GTA UK - The Work Ahead...
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Mark Wagner, Ph.D.
Jun 9, 2009, 5:38:40 PM6/9/09
to Google Teacher Academy UK
Hey, all. Doug's tweets caught my eye, so I thought I'd stick my head
in here. Despite not being from the UK, I think you might be
interested in what I have to share... if you're serious about bringing
the GTA to the UK. ;)
I work with Computer Using Educators (CUE), a California non-profit
membership organization that is contracted by Google to produce the
Google Teacher Academy. We've produced all seven GTAs. I was a lead
learner (presenter) at the first one and all but one since, and I've
been the director of the program for all but the first three events. I
also coordinate the Google Workshop for Educators, which can be seen
as the open and on-demand version of the GTA (but without
certification as a Google Certified Teacher).
The Google Teacher Academy requires a few things in order to happen:
1. Funding from Google: Google won't have participants pay for
certification when they will be expected to work as "evangelists" for
Google after their certification. (Note that Google is thankfully now
OK with participants paying their own travel, which is why the GTA is
now open to applicants from around the world.) It takes about $50k to
produce the one day event. The funding for recent events has come from
the Google Apps: Education Edition team... but believe it or not this
sort of funding for face-to-face events is hard to come by at Google.
2. A location: Google will only host a GTA at their offices, and
indeed the immersion in the Google culture is an important part of the
experience. Most Google offices do not have the facilities to host a
GTA. One large "tech talk" room that can hold about 75 - and at least
two break out rooms that can hold about 25 - are required, as are on-
site restaurants for the meals.
3. An application process: In order to participate in a free GTA and
become a Google Certified Teacher, participants must complete an
application (which includes a 1 minute video) and be invited by Google
to attend.
The current GTA is happening in Boulder, CO in large part because the
Googlers at that office actively lobbied to host the event. So, if you
have contacts in your local office, there is some hope in encouraging
them to do the same. There is nothing that says the GTA has to happen
in the US, and I think we'd all like to do it elsewhere... there just
hasn't been support for that internally. In any case, to have a true
GTA in the UK, I think this is your best course of action, especially
if your local office can also provide funding (and provided they have
the facilities for it).
The other option is for you to bring the same team out for an open and
on-demand version of the GTA. In recognition of the high demand for
this sort of professional development, Google has given CUE the green-
light to produce a Google Workshop for Educators using the same
presenters, materials, and activities as the Google Teacher Academy.
Usually, these are actually shorter events (6 hours instead of 12 - in
keeping with a normal teacher workday), and they are usually
customized for a specific audience - in most cases, including fewer
segments and more hands-on activities to ensure that the wider range
of educators participating have a positive experience with each tool.
However, a full blown GTA-like event is also possible. The GWE can be
funded by a hosting organization, a sponsor, or individual
participants. The location can be anywhere, including one of your
school sites or a local university. And the application process is
entirely optional - and usually omitted (because there is no Google
Certification involved). If you're interested in this option, you can
find more information on CUE's website:
http://www.cue.org/cuetoyou/gwe
I hope what I've shared about the GTA will be helpful to this group,
and I hope the option of the GWE comes off only as another option for
a group of passionate users - not as a sales pitch. ;)
In any case, it will be interesting to see what sort of change this
group might effect. Kudos to Doug for kicking it off and promoting
it. :)
-Mark
Mark Wagner, Ph.D.
Professional Development Coordinator
Computer Using Educators (CUE)
http://www.cue.org/cuetoyou/
mwa...@cue.org
MarkWagnerIM (AIM)
markdwagner (Skype)
markwagner (Twitter)
949-394-6071
in here. Despite not being from the UK, I think you might be
interested in what I have to share... if you're serious about bringing
the GTA to the UK. ;)
I work with Computer Using Educators (CUE), a California non-profit
membership organization that is contracted by Google to produce the
Google Teacher Academy. We've produced all seven GTAs. I was a lead
learner (presenter) at the first one and all but one since, and I've
been the director of the program for all but the first three events. I
also coordinate the Google Workshop for Educators, which can be seen
as the open and on-demand version of the GTA (but without
certification as a Google Certified Teacher).
