G Suites for Education Professional Development Grant Proposal

Bryandra Bell, Lindsey Burnsed, and ShaTavia Crawford

Georgia Southern University

March 25, 2019

Abstract
 The following proposal describes the goals, objectives and information of professional

development for G-Suites. The target population includes the teachers of District A. The goals of

the professional development center on the application of G-Suites in instruction, student use and

collaboration among educators. In order to meet the goals, activities of the professional

development include sessions that train on G-Suite applications such as Google Drive, Google

Calendars, Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Forms, and Google Classroom.

Expected outcomes include effectively incorporating G-Suites in instruction, learning, and

partnerships.

Demonstrated Need

G Suite for Education applications and Google have become important technological

tools in education. According to “Ed Week’s Market Brief’s” data presented in the Appendix,

nearly sixty-eight percent of educators report using G Suite for Education applications or Google

Classroom the most frequently in their classrooms over other technological alternatives (i.e.

Microsoft or Apple products) (EdWeek Market Brief, 2017). Over forty percent of schools also

reported that the the “school provided tool” for technology was a Chromebook, a Google-related

product (EdWeek Market Brief, 2017). Our school district, District A, has now integrated G

Suite for Education in to student portals and created accounts for all students and staff under the

district domain. This has opened the door for using these tools throughout the classroom.

However, many teachers in School A do not know how to effectively use the tools and integrate

them into the classroom. The purpose of the professional development is to help teachers

effectively integrate various G Suite applications which include Google Classroom to benefit and

engage all learners while providing quick feedback and collaboration opportunities between all
stakeholders. Teachers within School A are now asking for more professional development

opportunities on how to integrate this technology in the classroom within the school’s in District

A as discussed in the interview in Appendix B (Cowart, J., personal communication, December

2018).

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: (Instruction and Student Use) During the 2019-2020 school year, professional

development for G Suites will allow teachers to effectively incorporate weekly, at least one of

the applications in their instruction. Progress will be monitored through evidence presented in

teachers lesson plans, assignments, observations and student work samples.

Goal 2: (Collaboration) During the 2019-2020 school year, professional development for G

Suites will allow teachers to effectively incorporate weekly, at least one of the applications to

collaborate with colleagues for planning in order to build a professional learning community.

Progress will be monitored through teacher surveys and interviews.

Plan of Operation

Professional development for G-Suites will be provided as a one day conference during

the summer which will include daily breakout sessions. Each activity reflects effective

professional development because it addresses the learning and instructional needs of teachers

for each application. Teachers will be able to incorporate the skills they learn when they return to

school. The cost of this professional development would be to pay for trainers and stipends for

the attendees (teachers) which would be an estimated total of $9,000. As well, teachers will
continue to be provided with ongoing support (mini trainings and share groups) for G-Suites

throughout the school year. Teachers will be provided with access to a G-Suites District support

team who can assist with any support and technical issues. The District G-Suites support team

will consist of technology specialists who are Google Certified. Below is a timeline/schedule of

the conference.

Agenda
Time Activities Aligned Goals
8:00- 9:00 Welcome & Registrations
9:00-10:00 What is G Suites for Education? Goal 1- Teachers
● Explore the different applications available will learn how to use
through G Suite for Education. the G Suite
● Learn how to collaborate using G Suite applications and how
applications. to apply them in their
classrooms.

Goal 2- Teachers
will learn how to use
the G Suite
applications to
collaborate in
professional learning
communities.
10:15-11:00 Breakout Session #1
Pick one of the following to attend.

Session A: Organizing your Drive: How to Best Use Goal 2- Teachers

Google Drive will learn how to use
● Explore Google Drive the G Suite
● Learn how to set up “team” drives applications to
 ● Create folders and subfolders collaborate in
● Add existing documents from your computer to professional learning
the Drive. communities.

Goal 2- Teachers
Session B: Creating Calendars: The Tools & Features will learn how to use
of the Google Calendar the G Suite
● Create multiple calendars and calendar events. applications to
● Use formatting tools to organize events. collaborate in
● Share events and calendars with others. professional learning
● Explore Web 2.0 tools that can be linked to your communities.
calendar (i.e. youcanbook.me, etc.)
Goal 1- Teachers
Session C: Spreadsheet Madness: Implementing will learn how to use
Google Sheets the G Suite
● Learn how to create Google Sheets applications and how
● Explore basic features available in Google Sheets to apply them in their
● Create a spreadsheet with basic formatting classrooms..
● Share documents with collaborators
11:15-12:00 Breakout Session #2
Pick one of the following to attend.

