Google Drive & Cloud Computing Grant Proposal

Abstract

This proposal is aimed at the professional development of the faculty of Bobby Long Middle School. The school is made up of approximately 80 teachers that have expressed a need for more reliable and accessible technology. In order to meet the needs of these teachers, it is logical to provide them with an all-in-one professional training package. The Google Apps collection provides the means to meet most of the needs of the staff members. By providing teachers with training in the use of Google Docs, Spreadsheets, Slides, Drive, and Classroom, we will be able to meet and exceed the needs of faculty and students. The use of the Google Apps collection requires no cost to maintain or create an account--for any users. The Google Apps collection also provide a means of document creation that is accessible by any smart device that is connected to the internet--all at no cost. Beyond single-user document creation, Google Apps also allow for multi-user collaboration, sharing, and publishing. By using Google Classroom, teachers can provide a digital portal for parents, administrators, and other teachers who may otherwise be missing materials for a variety of reasons. We expect that teachers will be able to effectively use the Google Apps collection following their training and then be able to pass that knowledge on to the students--making for a more successful, accessible, and collaborative learning community.

Proposal Text (Demonstrated Need, Goals and Objectives, Plan of Operation)

Demonstrated Need

Information for this proposal was collected using a survey given to the faculty members (see Appendix A). The survey consisted of various technology-based questions. Some questions were simple yes/no, while others required a short-response. The survey was given anonymously to faculty members, and the information was compiled into a spreadsheet by the schools technology specialist. Several teachers requested that their technology simply be fixed: lightbulbs, batteries, missing connections, and other hardware problems were documented in the teachers responses. These responses were noted, but they are not the focus of the professional development intended by this proposal.The information showed a general request for more reliable and accessible technology. For this proposal, the need for professional development in technology was the focus and there is an apparent need for a more reliable form of technology access. This grant is intended to provide a more reliable means for faculty to access various resources.

Goals and Objectives

This training will be beneficial to teachers in order to advance their implementation of technology in the classroom on a daily basis. The goal of this training is for teachers to become efficient with the applications of tools provided in the Google Suite, including but not limited to: Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Drive, and Google Classroom.

1. By August 2015, 100% of certified staff will be able to create a document in Google Docs to increase coherence, collaboration, and commitment among staff and students. 2. By August 2015, 100% of certified staff will have access to and be able to upload, share, and organize files using Google Drive to promote collaboration, ease-of-access, and portability of documents from various formats.3. By December 2015, 100% of certified staff will create a Google Classroom in order to increase communication, collaboration, and engagement with students within and outside the classroom.4. By December 2015, all students will have access to Google Classroom and Google Drive, as well as create and share documents in order increase communication, collaboration, and feedback.

Plan of Operation

Prerequisite Activities:

Amount of Time Activity Will TakeType of TrainingDescription

1 Hour(post-planning 2014-2015)Teachers will watch a tutorial on setting up a Google account then set up their own account.

The trainer will introduce setting up a Google account with an introduction/tutorial video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Sv9ocaRXB8 Then, teachers will create their own Google account with step-by-step instruction. The trainer will give a brief overview of the Google tools: slides, docs, sheets, calendar, etc using the following website: https://www.google.com/edu/training/get-trained/ The trainer will give an explanation of objectives 1 and 2 for independent teacher completion.

Objective One and Two Activities:

Amount of Time Activity Will Take Type of TrainingDescription

Independent (must be completed by Pre-Planning 2015-2016Independent Module: Teachers will complete the online module independently and create artifact. Teachers will use the website https://www.google.com/edu/training/get-trained/docs-suite/introduction.html and complete Lesson 1 of the Module. Teachers will create one assignment in google docs.

Independent (must be completed by Pre-Planning 2015-2016

Independent Module:Teachers will complete the online module independently and create artifact.

Teachers will use the website https://www.google.com/edu/training/get-trained/docs-suite/introduction.html and complete Lesson 2 of the Module. Teachers will share their assignment from Lesson 1.

Objective Three Activities:

Amount of Time Activity Will TakeType of TrainingDescription

One hour

(Pre-Planning of 2015-16 School Year)Teachers will watch a tutorial and a brief introduction to Google Classrooms then set up their own classrooms.

The trainer will introduce Google Classrooms with an introduction video, then show teachers how to set up a classroom by demonstrating it.Trainer will then share this website, http://www.google.com/edu/training/get-trained/classroom/basics.html,which takes educators step by step through creating a classroom.Teachers will then create (with assistance as needed from trainer) classrooms for each class they teach.

