Speed Dating with Google

I have to start by saying that +Kathy Brisentine is the mastermind behind this activity - so I just needed a SHOUT OUT! With that said, I learned a lot and had a blast being part of the first ever Jefferson Forest High School Speed Dating with Google professional development last week.

As a part of introducing a 1:1 Chromebook program, Kathy decided to have a "get-to-know-your-app" session. The speed dating was inside a larger half day session mixed with the SAMR model, 1:1 rollout of Chromebooks, and Google Certified Educator Level 1 requirements. So, there was a lot to soak up.

With the help of other instructional technology specialists, such as myself, she divided up the participants into four groups, based on the amount of tech help we had, and established stations with "G Suite dates." Each station focused on one item or set of items:

• Slides/Docs/Sheets
• Calendar
• Groups/Gmail
• Classroom
• Forms
• Extensions/Apps.  

Very Important Tip:

• Be very clear to the teachers: This is not a training session. No one expects the teacher to understand and use the product upon leaving the "date". (This may help lower some stress levels of novice Google users/teachers.) 

Contestant #1...

• The teachers were told their first "date" table and had 10 minutes to introduce themselves while the technology specialist provided some cool tips on how to use the G Suite product in the classroom. After 10 minutes they rotated clockwise until all G Suite products were introduced. 

Station/Table	1	2	3	4	AM
Drive	1	2	3	4	9:30-9:40
Email	2	3	4	1	9:40-9:50
Docs, Sheets, slides, Etc.	3	4	1	2	9:50-10:00
Classroom/Calendar	4	1	2	3	10:00-10:10
Bathroom	ALL	ALL	ALL	ALL	10:10-10:25
Google Forms	1	2	3	4	10:25-10:35
Calendar/ Classroom	2	3	4	1	10:35-10:45
Extensions and Apps	3	4	1	2	10:45-10:55

Modify as needed!

• Mix and match to fit your teacher needs or modify depending on how many technology specialists you have. We had 4 - so we had 4 stations. Either way, it creates ideas mixed with curiosity. If done right (which I think we did), the teachers have a few take-aways and ideas.

Where to go after Speed Dating?

• I think most importantly, we listen to teacher needs. After the session, Kathy sent out a survey to see how it went and thoughts on interest level on the G Suite products we introduced. This feedback will be used to assess ourselves and plan more personalized pd for Jefferson Forest staff in the future. Don't forget to reflect!

I can't wait to do it again!!

Thanks again, @Kbristeach!