There will be three phases to this course. Those phases are based upon three factors:

• Past, Current & Present Trends, Applications and Tools

• Google GSuite Assessment, Training & Certification

• Google Classroom Setup, Manage and Duplicating.

The 1st Phase includes presentations of current events. Each learner will be exposed to the current technology "Best Practices" that are used across the country. The Learner will also be exposed to the past practice that support technology integration and application. These topics will happen throughout the course from Week 1 until the close of the course. New material will be added as tools are released and added to the PPS Technology Department. Learners are encouraged to continue their learning by subscribing to podcast, online forums or email list.

Google Suite is the heart of the Portland Public Schools technology. This suite includes many applications and is installed in all student Chrome books. Mastery of these tools will help educators increase learning, communication and engagement through a variety of tools for unique learning objectives. Tool instruction is tailored to the learner's needs. For example: If you are not familiar with GSlides, your learning will start there. If you're comfortable with most applications, your learning will be adjusted to acquiring Google Certification, which will require you to model a series of tools to demonstrate mastery. This phase will run throughout the length of the course and, in theory, will not end as you create custom goals to integrate more tools that are meaningful to you.

The final phase will come half-way through the course with Google Classroom. Google Classroom is our classroom management system (CMS) and part of the Google Suite. Many teachers are not familiar with all the options and this course will cover them. This phase is moved to the mid-point of the course to ensure learners have new lessons and tools they will upload, sync and bring into Google Classroom.

This course can be completed with an Internet connection, PPS Account (Gmail) and a laptop, desktop or even iPad. As with most technology, the faster, newer machine and higher speed Internet will make the course more palatable as you will not wait for video to load or for applications to run. Here is a list of recommendations

• A fast computer. The school Macbook Air is fine. If you have a newer version, all the better. PC or Chrome book is also fine, as-well-as desktops. Preferable will be a larger screen. You'll want to be sure you webcam is working. If it's not or you don't trust it, click here to see a list of other options for video.

  • A Chrome Browser: Yes you can use Safari, Edge, Explorer or Firefox, but you'll have a trouble free experience if you use Chrome; plus you'll experience all the great add-ons!

  • If you have an option of a second monitor, I HIGHLY encourage you get one. I'll have instructions here (coming soon) of how to hook those up. Click here to see my store (coming soon).

• A Tablet. Any tablet will do and having one will make your interaction even better. Tablets recommended are iOS iPad (the bigger the better) or an Android like the Tab 8 or Tab 10. (Click Here to learn more about Tablet Options for Google Suite (Coming Soon).

• Table Stylus. Not required but very helpful. If you like to draw, do math or you really like to hand score student work, the tablet and and a stylus are must have items.

• Internet Access: Dialup is not really going to cut it. For a pleasurable experience, you'll want at least 10mbps or preferable 20mbps+. I'm currently using 100mbps and it's fine for a family of four plus serval TV's that download movies, shows and apps.

• A Kindle Account: We'll have a couple readings. The cheaper versions are on Kindle and they're digital. Yes, you can purchase the paper version, but you'll find the Kindle version easier to use as you can notate, highlight, share, change the phone and much more; not to mention, you'll save $$$.

• Mobile Phone: Although not required, it does change how fast you can communicate. Some teachers do not feel comfortable here and that's okay. The tablet you use can be fine too. I HIGHLY recommend you have an external (from a computer) device to communicate, create and read!

• 3rd Party Software: This course will share lots of software options outside of Google that create community, energy and engagement. Some require a license and some don't. There is no requirement for purchase as we cannot tell you what would be the best fit for you. Spending money on software is your decision to make. We don't encourage purchase for the sake of a trial. We'll show you what it does and how you can experiment. You can decide from there if it's for you?