Digital School Solutions

Blog entry posted February 23rd, 2011 by Samantha Calamari

When I was asked to work on a video highlighting the use of Google Apps for Educators at PS62 Chester Park School in Queens, I thought it would be a great opportunity to combine the educational technology consulting work I do for AUSSIE/DSS with my video production skills. However, I did not realize that I would learn so much from the advanced and integrated uses of Google Apps in an educational environment that is deeply dedicated to embracing technology. 

This dedication was evident from the first meeting with Principal Angela O’Dowd who had a precise vision of what the video should portray and how all the piece should come together. Over the short time that we worked on the project, not only was Principal O’Dowd supplying the content and accompanying media materials, she was using the very applications and tools she and her staff were promoting in the video to deliver them to me. This proficiency shined through in the interviews with the teachers who were not only confident in using these tools but articulated how these tools supported the school’s greater mission.

Although I have introduced and rolled out entire strategies adopting Google Apps, it was not until I saw a teacher walking through a classroom with an iPad, communicating with her Assistant Principal while consulting her lesson plan and commenting on an in class Google doc that I really grasped how revolutionary yet tangible this approach we are promoting is. Using these tools in a vacuum is simple but the inspiration for me really came when witnessing the efficiency of centralizing this communication in one place. Now that’s innovation!