How
do you imagine your school or you would react if you went to “google time”?
Reference:
“ 'Google
time,' applying it to new learning opportunities for students as well as
teachers. At Google , one of the most innovative companies on the planet,
employees are expected (not allowed— expected) to spend 20 percent of their
time doing something that has nothing to do with their real job."
Respond to one other person.
I was really impressed with idea of 20% of an employee’s time was devoted to creativity for new projects. I thought about all the things students could research and learn about – the things they were truly interested in and how wonderful that would be. I also thought it would affect teacher burnout and turnover. If we had real time built in to our time at school to research our interests and relate that to school and students, wouldn’t it be great? Then I read the article I cited – Google got so large, it outgrew the 20% time for all employees. Now, only elite engineers get to participate in the 20% time, and that time must be focused on Google projects. Sad news for us all, Google employees were creating some amazing products.
ReplyDelete(2013). Google Effectively Kills '20 Percent Time,' The Perk That ... Retrieved November 4, 2014, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/16/google-20-percent-time_n_3768586.html.
You mentioned several things that I had not considered. I do believe that google time could lesson teacher turnover and improve students passion for learning.
DeleteI'm not surprised that google ended this concept - I don't see it as being realistic. I would expect people to use their google time in a less-than-productive way.
One other thing that I had seen about Google was their policy allowing pets to be brought into the company and they even had a play room for the animals to play together too. I love that idea and still think that having a dog or cat in a classroom would help with student learning and emotions. Something I totally regret not pushing forward on when I was doing my Master's work and pursuing as a Doctorate project. Ok back on subject now. I couldn't imagine having 20% of a teaching day dedicated to creative. educational work. I would be farther behind that I usually am. But, I do think students would and could benefit from a downtime and not just lunch time to relax and reconnect with the world outside of the walls of their school. Plus with the new (or old if you have done research) thing of teaching kids to code, the program One Hour of Code could be implemented and just think of the apps or programs or just anything you can think of that could be created.
DeleteI would love if we could go back to having our “sacred cows!” When I first started teaching I remember attending a workshop or inservice where the presenter talked about teachers keeping at least one sacred cow, the one thing that they just really loved to teach. Now that we are so micromanaged in our teaching time those special things that we loved to teach and have kids learn more about have gone by the side of the road. I think if we could allow ourselves and our students the time to do research and in-depth learning on a topic that might not be directly related to curriculum would help kids find a love for school again.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be awesome. It would allow for some very creative and deep thinking on everyone's part. Most people would need that time to relax and come back to the "normal" day rejuvenated. More people may find something to relate to others or even a great idea to use.
ReplyDeleteJerrie: I agree it is sad that Google is no longer doing their 20%. Bummer it is an awesome concept.
I agree. I am not sure kids know how to handle down time. They want to be entertained all the time. I think the "google time" would have to be structured with some objectives to complete. Otherwise, I feel students would just play games and not research topics.
DeleteI think students would be more engaged in school and the learning process. I also think they would be more confident going to college or selecting a career if they had time to be innovative and research. I couldn't even imagine what our schools would be like if students were drawn into something educational with that much enthusiasm. I also wonder though, if (as a society) we haven't scheduled our lives so much that we don't know what to do with down time. For instance, when I see students during home room, many are playing on their laptops or i-pads, even when they know they have homework to do. To be the devil's advocate, could our students handle 20% of their time as innovation time? Would the school need to provide some structure for the time allowed or would students do better with time that is completely unstructured?
ReplyDeleteI think in the beginning the students would need a little structure and expectations. The teachers would have to be strict with what is suppose to happen during that time. However, I think once students know what is expected of them, they will rise to the occasion. I also think if THEY get to pick the topic/project, they are more willing to put time and energy into it. It is something they are interested in rather than being told they have to learn about this topic.
DeleteJessica, I really like how you address the idea of students not being able to handle unstructured time. I agree that it is another area that we will have to work towards teaching students. As for giving them opportunity to discover areas of interest for college, I agree there too. I doubt that all students would use this time to find a field that interests them… however, I definitely wish I had exposure to some more fields in Family Consumer Science, as I enjoyed these courses in college and wished I would have started there sooner!
DeleteGood post!
I think that as a society in general, we all have a difficult time handling down time.....we are so used to staying connected via our I-pads or smart phones. I think this unstructured time is something our students would really struggle with. It would be interesting to ask them (at least at the start) to read or play a board game with no technology involved.