One Class Period

By August 31, 2015Teachers will either take their classes to a computer lab, use their own devices, and use purchased Chromebooks to join a Google Classroom (and learn to access and use other Google Apps for Education):Teacher will provide the specific class code and have students join the class.Based on a lesson plan provided by the developers of this professional development, the teachers will instruct and inform students on the competencies of Google Drive, Google Classroom, and Google Docs/Presentations.

One Hour PL Session during planning or after school

By September 18, 2015Teachers will learn to create and manage an assignment or assessment in Google Classroom, then they will collaborate as a content and develop a small assignment and then assign it to students in all their classrooms.

Trainer will demonstrate creation and management of an assignment within the Classroom while teachers watch and Teachers will work in their content groups to learn to develop and create an assignment in Google Classroom with trainer monitoring and assisting groups and individual teachers as needed. Screencast can also be referenced to assist teachers in creating and managing an assignment.

One Class Period

By September 30, 2015Teachers will either take their classes to a computer lab, use their own devices, or use mobile laptops to allow students time to learn to complete assignments on Google Classroom and complete the assignment teachers created in previous PL session.Teachers will have a lesson and and resources from the trainer to assist students as they log in to Google Classroom and work on and complete the assignment their teacher developed.

One Hour PL Session during planning or after school

Week of October 5-9, 2015Teachers will learn to view, grade, and return student assignments, and then they will grade and return the assignments students completed the previous week.Trainer will demonstrate how to view, grade, and return students assignments while teachers watch and follow along with printed directions.

Teachers will then work individually to grade and return student assignments with trainer monitoring and assisting as needed.

Objective Four Activities:

Amount of Time Activity Will TakeType of TrainingDescription

15 minutes

(Pre-Planning of 2015-16 School Year)Independently, teachers will watch a tutorial/screencast on how to provide feedback on student work. Each teacher will have an example of a student document shared with them in their Google Drive. They will then provide feedback based on the material learned in the tutorial. Teachers will then be able to share the knowledge with students.

Time will vary

(Pre-Planning of 2015-16 School Year)Independently, teachers will be required to watch a tutorial/screencast on how to collaborate via Youtube.Then, teachers will be placed in pre-determined groups and will collaborate on a lesson plan for Day 1 (of the school year activities). Each teacher will be placed in a pre-determined group and will be required to collaborate on a lesson plan. All people in the group will be required to contribute one activity to do on Day One as well as edit/add to someone elses input. This will demonstrate the teacher knows how to effectively collaborate and provide feedback and will thus be able to share this knowledge with students.

One class period.

(By December, 2015)Independently, teachers will take their classes to a computer lab, media center, or have mobile laptops sent to their rooms in order to instruct students on how to do the following:

Access Google Drive Access Google Classroom and join a class Create Documents Share Documents Student collaboration/feedback on documents. Based on a lesson plan provided by the developers of this professional development, the teachers will instruct and inform students on the competencies of Google Drive, Google Classroom, and Google Docs/Presentations.

Evaluation

Teachers will be evaluated using several different methods of assessment. For objectives 1 and 2, teachers are being required to complete online modules provided by Google. Not only do they have to show completion of artifacts from the lesson, but these modules also have a testing component built-in that requires a certain degree of competency in order to receive a passing grade. Teachers will be required to pass these modules before being able to move on to using the technology in the classroom. Once the modules have been shown as passing, there will also be a component where teachers apply what they have learned on those modules. Teachers will be required to create and share documents using Google Apps (Docs; Slides; Sheets). Teachers will share their creations in the Google Drive for the staff. In doing so, teachers are held accountable by their peers as well as the administration; all faculty will have access to the shared folder. The Google Drive can also be used to document Lesson Plans, Call Logs, and other required school documents, further extending the applications of the facultys knowledge of Google Apps. For Objectives 3 and 4, teams will be required to develop their classrooms. Because of the 100% requirement of the objectives, each teacher will need to have developed a Google Classroom in order to keep up with the other faculty members. Administration can ensure this task is completed using a signature form required by all team-members. As a fail-safe, administrators can be added as educators for each Google Classroom, giving them a way to track and ensure that the Google Classroom is being used effectively and appropriately by faculty and students.Overall, for each objective, teachers will complete a survey to assess the qualitative aspects of the professional development. Teachers will complete a post-training survey to assess their attitudes towards materials, training, and the experience as a whole.

