Supporting 21st Century Learning Through Google Apps (Feature ARTICLE‪)‬

According the 2009 Horizon Report, which "draws on a comprehensive body of published resources, current research and practice" there are "six emerging technologies or practices that are likely to enter mainstream use in learning-focused organizations within three adoption horizons over the next one to five years." At Adam Scott Collegiate and Vocational Institute (CVI) in Peterborough, Canada, the Learning Commons is the school's central place for introducing new technology to students and teachers. This includes collaborative projects with teachers to develop curriculum that uses new technologies. Over the last few years podcasting as well as other online and video collaborative e-learning tools have all been implemented through the Learning Commons. Currently, as the teacher-librarian at Adam Scott CVI, I am piloting two new projects--Google Apps and Netbooks. Both pilot projects support the two most important trends in educational technology according to the Horizon Report--cloud computing and portability. These projects had an immediate and significant effect on improving learning for students as well as inspiring teachers to integrate technology in the classroom in order to engage students.