DeleteI'd share the concern that some students are not ready to manage their own time. It is a skill that would need to be directly taught in some cases.
DeleteI don't know if there would be a good reaction to changing to 'google time'. Right now the teachers are working on implementing a new reading series, Journeys, along with MTSS. There are some grumbles from teachers but the majority are on board. I think if one more change was added, there would be a lot more grumbling. Then there is that restriction of time. When are we going to do it?
ReplyDeleteExactly,is there enough time in the day to get everything done plus "google time". I think the idea is great. I just don't know how it would work out.
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DeleteStacie AdamsNovember 16, 2014 at 7:48 PM
DeleteA teacher - at the elementary level - could easily use this time to replace the "theme" time during the day. I don't believe the idea is to allow students to have a free-for-all. At Google where this concept started they were talking about highly motivated adults. If a school were going to implement the same idea it would have look different because of the age and make up of the clientele. The adults know how to use their time most effectively in order to get the most from themselves. Just like all other skills, this is something that sudents would have to be taught. However I do believe that what we are beginning to see is that students do not know how to manage their time, they do not know how to stay organized and often they are not accustomed to thinking for themselves. This "Google time" would be an opportunity for them to learn how to take a constructive break that encourages intrinsic motivation and self-restraint.
I say yes, bring on the Google time!
I would definitely take us out of the traditional set up of education and make everyone work outside the box. It would have to be a priority for everyone involved but can definitely see the benefits.
DeleteI can see where "google time" would be good for students so they can learn about their interests. I think more students might enjoy their school day more. I don't believe I would probably like "google time" for myself. When I am at work, I am focused on getting my work completed. I feel it would just put me behind more with paperwork.
ReplyDeleteI agree - as long as it is used productively, there is definitely value to it. Some students may even choose to devote the time to another facet of their schooling (if it is what they enjoy) but it also would allow them to pursue their passions. This would be a great time for extra-currculars, job exploration, etc.
DeleteThis is an interesting topic. I would enjoy "google time". I am focused during the day, but would like a break to focus on something else for a bit. For the children though it would have to be structured so the time is used wisely for the topic they are interested in and not stare off into space.
ReplyDeleteI also wonder how to implement it in the schedule. I could think of some students who would benefit tremendously from Google Time, but I can think of some who would want to use the time to play on electronic devices.
DeleteSeeing as how I work in middle school this 20% time would have to be structured with a goal that the kids work towards. I don't know about middle school students in other schools but mine constantly ask for free time, which I reply they can have on Saturdays and Sundays, they are also worried when the next school break is and for long it is and moan and groan when we work from bell to bell. I think its a good idea but without a focus it will be mass chaos!
ReplyDeleteI think my brain already makes me do this from time to time.... I will get soo excited and caught up on a plan or activity for a kiddo that I get lost in it. I LOVE when this happens and brings me back to why I love working with kiddos with special needs (Esp if my plan/activity makes a difference in their life !) So I reallly like this idea...kind of like a brain break but a productive, interest based one! Lets do it!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely not buying into the concept of "google time." I don't see students using their time wisely - especially in elementary schools. I'd also need to learn more about it. Students are so used to being told what to do and when to do it that they would have to be taught how to google time, there would be many restrictions; I don't see this concept being worth the time it takes to put it into effect.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that it would take a lot of time and effort in order to implement Google Time into an elementary school. I could see it working so much better at the high school level. I'm with you though, I'm not sure how well it would work.
DeleteConsidering the number of fun activities that have been dropped over the past several decades... I can only imagine how my district/building would react. However, especially at the elementary level, I believe "Google time" is exactly what children need to stay motivated and interested and engaged. I see students daily that are trudging into school as if they were entering a torture chamber. I know "kids don't like school" but this kind of drudgery leads to kids with increased behavior problems because they are bored and not engaged in meaningful learning.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that this time should be spent just willy nilly but rather time that is spent allowing students to explore or create in a totally student-centered activity. All-in-all allowing them time to learn what we mean by "problem-solving" and learning to think for yourself.
I really liked the idea of the Google Time. To me, many children are being guided to think a specific way, or two ways (depending on the subject). Especially with the direction education is heading, I think it is vital to help children discover intrinsic motivation for learning. Sparking their curiosity has become the newest challenge for me. It seems that children just do not find their learning interesting; using this google time could have some benefits that lead to more student-engagement. However, I could see many teachers resisting the change to google time. It is already argued that we do not have enough time to teach what we need to; adding 20% Google Time would take even more time away. I could see teachers being opposed. I personally feel that it could be good for many students. At the same time, I am thinking of students with needs similar to those of ASD and how difficult it is for them to structure their own free time. Without a structured schedule and routine, these children often fall apart and it is difficult for them to have down time at all. There would be accommodations made to Google Time just the same as any other educational activity.
