Google Educator Groups are special interest groups focused on education and sponsored/hosted by Google. I think Google has done a good job supporting educators. They have a wide range of technology and training available to teachers. The groups are a hybrid of online and real world entities.
Google seems to offer their platforms and convening powers for Google Educator Groups (GEGs) but they don’t run the groups. So groups are welcome to use various Google tools – from Google+ to Google Hangouts to facilitate communication. Supporting educators doesn’t come without benefits. Getting teachers to use Google tools is a great way to get students to use Google tools, which is a great way to push Google into tomorrow’s workplace.
More importantly (I think) Google maintains a map of groups and events across the world. Currently there are no groups or events listed in or near Minnesota. It might be an opportunity for Minnesota educators to get something going. Or if there are similar groups formed outside of Google’s infrastructure, it might make sense to use the GEG infrastructure to at least promote those existing groups. It would be nice to see Minnesota on the GEG map – or make it easier for like-minded educators to find each other and so others could see the strong connection between technology and education in Minnesota
There have been groups of educators in Minnesota working together on instructional technology issues for years. These groups have been facilitated by regional cooperatives in many parts of the state. There is also a strong community of districts using Google Apps for Education. Since the existing structure had been working, there had been no real rush to jump to GEG. Now, however, there is an effort underway to establish GEG’s for the Twin Cities and Central Minnesota – and I would suspect other regions will follow. So, while we are no strangers to this kind of collaboration and support in the State, you should see some pins on the Google map soon! – Marc Johnson, ECMECC (http://www.ecmecc.org)
Marc,
Thanks for the update!! I’ve had a few people ask for follow-up. I know Minnesota teachers are working on technology and have been for years. I was involved with some efforts when I was a traditional librarian. I think Google is probably a good way to spread the word. I suspect that you guys already have a great process in place.
Thanks!! Ann