Page 8 - FDLRS Focus Winter 2021

Virtual Learning

Google Suite Sweeps District!

As a Google district, we have had access to many of their products over the past few years. This past year,
however, district teachers, staff, students and parents have learned about the power of this incredible suite of
learning tools.

Google Classrooms:
As they moved to distance teaching, many teachers had to learn how to use Google Classroom in order to
deliver academic assignments to students. They also learned how to use all of the features for classroom
management including having students collaborate on projects and grading student papers/projects right in the
Google platform. It also allowed teachers to communicate with parents and parents had access to monitor their
child’s work.

Our FDLRS/FIN team along with the entire Exceptional Student Education Department also took to Google
Classroom as a means to deliver important information and resources to teachers. Teachers were able to ask
questions or request help and through the Google Classrooms, we were able to provide information to them in a
timely manner. As new updates to technology became available, we were able to get it sent directly to teachers
and staff. Follow-up to professional development and coaching through the Google Classrooms was more
timely and simplified.

Targeted Google Classrooms provided for district teachers and staff include:
• Collaborative Teaching and Inclusion
• Social Skills and Behavior Support
• Elementary Access Points Curriculum
• Middle School Access Points Curriculum
• High School Access Points Curriculum
• ESE Coordinators
• CBVE Teachers
• Fundations, Wilson, or Just Words
• Reading Programs Coaching: Supports & Resources
• Building Capacity for Non-Instructional Staff FY21
• BIA Resource Classroom
• Problem Solving/School Based Teams
• Learning Strategies Teachers who want more information regarding the Google
• PreK ESE Classrooms listed may contact,
• FDLRS Technology siobhan.mcmanus@palmbeachschools.org
• Assistive Technology and AAC
• ESY FY20

Training was also provided to paraprofessionals through a dedicated Google Classroom just for them.
Paraprofessionals are sometimes the unsung heroes in classrooms, and they felt that they were noticed and
acknowledged for the important roles they play in assisting students (and teachers) throughout the academic
school day. There was a daily check-in, new content, and a discussion post or activity daily to engage non-
instructional staff and build their skills in the areas of the Google platform, technology, instructional practice,
and inclusion. 754 staff members participated, earned in-service points towards their annual requirement and a
paraprofessional badge for their email.

Page 8 FDLRS Focus