Google Certification

As part of our professional development, the technology integration specialists in my district have decided we should all become Google Certified Educators. I love everything Google, and I am really excited about this opportunity. I have been working towards preparing for the test to get my certification and thought I would share some resources that I have come across for anyone else who might be interested. Would you have any interest in becoming a Google Certified Educator? Why or why not? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Level 1 - Capacity Matrix

This resource is my favorite. I found it on ShakeUpLearning.com. It is a table with the different Google apps or concepts and resources to click on for each to familiarize yourself with them. There is a section where you can also mark your comfort level, so you know which apps you should review or spend more time on before taking the test. 

Skills Checklist - Certified Educator Level 1

This link is exactly what it sounds like, a checklist of all the skills you will need to master before taking the certification exam. 

How to Pass the Google Certification Exams

This blogger shares her Google Certification process. 

Google Certified Educator Practice Exams

I haven't actually taken these practice exams yet, so I don't know how helpful they will truly be. They are free, so I plan to try them out in the near future.

Google Training Center

This link is probably the most trusted and reliable resource as it is straight from the source. Google offers trainings to prepare you for the exam. There are thirteen units with multiple lessons including videos and other resources to help you be successful when taking the exam. 

Back to School Meetings

I can't believe the back to school season is beginning already. Next week, I have my first back to school meeting with all of the building technology specialists. We are hoping to come away from the meeting with a concrete plan as to how we are going to encourage and train teachers to use technology in their classrooms. We do not want teachers to use technology just for the sake of using technology. It should be used in ways that will benefit students and improve the learning experience. One thing we really want to focus on is creating meaningful professional development for our teachers. What are some of the best PD opportunities you have had and what made them so great?

Learning Spaces...What Do You Think?

Learning spaces were mentioned multiple times during the P20 Conference I attended this past week. The discussion focused around the idea that we should create learning spaces that are more authentic, comfortable, and allow for creativity. We were shown pictures of students sitting on large yoga balls, bean bags, and laying on the floor while working. One of the sessions focused on the idea of caves, campfires, and watering holes shared by the ISTE after a study tour in Australia. Caves are an area for students to work when they need to have quiet to think and work alone. Campfires are for students to share their work, discuss, and collaborate. The watering hole is where students come for instruction, whether that be to the teacher, a video, or text. To learn more about this idea, check out this short article.

http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1015175.pdf

What do you think? Should we try to change our learning environments and get rid of desks in straight rows? What does your learning environment look like? To what extent do you think learning environments impact student achievement?