Transforming Platform Transition into a Smooth and Victorious Process

Transforming Platform Transition into a Smooth and Victorious Process

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Washington Township Public Schools (WTPS) in New Jersey has recently made a successful transition from Microsoft to Google Workspace, demonstrating that proper planning, staff training, and communication are key to a smooth district-wide tech change.

Kathi Kersznowski, an educational technology specialist at WTPS, led a team of four people to facilitate this transition. The idea to switch from one technological ecosystem to another doesn't come lightly, as it requires significant adjustments. However, with careful planning and ample time to learn the new technology, the WTPS district was able to overcome challenges associated with such a shift.

The switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs and from Excel to Sheets required compatibility with many products but operates differently in many ways. To ensure a smooth transition, the WTPS district provided professional development (PD) and training and support early on to help deal with potential pushback.

Google Day, a full day in-service for the whole district, was held on February 16th of the previous year, before the official switchover date. This event was used to find out the core things that every single person needed to know to survive in Google, including Google Drive, the Chrome OS, Google Calendar and Gmail, and the overall app suite.

The WTPS district identified Google Calendar and Gmail as the only services that were still running in Microsoft Outlook during Google Day. The district had a year to make the transition after the new superintendent's appointment. During this time, everyone had to take at least two live sessions during Google Day, with options for both live and recorded sessions.

The change from one technological ecosystem to another can have massive ramifications if everyone is not on the same page. To ensure a smooth transition, Kathi Kersznowski and her team focused on careful planning, staff training, and communication.

For other schools and districts to ensure a smooth transition from Microsoft to Google, these steps are advised:

1. Assessment and Planning: Evaluate current usage of Microsoft tools and identify key functionalities that need to be replicated or improved with Google Workspace.
2. Stakeholder Engagement: Inform and involve teachers, administrators, IT staff, students, and parents early in the process to build buy-in and understand needs.
3. Professional Development: Provide targeted training sessions and resources on Google tools, including hands-on workshops and ongoing support.
4. Pilot Programs: Start by piloting Google Workspace in select schools or departments to identify challenges and refine strategies before full implementation.
5. Data Migration: Carefully plan and execute migration of email, files, and calendars from Microsoft to Google tools with minimal disruption.
6. Change Management and Support: Establish help desks or support teams to assist users transitioning, and communicate frequently with updates, tips, and feedback channels.
7. Phased Rollout: Implement Google Workspace in phases, allowing gradual adjustment and minimizing overwhelm.
8. Monitoring and Evaluation: Track usage, collect feedback, and measure success to make continuous improvements.

Although not specific to WTPS or Kersznowski’s team, these strategies represent widely recognized best practices for districts shifting from Microsoft to Google environments. If you need detailed case studies or specific insights about WTPS under Kersznowski’s leadership, more specialized local or district documentation would be necessary.

Kathi Kersznowski, who was recently recognized with an Innovative Leader Award at a Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summit, stated that change is hard, but the early training and support provided by the WTPS district helped with the transition. The district gave employees a place to play, work, and learn with the new Google technology during Google Day.

Kathi Kersznowski and her team believed that proper planning and plenty of time to learn the technology were crucial for a successful transition. By following these best practices, other schools and districts can replicate the WTPS district's approach to overcome challenges associated with a shift in technology for a whole district.

1. The WTPS district's successful transition from Microsoft to Google Workspace demonstrates that proper planning, staff training, and communication are essential for a smooth district-wide tech change in education-and-self-development.
2. For a teacher, student, or professional learning and adapting to new technology in a school setting, taking part in pilot programs and seeking targeted training sessions on Google tools can help overcome challenges.
3. Involving stakeholders, such as teachers, administrators, and parents, early in the process, helps build buy-in and ensures that the shift from Microsoft to Google Workspace addresses everyone's needs for effective STEM education.
4. To facilitate the shift from Microsoft Office to Google Suite, a district can establish help desks or support teams and continue communicating updates, tips, and feedback channels for continued learning and self-development throughout the transition process.

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