The Google Teacher Academy requires a few things in order to happen:
1. Funding from Google: Google won't have participants pay for
certification when they will be expected to work as "evangelists" for
Google after their certification. (Note that Google is thankfully now
OK with participants paying their own travel, which is why the GTA is
now open to applicants from around the world.) It takes about $50k to
produce the one day event. The funding for recent events has come from
the Google Apps: Education Edition team... but believe it or not this
sort of funding for face-to-face events is hard to come by at Google.
2. A location: Google will only host a GTA at their offices, and
indeed the immersion in the Google culture is an important part of the
experience. Most Google offices do not have the facilities to host a
GTA. One large "tech talk" room that can hold about 75 - and at least
two break out rooms that can hold about 25 - are required, as are on-
site restaurants for the meals.
3. An application process: In order to participate in a free GTA and
become a Google Certified Teacher, participants must complete an
application (which includes a 1 minute video) and be invited by Google
to attend.
The current GTA is happening in Boulder, CO in large part because the
Googlers at that office actively lobbied to host the event. So, if you
have contacts in your local office, there is some hope in encouraging
them to do the same. There is nothing that says the GTA has to happen
in the US, and I think we'd all like to do it elsewhere... there just
hasn't been support for that internally. In any case, to have a true
GTA in the UK, I think this is your best course of action, especially
if your local office can also provide funding (and provided they have
the facilities for it).
The other option is for you to bring the same team out for an open and
on-demand version of the GTA. In recognition of the high demand for
this sort of professional development, Google has given CUE the green-
light to produce a Google Workshop for Educators using the same
presenters, materials, and activities as the Google Teacher Academy.
Usually, these are actually shorter events (6 hours instead of 12 - in
keeping with a normal teacher workday), and they are usually
customized for a specific audience - in most cases, including fewer
segments and more hands-on activities to ensure that the wider range
of educators participating have a positive experience with each tool.
However, a full blown GTA-like event is also possible. The GWE can be
funded by a hosting organization, a sponsor, or individual
participants. The location can be anywhere, including one of your
school sites or a local university. And the application process is
entirely optional - and usually omitted (because there is no Google
Certification involved). If you're interested in this option, you can
find more information on CUE's website:
http://www.cue.org/cuetoyou/gwe
I hope what I've shared about the GTA will be helpful to this group,
and I hope the option of the GWE comes off only as another option for
a group of passionate users - not as a sales pitch. ;)
In any case, it will be interesting to see what sort of change this
group might effect. Kudos to Doug for kicking it off and promoting
it. :)
-Mark
Mark Wagner, Ph.D.
Professional Development Coordinator
Computer Using Educators (CUE)
http://www.cue.org/cuetoyou/
mwa...@cue.org
MarkWagnerIM (AIM)
markdwagner (Skype)
markwagner (Twitter)
949-394-6071
Doug Belshaw
Jun 9, 2009, 5:50:34 PM6/9/09
to Google Teacher Academy UK
Many thanks for that very insightful and considered response, Mark -
much appreciated! :-)
For the record, Tom Barrett and Dai Barnes can take the credit, it was
just me with the ADD who couldn't keep my fingers still during the
FlashMeeting... ;-)
much appreciated! :-)
For the record, Tom Barrett and Dai Barnes can take the credit, it was
just me with the ADD who couldn't keep my fingers still during the
FlashMeeting... ;-)
Roger Neilson
Jun 10, 2009, 5:39:09 AM6/10/09
to Google Teacher Academy UK
Comments sent to Doug as email, shared here also refers to paragraphs
in Mark's posting:
1. Worth having an explore with UK Google if we can get a contact.
Would be nice to have a jolly to the States, but it would be seen by
people as exactly that I think, and getting time off etc etc etc.
