GAFE Certification

Image from: http://memoirvita28.blogspot.ca/2013/05/college-life-exams-part-3.html

A few weeks ago I wrote the 6 google exams to become a Google Apps certified trainer.  Each of the 6 exams was made up of 60 multiple choice questions and there was a 90 minute time limit.  They were intense.  The good thing was that I didn't have to have every detail memorized in order to pass the test.  I had to know how to find the answer.  It's google, you are allowed/expected to search for the answer.  But it was still tough.

At least once, I found some piece of information to answer a question and thought "Oh, I didn't know I could do that."  But in the stress of completing the test I couldn't for the life of me remember what that was when I was done.  I just remember having the thought.  But I feel fairly certain that if/when I decide I want to try whatever that thing was I'll know I can go looking for the answer.

I really enjoy using Google Apps for Education (GAFE) in school.  And one of the things I like about it is the availability of helpful hints and tips available.  I don't have to know how to do everything, I just have to have the confidence to go and find the answers.  Google is good for this, as is youtube.  Many people have uploaded screen casts about how to do anything you could possibly want to do.

Because I appreciate GAFE so much I spend quite a bit of time talking to others about its merits and how they can use it.  One of the toughest things I have to get them to believe is that they can play with it without knowing everything about it.  They can also find answers to whatever questions they might have.  Many time people come to me with questions about how to do something.  If I don't know off the top of my head, I will go with them to a computer and look it up, or I will look it up and email them links to videos or help pages on whatever they want help with.  I hope that eventually people will gain the confidence to search for the answer themselves.

Back to the Google Certification...  I passed all 6 exams.  I am now a Google Certified Individual.  It is my intention to complete the certification process to become a Google Apps for Education Certified Trainer.  I believe that this process will be much more reflective and give a much more accurate picture of my ability to work with GAFE and pass on my knowledge to my colleagues and work with it in class.  On many levels I find this process at least as intimidating as the exams as it is much more personal.

I will continue to share my process in becoming certified here in this blog.  It is my goal to be done it this summer.  Wish me luck!

Digital Presence

As part of my quest to become a Google Certified Trainer I have to demonstrate my digital presence.  This is kind of freaking me out.  I don't think I put myself out there very much and when I do I get very nervous.  This morning I forced myself to comment on a blog post by Doug Johnson (the Blue Skunk Blog).  I stressed and worried about it.  I had a thought, then I thought I should share it.  But was it 'worthy'?  Would others readers just say 'well, duh'?  Who am I to add value to the discussion that was going on?  Could I add value?  My comment wasn't as long as most of the others - does that mean it wasn't as 'deep'? Then I changed my mind about a billion times as to whether or not I should use my full name (I eventually did).
Then I got this response:

Hi Lisa,
We've been using the SAMR model in our district as well - and for some of the same reasons. Thanks for reminding readers of it and how we can move between levels.
Yeah, reading these comments is a real treat for me. I quoted you in my last blog post!
Doug

And here is the blog to which he is referring.  I am a little embarrassed at how excited I was to see my name on someone else's blog.  Someone that I've actually never met, but whose work I appreciate and follow.  So cool.
The moral of this story: Take a chance.  Just like I appreciate someone taking the time to comment on something I've written (and I appreciate it a whole lot!!!), others do too.  I tell my students to comment and add to blog discussions, this is another instance in which I have to model what I teach.  It does feel a little like risk taking, but like other risks, the payoff rush can be exhilarating.