great people were tweeting and sharing their thoughts and ideas. The level of support and collaboration was amazing. Those who were slightly more organised and had got their videos completed before the deadline were more than happy to share them.
I think this was one of the reasons that, while being ecstatic at being accepted, I felt bitterly disappointed for those who did not get there. With only fifty places, it was always going to be hard, but there are a lot of fantastic teachers out there who helped and supported many of us, but who did not get in.
I've made many great contacts as a result of going through this process, and the Academy is still six weeks away. I can't wait for us all to meet up, but I know that a lot of us will be tweeting furiously during the two days to make sure that as wide an audience as possible can get a flavour of what is going on.
Simon McLoughlin (@simcloughlin) has already started a shared document so we can find out who else is coming, and who will be around for the Tuesday evening before the real fun starts! Jo Badge and Kate Farrell have also been doing a great job getting a GTA circle going on Google+.
The collaboration, interaction and sharing is what I am most looking forward to, before, during and after the Academy. I think it will be an amazing experience that I hope I will be able to share with many other teachers through my role as an ICT Adviser.
For those who have not experienced the richness of a Personal Learning Network - I would suggest that following #gtauk on Twitter might help make you aware of some amazing people out there around the world who are willing to share, support and discuss almost anything! I know I learn something every time I spend any time on Twitter and Google+. I'm greedy now - I want more! I just hope I can give back as much as I take?!

3 comments:

  1. Great post Jill! I'm so excited to be going to #gtauk and have the opportunity to meet so many innovative people.
    My film also took around 5 hours (mostly because I hadn't read the info properly and had to restart it!)It was the first video I had ever uploaded to youtube and although I wasn't totally happy with it I decided that it would have to do. I could play around with it forever and make endless improvements, but it was half term and some relaxation was needed! (Plus @JenniH68 told me to stop working on it-great advice!)
    When I looked at some of the films on youtube and realised what high calibre they were (and how serious the messages were in them) I had twangs of regret that mine was unpolished. I had only showed two people at this point-@JenniH68 and @normal_for_JP (who gave me the inspiration for parts of it)- and they were lovely about it.
    It truly was a surprise that I got a place. I am very proud to be flying the ICT flag for Norfolk with Jill and am sure that we will bring loads of ideas back to share with friends and colleagues.

    London, here we come!

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  2. My video and application form took about five hours too....the night of the deadline in a hotel room in Istanbul! I am very grateful to my ever-patient husband for simply sighing and grabbing a book when I found out that the deadline was the next morning(as well as reading over my text and going out to fetch pizza!)

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  3. It's amazing how long it takes to create one minute of video! I made, what I thought, was a great one and showed it to my wife. She was as tactful as possible when she described how awful it was and it was back to the drawing board. Five hours later, one minute of video was uploaded to Google, just in time! Looking forward to meeting you at GTA.

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