Session A: Using Google Docs Goal 1- Teachers

● Learn how to create Docs will learn how to use
● Explore basic features available in Docs the G Suite
● Create a document using features available in applications and how
Docs. to apply them in their
● Share documents with collaborators. classrooms.

Session B: Using Google Slides Goal 1- Teachers

● Learn how to create a presentation in Slides. will learn how to use
 ● Explore basic features available in Slides. the G Suite
● Create a presentation in Slides. applications and how
● Share presentations with collaborators. to apply them in their
classrooms.
12:00-1:15 Lunch on your own
1:30-2:15 Breakout Session #3
Pick one of the following to attend.

Session A: Basics of the Google Form Goal 1- Teachers

● Learn how to create a Google Form. will learn how to use
● Explore the basic features available in Forms. the G Suite
● Create a Google Form (as a quiz or as a survey). applications and how
● Share the Google Form with collaborators. to apply them in their
classrooms.

Session B: Creating a Collaborative Environment: Goal 2- Teachers

How to use G Suite to with your Colleagues will learn how to use
● Learn how to best use the share features in the the G Suite
applications. applications to
● Explore the collaboration tools available collaborate in
throughout the applications. professional learning
● Add links to existing Drive documents in new communities.
documents.
● Create collaborative Google Drive folders and
documents.
2:30- 4:00 Breakout Session #4
Pick one of the following to attend.

Session A: Basics of Google Classroom Goal 1- Teachers

● Learn how to effectively use Google Classroom will learn how to use
through: the G Suite
○ Creating classes applications and how
 ○ Adding assignments to apply them in their
○ Grading and giving feedback classrooms.

Session B: Q & A for G Suite Application Help Goal 2- Teachers

● Meet with some of the presenters to your will learn how to use
questions about G Suite answered. the G Suite
applications to
collaborate in
professional learning
communities.

Evaluation Plan

This professional development will be evaluated beginning with giving the teachers a pre

evaluation survey (Appendix D) to gauge their experiences with G Suites as well as a post

evaluation survey (Appendix E) to allow them to express their reaction to the conference and

allow for future improvement. Further evaluation will continue as listed in the chart below.

Goal Evaluation
(based on Kirkpatrick’s 4 Levels of
Evaluation)

Goal 1: (Instruction and Student Use) During This goal will be evaluated through the

the 2019-2020 school year, professional observations of instruction in which the

development for G-Suites will allow teachers teachers apply the information they learned

to effectively incorporate weekly at least one and submit lesson plans and assignments that

of the applications in their instruction. have G-Suite applications incorporated in

Progress will be monitored through evidence them. Evidence that the goal was achieved

presented in their lesson plans, assignments, will be through the successful and meaningful

observations and student work samples. implementation of G-Suites during the

 observations. Observation data will be

collected using the form in Appendix C.

Goal 2: (Collaboration) During the 2019-2020 This goal will be evaluated with interviews

school year, professional development for G- (Appendix F) and a teacher survey (Appendix

Suites will allow teachers to effectively D) taken during the in the school year and at

incorporate weekly at least one of the the end of the school year to determine how

applications to collaborate with colleagues for they are developing in their skills in the

planning in order to build a professional ongoing application of G-Suites. Evidence

learning community. Progress will be that the goal was achieved will be through the

monitored through teacher surveys and positive results of the survey that reveal

interviews. collaboration among colleagues and interview

responses that indicate the building of a

professional learning community.

Budget

Budget (Based on Maryland Public Schools Outline)

Categories Direct Cost

Personnel $3,000
*Includes consultants, coordinators, presenters, and facilitators. Based on
professional development set-up, this will include a total of 10 staff
members.
*All personnel will be local Google Certified teachers. This will also
include travel expenses for gas since all staff will be local.
Stipend $5,250
*Teachers will receive a stipend of $75.00 for attending the professional
development during their summer hours.
Facilities, Equipment, & Materials $250
 *The professional development will occur at the school.
*Teachers will be asked to bring their own laptops and equipment.
*Most materials will be provided through the G Suite Applications.
*Some materials will be made available at the conference.
Communications $250
*Most communications will occur through G Suite Applications and email.
Other Costs (ongoing G-Suite support during the schools year) $3,000
Total Estimated Budget $11,750.00

*Based on a maximum of 70 participants at $50.00 charged per participant for the cost of the
workshop (Kognito, 2019).

References

EdWeek Market Brief. (2017). [Graph of most frequently used technology tools by teachers].

Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft Battle for K-12 Market, and Loyalties of

Educators. Retrieved from https://marketbrief.edweek.org/special-report/amazon-apple-

google-and-microsoft-battle-for-k-12-market-and-loyalties-of-educators/

EdWeek Market Brief. (2017). [Graph of most frequently used technology suites by teachers].

Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft Battle for K-12 Market, and Loyalties of

Educators. Retrieved from https://marketbrief.edweek.org/special-report/amazon-apple-

google-and-microsoft-battle-for-k-12-market-and-loyalties-of-educators/

Kognito. (2019). The Hidden Cost of Free: What Districts Should Know About the Cost

of Teacher Training. Retrieved from https://kognito.com/articles/the-hidden-

Cost-of-teacher-training.

Maryland State Department of Education. (2008). Maryland Teacher Professional

Development Planning Guide. [PDF]. Retrieved from http://mdk12.msde.

 maryland.gov/share/pdf/MarylandTeacherProfessionalDevelopmentPlanning

Guide.pdf.

Winfrey, E.C. (1999). Kirkpatrick's Four Levels of Evaluation. Retrieved March 25, 2019, from

http://www.4cleanair.org/Kirkpatrick.pdf

Appendix A: Data from EdWeek Market Brief

Most Frequently used Technological Tool

Most Frequently used Technological System

Appendix B: Interview with Local School Technology Coordinator, Janet Cowart

Q: For what is the most requested professional development on technology?

A: It would be using G Suite applications. This includes Google Drive, Google Docs, Google

Classroom, and more.

Q: Why are teachers requesting professional development for Google applications?

A: The county has now integrated G Suite and created a county domain. They have also

approved and set-up accounts for all students. Through this, students and teachers will be able

to easily use all of the free tools available to them. It is helpful to use G Suite applications

because many students do not have access to programs such as Microsoft on their home devices.

If we are using Google, students can access these documents on any device that has internet

access.

Question: Why would you encourage the use of Google over other accounts?

A: Google allows for easy collaboration between teachers. Also, we can use the Google Drive to

store items and share with other teachers. This can free up storage space on shared drives for

the school. This is helpful, since we have limited space for all our items on the drive.

Appendix C: Goal 1 Evaluation Observation Form

Teacher Observed: __________________________________________

What G Suite application was being used?

____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______
How was the G Suite application used in the lesson?
____________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
____________
On a scale from one to five, with one being not at all and five being expert-level,
how effectively did the teacher use the G Suite application in their lesson?
Not at all Expert
0 1 2 3 4 5
On a scale from one to five, with one being not at all and five being expert-level,
how well did the teacher understand the G Suite application and its purpose (based on
the lesson)?
Not at all Expert
0 1 2 3 4 5
How can the teacher improve the use of this Google application in their
classroom?
_______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Appendix D: Goal 2 Evaluation Teacher Survey

(Pre Conference and During/End of School Year)

 Teacher Name: ____________________________________________________________

On a scale from one to five, with one being not at all and five being expert-level, how
effectively does your curriculum group collaborate using G Suite for Education?
Not at all Expert
0 1 2 3 4 5

Please list examples of how your group has used G Suite for Education in collaboration.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
________

On a scale from one to five, how do you feel about your use and understanding of G Suite
applications?
Not at all Expert
0 1 2 3 4 5

Please list examples of how you have incorporated G Suite applications in your classroom.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
______
___________________________________________________________________________
__

Appendix E (Post Evaluation of Conference)

Teacher Name: ____________________________________________________________

Overall Conference

On a scale from one to five, with one being not at all and five being expert-level, how much did

you learn at the conference?

Not at all Expert

0 1 2 3 4 5

What do you feel was the BEST part of the conference?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Where would you like to see improvements for the conference?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Breakout Session 1

Which session did you attend? __________________________________________________

On a scale from one to five, how well did this session prepare you to use G Suites for education?

Not at all Completely

0 1 2 3 4 5

Any suggestions for improvement for this session?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
Breakout Session 2

Which session did you attend? __________________________________________________

On a scale from one to five, how well did this session prepare you to use G Suites for education?

Not at all Completely

0 1 2 3 4 5

Any suggestions for improvement for this session?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Breakout Session 3

Which session did you attend? __________________________________________________

On a scale from one to five, how well did this session prepare you to use G Suites for education?

Not at all Completely

0 1 2 3 4 5

Any suggestions for improvement for this session?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Breakout Session 4

Which session did you attend? _________________________________________________

On a scale from one to five, how well did this session prepare you to use G Suites for education?

Not at all Completely

0 1 2 3 4 5
Any suggestions for improvement for this session?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Appendix F: Goal 2 Teacher Interview Questions

1. How has G Suites allowed you to collaborate with colleagues more effectively?

2. Which G Suites applications are used the most to collaborate?

3. How has planning been more efficient when using G Suites?

4. In what ways have you used G Suites to build a professional learning community?

5. How has collaboration improved since using G Suite applications?