Tech Tools for New Hires

My school provides each teacher with a laptop and complete access to Microsoft Office, Adobe programs, and all Apple products (iMovie, Garage band, etc). Most teachers in addition to laptops have school iPads as well. Apps for the iPad can be funded through department budgets or out technology department.

It is no question that a fitness teacher (or any teacher for that matter) at my school needs to have experience with Google Drive. Google is our server and all email and communication goes through Gmail and Google applications. Administration, department heads, and pretty much everyone uses Google Drive for things like sharing meeting agendas, collaborating, meeting presentations, calendars appointments, and survey feedback forms. Knowledge on how to create, format and share docs, forms, and spreadsheets is essential for both collaboration with colleagues and for teaching and engaging with students.

As part of new faculty orientation new hires get support on how to use these programs. In addition, departments and colleagues help new hires throughout the year. However, in my past experience with new hires, having a prior knowledge of these programs is definitely beneficial. As with most technology programs, Google Drive is designed to make work and life easier but if you don't know how to use them the programs can be ineffective and time consuming.