This summer as part of the graduate program, I had been asked to complete a pseudo Genius Hour project . At first I thought, this is the summer! I don’t need to improve my craft. I don’t need to spend valuable time learning. I asked myself, “What is the easiest project possible to accomplishing that meets my requirements?” I wanted to do as little as possible to meet the requirements. After some digging into various ideas, I decided on one that seemed too easy. I would become a Google Certified Educator (up to level 2). And was I ever mistaken in my expectations. This project has made me work, struggle, and most importantly, learn. I have actually benefited a lot from the process, and I am only halfway through! I can declare that my skills associated with using Google Apps for Education has skyrocketed. I have no doubt that this will improve my organization, which no doubt is the achilles heel of my classroom. I believe that my learning will also positively impact my students, who have not yet been using these apps to fullest potential (recent discovery on my behalf). So what is the Google Certified Educator program? It is a series of training, up to four levels, which strengthens the skills and knowledge associated with using Google technologies in the classroom. It teaches one how to better handle all of the daily trials of being a teacher including organization, streamlining, and efficiency. It also gives insight to how to help students better use the technology for themselves. The trainings are online, and at your own pace. You are even able to skim trainings that you are very familiar in. If you are confident enough (I believe) you can skip the training entirely and pay the test and go for it. I would discourage this as the training seems essential for the test. I am glad I studied! Interested yet? Anyone can become a Google Certified Educator. I'll be as bold to say that anyone who uses docs, slides, sheets, forms, hangouts, or even Gmail could certainly benefit from {link to each} this training. At the time of writing this post, I am only up to level 1, and have not finished my learning. I am very excited to complete my training this summer and head back to school ready to help others by using these tools. I also found some interesting reviews and comments on the training and the benefit it has in the classroom. Although I have not found statistics on the before and after of becoming certified, there are loads of testimonials online. You need not only take my word for it! According to an article titled “Are educator certifications — such as Google Certified Teacher and Apple Distinguished Educator — meaningful?”, the majority of votes from readers agree that they are meaningful. The article then goes on to explain the value of these certifications. “From a philosophical standpoint, how can we, as educators, frown in any way on encouraging educators to learn? A teacher who has made the effort to go, learn and walk away with additional knowledge shows initiative and desire. That’s why I would always choose an educator who took the initiative to earn a third-party certification over one who has not.” The article titled “5 Reasons You Should Be A Google Certified Educator” by Mike Daughtery, explains that becoming certified increases student learning and can boost students technological literacy. It also explains how using these tools can streamline assessment and feedback. I would certainly agree to these points. To conclude on my thoughts, here is a video by The EdTech Vlog in which Matt Harris explains his thoughts on the Google Certification as well as a few other corporate certifications. Thanks for reading!
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AuthorI am a Health and Physical Education Teacher at Byron High School in Byron, Minnesota. Archives
November 2016
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