Your time...as a gift

When one reflects on gifts given and received...what is your most memorable? You never know when the gift of your time can make a difference.


For those using Google Docs...check out the templates. When you find a public template that you like...use it, tailor for your specific situation. To preview a template, click the Preview link, and a full screen preview of the template appears in a new window.


To use a template, click Use this template and a copy of the template is created and added to your Docs list. You can start editing this document directly in Google Docs and sharing it with others. You need to be signed in to your Google Account in order to use a template.


When you use a template, you create your own copy, so it doesn't matter if the template owner changes or deletes the original template; your copy remains unchanged. You can always upload or create your own template and share it with the world too!


Subscribe to the Google Docs Community on YouTube
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Learn from others in the Google Docs help forum or find a specific Google Docs help article
Share your feedback
Give the template you used a rating

I would like to thank the 946 users of this Tech Sharing certificate I created and shared through Google Docs.

Remember...this gift works both ways...you can give it to someone that you want to learn from and this certificate works as the gift reminder. Everyone has something to share, from keyboard shortcuts to uploading videos. As you share your creativity and time...your gift of sharing time, knowledge, and a skillset is priceless!

Tinkering with ShootMe App and Google Mobile

Google Mobile provides so many opportunities for those with a mobile device and access to the Internet, from learning new techniques, collaboration, self development and discovery, to participating in tech and tell events. The ShootMe app is back without rooting and users can shake or shout at their phone to capture a screen shot from their Android.

Screen capture using ShootMe app.

You can subscribe to the Google Mobile blog and/or connect with Google Mobile via Facebook, Twitter, and/or YouTube.

Visit this link using your phone's browser: m.google.com or visit the Google Mobile site. Select your phone: 

What are you doing with Google mobile?

Apps developed by Service members

The FA53.com link contains information about the apps developed by Major G. Motes and his team, public apps and the apps submitted for the Apps 4 Army competition.

Public Apps
Army Creeds (Android and iPhone)
Soldier's Blue Book (Android and iPhone)
Luther's Small Catechism (Android)
Signal Corps Lieutenant Handbook (Android and iPhone)
Rights Warning Card (Android and iPhone)
Army Bugle Calls (Android) -> Great for JROTC, ROTC, and Scouts

Screen capture using ShootMe app


AIT Platoon Sergeant Handbook (Android and iPhone)
BAH Query (iPhone)
Army Physical Readiness Training (iPhone - A4A)
Fort Gordon Post Locator (iPhone - A4A)
Mobile Learn (iPhone - A4A)
SIGACTs (iPhone - A4A)
BCT Smart Card (Android and iPhone)
Apps submitted for the Apps for the Army competition: http://fa53.com/Apps/A4A.asp
Visit the site to see more info about the apps
Physical Readiness Training Circular App
Mobile Learn App
SIGACTS CPOF App
Fort Gordon Post Locator App


You can find a variety military apps in iTunes and Android market places but can you say you have met or know the developer?



For those with access to milBook this is a crosspost from: https://www.kc.army.mil/book/message/26484#26484


While this is a time for Thanksgiving, I would like to thank all service members for their service. Keep up the great job! Your service is greatly appreciated.

Change, Passive Acceptance, DoD CFL, and RttT in Richmond County

It is important that students bring a certain ragamuffin, barefoot irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it. Jacob Bronowski


In September 2010, I did a blog post on the DoD Computers for Learning Program and Executive Order 12999 and the article about former RCSS Superintendent, Dr. Bedden warning of a tech crisis in RCSS in 2008. As I transitioned back to Augusta, GA and assessed the situation I was returning to from family to community along with the upcoming elections I was curious as to how many people knew about the DoD Computers for Learning Program and why weren't all of our schools registered.


Along with a blog post, I emailed our 10 Richmond County School Board Members, those running for school board positions, some media contacts, and a couple of the PTA/PTSA newsgroups I am still connected with to see if there would be any response. I received one response...from one school board member and here it is:


I referred your email to our Instructional Technology Dept. They got back to me about this. Although we have gotten computers donated from this program, we do incur expenses in upgrading them as well as the time of our technology specialists to do this. Also, the State Dept of Education has changed standards and requirements in order to have all computers on a modern basis. The part of the SPLOST funds which can be used for technology is helping get all schools' computers on a modern basis. This would help with parts, software, and the time of our technology specialists which we are short on. (Personal communication, October 31, 2010)


I thanked this board member for their response and stated as a recipient of $16.6 million of the Race to the Top funds that the GA Department of Education has dedicated to the Richmond County School System, the least that I can expect is that our schools are registered in this program. Because I have been in the schools as a substitute teacher, volunteer, parent, taxpayer, and an involved community member I know the disconnects between what the board believes is going on technology wise in our schools to classrooms that lack technology or educators who have the technology but do not use it for whatever reason...and of course the ban of cell phones and social media.


Additional links:
Richmond County schools to get $16.6 million in Race To Top funds Federal Race to the Top grant money will go to Richmond County over 4 years (Augusta Chronicle, October 4 2010)
Georgia Wins Race to the Top (GA Department of Education, August 24, 2010)
New school code restricts social media options Effort aims to address bullying problems (Augusta Chronicle, July 17, 2010)
Richmond County School Systems eBoard Solutions


I thought there would be more progress while I was away from Augusta, GA for two years...but it appears that passive acceptance is still the accepted norm. 


It is important that students bring a certain ragamuffin, barefoot irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it. Jacob Bronowski


Comments and checks in the Reaction Boxes are always welcome!

Google's Veterans Day Doodles and Government Search

Google's collection of Google Doodles from 1998 to present can be found here. Today's Google Doodle recognizing the U.S. Veterans Day can be found on the Classic Home Google page on 11/11, but after the holiday, the Google Doodles gallery allows users to see 12 years of Google Doodles.


Thank you to all of my fellow Veterans, for your service and your sacrifice. We will never forget those who came before us and continue to blaze a trail for those who will follow in our footsteps.
Google U.S. Government Search image can be seen anytime you use the Google U.S. Government Search.

Users choose to search for content located on either U.S. federal, state and local government websites or the entire Web from the same search box. Users personalize the page by adding content feeds on government or other topics that you're interested in. 

Webmasters: If you manage a website for a U.S. government agency, you can promote content from your site by creating a content feed for the U.S. Government Search homepage or by ensuring that all content from your site is included in the Google search index using Google Sitemaps. 

Check out the FAQ page for responses to the following Frequently Asked Questions

A few more ways to honor our heroes and sheroes this Veterans Day or throughout the year:

• Write a veteran a thank-you note, or send a letter to an entire VA hospital, VFW, or American Legion post.

• Write a letter/Send an email to a Service member currently serving.

• Talk to your children about who veterans are, what they do and what their service means to our country or check out the VA for Kids page.

Thank you Veterans! We will never forget.

What special way do you remember your veterans?

A 11/2008 blog post featured the 2008 Veterans Day Poster Gallery and this year's entry is worth mentioning. The annual Veterans Day Poster Gallery contains images from 1978 to present.

Thank you Veterans, not just today, but every day!