Google has paired up the expertise of Dan Ariely, professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University (and author of a great book Predictably Irrational) with their very popular app, Google Calendar, to help folks connect their long-term goals to the crazy, busy lives we lead.
The first step, if you haven't already begun to do so, is to begin using Google Calendar App to plan your days. While you can see and reschedule using the desktop/online Google Calendar, currently goals can only be set from the app (Click here for further directions).
Next step, is to set goals. Categorical suggestions by google are exercise, skill buildings, family, and friends, me time and organize my life which when selected then drill down to further suggestions. You pick one of their goals or create your own, and then Google consults your calendar and time of day you want to complete the skill and POOF! the app squeezes in your goal to accomplish during your day, week or month.
I can see huge implications for students and educators if both faithfully schedule their life events in Calendar. Time is always a concern in our busy lives whether it be school, homework, lesson planning, sports, extracurricular activities and the like. If this addition to the Google Calendar App can help us squeeze in "10 minutes 1 time a day to meditate" or "say something nice to a fellow Wildcat twice a week" or in my case below "get out of my office and visit classrooms 3 times a week for an hour during the morning."
The first step, if you haven't already begun to do so, is to begin using Google Calendar App to plan your days. While you can see and reschedule using the desktop/online Google Calendar, currently goals can only be set from the app (Click here for further directions).
Next step, is to set goals. Categorical suggestions by google are exercise, skill buildings, family, and friends, me time and organize my life which when selected then drill down to further suggestions. You pick one of their goals or create your own, and then Google consults your calendar and time of day you want to complete the skill and POOF! the app squeezes in your goal to accomplish during your day, week or month.
I can see huge implications for students and educators if both faithfully schedule their life events in Calendar. Time is always a concern in our busy lives whether it be school, homework, lesson planning, sports, extracurricular activities and the like. If this addition to the Google Calendar App can help us squeeze in "10 minutes 1 time a day to meditate" or "say something nice to a fellow Wildcat twice a week" or in my case below "get out of my office and visit classrooms 3 times a week for an hour during the morning."
A great feature of the Google Goals addition to the G Calendar App is the ability to 'defer' the goal when it pops up on your device. We all know we get busy during the day when unforeseen appointments and commitments come up. If you have to rush off to do something during your goal-set time you can just click 'defer' and Google Calendar will search for another time to complete the goal/task later that day, week, or month.
For students I can see them adding stress relief, study time, working on personal projects, explore careers, visit colleges, etc. into their already busy schedules and instead of feeling overwhelmed, the App will place it during times that are already not taken. Have a game that warm ups start at 5pm? Explore careers on the bus on the way! Always wanted to learn another language? Maybe 20 minutes before you leave for work each day you can squeeze in some Duolingo time!
The possibilities are endless! How do you see the Google Goals portion of the Calendar App working for you
For students I can see them adding stress relief, study time, working on personal projects, explore careers, visit colleges, etc. into their already busy schedules and instead of feeling overwhelmed, the App will place it during times that are already not taken. Have a game that warm ups start at 5pm? Explore careers on the bus on the way! Always wanted to learn another language? Maybe 20 minutes before you leave for work each day you can squeeze in some Duolingo time!
The possibilities are endless! How do you see the Google Goals portion of the Calendar App working for you