ReplyDeleteI agree. A lot of our kids don't know how to think outside the box. To use some creativity on their part would blow their minds and then they would better see to find a solution to a problem. Yes we do not have time in the school day we just need to make time and those teachers need to make sacrifices and find out what these kids can really do when they let their creativity do the work for them.
DeleteJust today the teachers were talking about "break times" and how different school had implemented "drop everything and read" type of programs for 20 minutes. Some of those were at the beginning of the day; some at the end. I would like to see Google time tried in the middle of the day....right after lunch. I think all of my students (on my roster) would struggle with how to handle the unstructured time as well as many of the students. I think there might be a mixed reaction among the teachers and at our school, I don't see the administration supporting that kind of thing at all.
ReplyDeleteI just recently helped some students complete a project on the Holocaust and they were very excited about learning and have stayed very focused as they did research. Something such as Goggle time would encourage them to explore information such as this.
I would assume that our teachers would be thrilled to this kind of Google time concept. Because they always are complaining about these kids not having any creativity and not thinking for themselves. But then on the flip side time would be an issue, they would complain about losing classroom time. And then I see some of the kids taking the Google time overboard or even not using it wisely for its intention. These kids is mines are too busy worrying about video games shows on TV social media and even some worrying about other people's problems when they need to worry about their own. I would be all for for a Google time concept will just need ideas and and get pointed in the right direction on what we expect these kids to do during that time.
ReplyDeleteOn pg 15 when the author mentions the Norfolk Academy and how they had figured out what needed to be taught and then that left time for other creativity and projects, I think that is a wonderful idea. BUT, for that to happen, especially in areas of Math, there would have to be so much collaboration between grade levels that it seems to be an impossible task to coordinate that much. Seriously though, can you imagine getting through all the 6th grade common core ideals by spring break and then having the rest of the school year to create and build and apply concepts learned, plus teach about math in the real world? That would blow people out of the water and cause so much stress, but it would help create 21st century learners! Again the One Hour of Code program in being implemented all over in grade schools and middle schools and having kids participate in that could truly change the world. 20% of the school day dedicated to improving the world would be worth it.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure my school would freak out. I, on the other hand, think that it's a great idea. Kind of like how the Europeans view naps. You brain needs a break from the routine. It's a muscle, and while muscles need to be worked if they are worked without stretching or a break then they become overworked. They fail to work properly. The brain is no different. And, it is proven that, if we devote some of our day to what we enjoy we actually retain more knowledge since we are in a more positive state. I think "GoogleTime" is a great concept.
ReplyDeleteCourtney-
DeleteI agree with your comments that Google Time would be good for our brains and how they function. However, I think that some of my districts might freak out, too! We already struggle with some teachers in trying to take kids out of their classrooms to provide their special education services. I can't imagine what they'd do if we said 20% of the day was just going to act as a brain break and time to be creative!
I love the idea of "Google Time", but I just don't know how practical or realistic it would be at the elementary level. I'm not sure that the kiddos would know how to handle their down time, as they already struggle when work is finished and they don't know what to do with their remaining time. I think that in order for it to work, it would have to have at least some structure with goals and such for students to understand. Maybe once it got going, it could be more student led. Maybe at first it could be more of an enrichment time where students could choose fun, creative based projects to participate in. I don't know...it could either go really well or be a complete failure. The only way to know for sure would be to try it! :)
ReplyDeleteI believe that "Google Time" is a concept related to research on how the brain works that could give students (and staff) and opportunity to generate ideas that really were "out of the box". It might also help students that have become accustomed to giving only rote answers at the lowest levels of Bloom's Taxonomy to have time to practice things at the higher levels. It worries me when I hear teachers supporting the idea of giving up recesses and other developmentally appropriate student brain breaks in the day, to give them more time to try to meet standards.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think Google Time would be AMAZING. It would be nice to have that time to decompress and let your mind slow down a little. However, during the SUPER busy times, I think it’d probably give me more anxiety than anything else because I’d just be worrying the whole time about everything else I need to be getting done, haha!
ReplyDelete