A Google-Powered Project

In January 2018, I was fortunate to become a Google for Education Certified Trainer. This credential isn't all that easy to acquire, yet the journey was incredibly inspiring. The looking@2020 project is powered by a collection of Google for Education 'Core Apps' - Slides, My Maps, Sites, and Forms. Behind the scenes, our team of Project Ambassadors is also making use of Docs.

Why is this important?

Connecting as a community of colleagues is the ultimate ambition of the looking@2020 project. Google's outlook on education is the same: foster meaningful collaboration that can flexibly accommodate the needs and work of teachers and students around the world.

The 17-month duration of the looking@2020 project requires a sustainable and easy-to-configure approach to content management. On the project site, you'll recognize that each month's collection of submissions has been embedded into a relatively static website. The dynamic content can change each month without having to re-work the site, just the embedded Google Slides content.

With each slide containing links to resources, projects, YouTube videos, and other online content, the volume of material can be carefully organized in a structure that isn't overwhelming for the reader. It's like flipping through a magazine rather than scrolling through an endless stream of material.

Creating and Managing Content

A Google Form is being used to receive submissions from colleagues around the world. The design of the Form carefully guides you through a series of questions that are relevant to the type of submission you're making. For someone submitting a Google Slide, they will only see questions about the Slide and prompts to upload or share the Slide. For a YouTube submission, it is as simple as providing the link to the YouTube video.

This content does require a little bit of formatting adjustment to fit each month's Google Slides collection, but the mindful and supportive submission process reduces the work required in the editing and content management phase.

Beyond the Project

The most interesting aspect of the content management approach and 'embedding' technique, is that the content can be shared and preserved for future use. The amazing team leading the #TeachSDGs movement is doing great work at collecting resources, assets, and support materials for teachers engaging in SDG-related learning. The monthly Google Slides collections will be available for future use and engagement beyond the project, through sources like the TeachSDGs website.

Content this good must never be lost!

looking@2020 on Social Media

Join the conversation!

Look for us on Twitter by using the hashtag #looking2020. Our team of project ambassadors are also on Twitter and are actively collaborating on solutions to bring the SDGs to life in the daily experience of students.

Let us know that you're engaging with the project by reaching out on Twitter. We are happy to support you as you commit to submit to the project.

Commit to Submit

The looking@2020 project is for everyone! Teachers and students from around the world are invited to submit projects, resources, lessons, or initiatives for inclusion in one of the monthly collections. Each monthly collection features 1 of the 17 SDGs.

How do I submit?

The online submission form is easy to use! You'll be asked some information about who you are and what you'll be uploading. There are two types of media you can submit. Because the project focuses on one specific goal each month, be prepared to highlight ONE goal as being the focal point of your submission. If your work involves Life on Land (SDG15) and Climate Action (SDG13), choose one as the main focus of your submission.

Submit to looking@2020

Submit by Uploading a YouTube Link

If you have an existing video sample, you're welcome to upload a link to a YouTube video about your resource, project, lesson, or initiative. Make sure that your video has a clear link to the SDGs and an obvious way to contact you. With a global audience taking notice, you'll want to make sure they know how to reach you!

Submit by Uploading a Google Slide or PowerPoint Slide

Each submission gets ONE slide in a monthly slide deck. If you upload or share a file, be sure that you only fill one slide. Think of it as an advertisement for your incredible work. Contact information, weblinks, hashtags, or a Twitter handle will very helpful in guiding your audience to further engage with your quality work.

Introducing the looking@2020 Blog

This is a global project. It is for everyone.

In fact, teaching in the 21st century ought to be thought of as a global project. Perhaps that is why Goal 4 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals is QUALITY EDUCATION.

The #TeachSDGs movement is amplified by a far-reaching network of teachers who serve as TeachSDGs Ambassadors. This team of colleagues has inspired the development of numerous global projects.

As part of the #TeachSDGs movement, the looking@2020 project seeks to capture and celebrate incredible teaching and learning solutions to a more sustainable way of life for people across the globe.

The project spans the 17-month period leading up to January 1, 2020. On that date, our world will mark 10 years until the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals reach their end. Each month this site will feature projects, lessons, events, and initiatives that support one of the 17 SDGs.

The blog is here for you!

The monthly published collections of resources, lessons, projects, and initiatives are available to everyone. The blog, as part of the project, is a place for discussion and exchange about the collections. With contributors from around the world, you're invited to engage with the blog and pose questions about practice, inclusion, or ideas to modify resources to fit new contexts.