Better to hold it over here and ideally at Google offices (if they
exists etc) and get the full Kudos of certification. If this could be
done then I think it would be fantastic. I have a way of getting to a
contact at Google UK if there is no 'offical way available to us.
2. Seems like this is going to be the stumbling block, reading between
the lines Google are doctrinaire about this and i'd be very surprised
if their offices over here are that flash. OTOH its a first outside of
the States so might attract extra backing and flexibility about a
proximate location.
Ok, if we go down the GWE road then I think there are loads of
possibilites which would be avalable using the CLC network. Decisions
would have to be made on funding, location (ease of travel and
accomodation and catering). As one of the National CLC reps I have the
ability to talk to others about this, and we have our national
conference in early July where it could be further floated and support
gathered. I'm also down at BECTA on Friday for our regular CLC
meeting.
Roger
in Mark's posting:
1. Worth having an explore with UK Google if we can get a contact.
Would be nice to have a jolly to the States, but it would be seen by
people as exactly that I think, and getting time off etc etc etc.
Better to hold it over here and ideally at Google offices (if they
exists etc) and get the full Kudos of certification. If this could be
done then I think it would be fantastic. I have a way of getting to a
contact at Google UK if there is no 'offical way available to us.
2. Seems like this is going to be the stumbling block, reading between
the lines Google are doctrinaire about this and i'd be very surprised
if their offices over here are that flash. OTOH its a first outside of
the States so might attract extra backing and flexibility about a
proximate location.
Ok, if we go down the GWE road then I think there are loads of
possibilites which would be avalable using the CLC network. Decisions
would have to be made on funding, location (ease of travel and
accomodation and catering). As one of the National CLC reps I have the
ability to talk to others about this, and we have our national
conference in early July where it could be further floated and support
gathered. I'm also down at BECTA on Friday for our regular CLC
meeting.
Roger
Doug Belshaw
Jun 10, 2009, 12:54:23 PM6/10/09
to Google Teacher Academy UK
I think the CLC model could work - precisely because, as you say
Roger, Google haven't got big and flashy offices, etc. over here!
Might it be worth you getting in touch with them in your official
capacity on behalf of us all? :-)
Roger, Google haven't got big and flashy offices, etc. over here!
Might it be worth you getting in touch with them in your official
capacity on behalf of us all? :-)
hgjohn
Jun 10, 2009, 2:39:59 PM6/10/09
to Google Teacher Academy UK
What about the NCSL? It was a fantastic venue for Teachmeet and could
meet all the criteria easily.
meet all the criteria easily.
Alex Jones - Manager of Sheffield West CLC
Jun 11, 2009, 5:35:45 AM6/11/09
to Google Teacher Academy UK
Another CLC Manager here - Roger's suggestion is a very good one. CLCs
have excellent facilities and are well placed across England.
Alex
have excellent facilities and are well placed across England.
Alex
Tom Barrett
Jun 11, 2009, 12:00:17 PM6/11/09
to Google Teacher Academy UK
The NCSL would be a great venue for a GWE event - has accommodation,
restaurant, good AV and seminar/meeting rooms and facilities. Wouldn't
come cheap though and the question of sponsorship or how you would
fund an event not backed by Google (yet completely about Google!) is a
tricky one.
restaurant, good AV and seminar/meeting rooms and facilities. Wouldn't
come cheap though and the question of sponsorship or how you would
fund an event not backed by Google (yet completely about Google!) is a
tricky one.
Alex Jones - Manager of Sheffield West CLC
Jun 12, 2009, 9:54:38 AM6/12/09
to Google Teacher Academy UK
I can offer my CLC - one big room that can fit 70 and 2 breakout
classrooms as well as cafe
No charge for this from us if it helps move this along
Alex
On Jun 11, 5:00 pm, Tom Barrett <thomasgeorgebarr...@googlemail.com>
wrote:
classrooms as well as cafe
No charge for this from us if it helps move this along
Alex
On Jun 11, 5:00 pm, Tom Barrett <thomasgeorgebarr...@googlemail.com>
wrote:
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