By the way, the Google Teacher Academy in Southern California was another amazing and full day… from literally 8:30 in the morning until 8:30 at night (with the debrief after). Everyone (leaders, presenters, participants, and Googlers) was high energy – and sharing inspiring thinking. The segment I presented (three times in 90 minutes – sheesh) went great and I really enjoyed connecting with so many innovative educators, especially since this time they all live within 90 minutes of me! I’m really appreciating the build-a-community model Google and WestEd have put together.
Incidentally, despite all the “cool tools” and amazing people in attendance the biggest “to do” I took away from the event was to get back into Second Life and check out the new Education Island II. I may even try to make the ISTE social tonight.
Also, the Google philosophy of letting employees spend 20% of their time on projects of their own choice struck me as a wise thing to incorporate into a classroom. How about letting students spend Friday learning whatever they want… with all the resources of the school and their teacher(s) at their disposal?