ObjectiveEvaluation Type(s)Kirkpatricks Level of Evaluation

Objective 1: By August 2015, 100% of certified staff will be able to create a document in Google Docs to increase coherence, collaboration, and commitment among staff and students. Pre- and Post-Survey Google Online Module Assessment Application(s) of Google Docs

Level 1 & 2 Level 2 & 4 Level 3 & 4

Objective 2: By August 2015, 100% of certified staff will have access to and be able to upload, share, and organize files using Google Drive to promote collaboration, ease-of-access, and portability of documents from various formats. Pre- and Post-Survey Google Online Module Assessment Application(s) of Google Drive Level 1 & 2 Level 2 & 4 Level 3 & 4

Objective 3: By December 2015, 100% of certified staff will create a Google Classroom in order to increase communication, collaboration, and engagement with students within and outside the classroom. Pre- and Post-Survey Sign-off Sheet Application(s) of Google Classroom Level 1 & 2 Level 3 Level 3 & 4

Objective 4: By December 2015, all students will have access to Google Classroom and Google Drive, as well as create and share documents in order increase communication, collaboration, and feedback. Pre- and Post-Survey Sign-off Sheet Application(s) of Google Classroom Level 1 & 2 Level 3 Level 3 & 4

Budget

ObjectiveCostExplanation of Cost

Prerequisite: In order to learn about and implement reliable and accessible technology, teachers and students need a way to use the technology, so Chromebooks need to be purchased to meet the needs of the faculty.Student Chromebooks: $72, 540.00Teacher Chromebooks: $22,320.00TOTAL: $94,860.00Each Samsung Chromebook (with maintenance package) is $279 per computer.Each team (including connections classes) will need one class set of Chromebooks to use, in addition to the 80 teachers employed at the school.

Prerequisite: A teacher leader will be trained in the uses of Google Apps in order to provide effective modeling, exemplars, and troubleshooting assistance to fellow teachers. Hourly rate of Teacher Salary for two-day training.Approximate cost: $500In order to prevent higher-costs elsewhere by having a third-party trainer present at the school, a teacher leader will be provided the training needed to assist fellow staff members.

Prerequisite: Screencasts will be provided to teachers as reference materials.Screencast-o-matic two year license: $15A screencast will be needed to provide teachers with an exemplar to follow when a trainer is not readily available. By having a low-cost screencast to reference, additional trainers and money will not need to be spent.

Prerequisite: Teacher leader will develop screencasts as a reference.Hourly rate of Teacher Salary for creation of videos and lessons. (A time-log will be required for fulfillment of reimbursement).Teachers will be paid $25 for each screencast that is made and meets the standards of the trainer(s).A screencast will be needed to provide teachers with an exemplar to follow when a trainer is not readily available. By having a low-cost screencast to reference, additional trainers and money will not need to be spent.

Objective 1: Staff will be able to create a document in Google Docs to increase coherence, collaboration, and commitment among staff and students. NoneTeachers are using the Google Apps for Education Website that offers free training through modules. They will complete this module independently on their own time (post-planning, etc). Each teacher is already allotted a laptop that will be accessible for completion of this training. Training will be administered by Technology Specialist, Media Specialist, and Technology Committee.

Objective 2: Staff will have access to and be able to upload, share, and organize files using Google Drive to promote collaboration, ease-of-access, and portability of documents from various formats.NoneTeachers are using the Google Apps for Education Website that offers free training through modules. They will complete this module independently on their own time (post-planning, etc). Each teacher is already allotted a laptop that will be accessible for completion of this training.Training will be administered by Technology Specialist, Media Specialist, and Technology Committee.

Objective 3: Staff will create a Google Classroom in order to increase communication, collaboration, and engagement with students within and outside the classroom.NoneTeachers are using Google Classroom which offers its services at no cost. They will complete this task independently or as a team on their own time (pre-planning, etc.). Each teacher is already allotted a laptop that will be accessible for completion of this training.Training will be administered by Technology Specialist, Media Specialist, and Technology Committee.

Objective 4: All students will have access to Google Classroom and Google Drive, as well as create and share documents in order increase communication, collaboration, and feedback.

NoneTeachers and students are using Google Classroom which offers its services at no cost. They will complete this task independently or as a team on their own time (pre-planning, etc.). Each teacher is already allotted a laptop that will be accessible for completion of this training.Training will be administered by Technology Specialist, Media Specialist, and Technology Committee.

References

Google for Education. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/user/eduatgoogle

Google for Education: Google in your classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2015, from http://www.google.com/edu/training/get-trained/

Chrome Devices for Education Pricing. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2015, from http://www.google.com/chrome/education/devices/pricing.html

AppendicesA. Technology Survey ResultsB. Pre-Objectives Survey C.Post-Objectives Survey

Appendix A: Technology Survey Results

Appendix B: Pre-Objectives Survey

Appendix C