Message for newbies.

Chill.  It's OK, you'll learn to shift a little in your thinking.  The Student Portal is huge and it may seem daunting at first.  But take time to explore and play around with the apps.  You will slowly find yourself changing the way you think about technology and the possibilities it has for you and your students.   You will fail many times and you will feel like you can't do it all.  Well the reality is that you can't do it all.  Pick a few things and work on them individually until you feel a comfort level then move on.  Find some people to collaborate with early on.  Make friends with the computer geeks at your school, or at these PD sessions.  You'll thank us later.

Strategies for Sanity

1) YOU DON'T HAVE TO KNOW IT ALL!
Learning takes time, especially technology - for yourself and how you are going to help others.

2) Ask for help
Use your Portal group. You won't be the only person that has the question, and my not be the first. Someone will know how, or a least "who" might know how.

3) Put blinders on
Pick one thing at a time to explore. It is too easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff" that is out there in Google Docs.

4) You control the Technology, the Technology does not control you.
Remember, you are the boss!

Comments for new participants

Here are some thoughts from our group:

- commit to try new things at the end of every session. Experimenting leads to new discoveries or new questions

- have more than one staff member trained so you can support each other and share your expertise

- things can seem overwhelming at first, but taking one thing at a time and focus on the little things. Look at what other schools have done so you don't re-invent the wheel

- explore explore explore

- share what you create so that others can benefit

- things are always changing, nothing stands still

Reflecting on the Portal...

Survival...

To survive the first year of Portal you need to be rela and go with the flow. There are always changes and updates, there is always a new app and there is always a new great project to do. However, you have to pick and choose which apps and which projects you are going to explore or you'll never make it. Also, never underestimate your kids... even those little grade 2's who have never used computers! The students pick up on the apps with shocking ease.

Teaching Teachers Tech

I believe one of the most important things to remember as an EdTech Mentor, is to put computers in front of your staff when you explain how to do the different things in the portal. Focus on one of two topics during each session with your staff and let them play with the apps as you are teaching them to solidify their learning. The more comfortable you can make your staff with things like Google Docs, the more willing they will be to try them in their own classrooms.

Helpful hints from the table at the back!

• Don't worry about being an expert, don't be afraid - you will learn LOTS!
• Get a g-mail account.
• Use Google Chrome.
• If you are new to the portal, you may want to set up a Twitter account in advance and become familiar with it. Meetings start with a tweet from each person. Great way to connect with other teachers that can support you with your technology journey. Don't forget to write down your password and account!
• Excellent opportunity to meet and connect with people on the same journey through technology. ENJOY!