Think back to March 2020 when life changed overnight. You went to bed on a Thursday evening like normal, but woke up on Friday the 13th to find out that school had been cancelled or moved to remote learning. As the days continued, anxious feelings about the health of others, and the daily struggle of engaging and empowering students remotely became the new normal. To overcome these struggles, you unleashed your superhero powers by learning more about resources, methods, and strategies to ensure continued learning for your students.

You watched everything from YouTube videos on how to schedule a post in Google Classroom to Instagram Reels on how to manipulate objects in Google Slides. You pushed through long and tiring nights of learning new methods, so that your students can succeed through these hard times.

What are the Benefits of Becoming a Google Certified Educator?

Google offers a variety of certifications. The Google Certified Educator certification has two levels. The first level focuses on fundamental skills while the second level focuses on advanced skills of the Google workspace applications.

Why might a teacher want to explore this learning option and certification?  According to former middle school teacher turned award-winning digital learning coach, international speaker, author, blogger, and podcaster Kasey Bell, there are ten reasons why a teacher may want to become Google Certified.

Throughout the year, you learned more skills than you ever thought would be possible. By refining your skills and knowledge of Google Workspace applications, you found new ways to use familiar tools. Your desire to see your students thrive drives you to learn and also rewards you with a new skill set. Now that you are familiar with all that Google offers, why not become a Google Certified Educator?

10 Reasons to Become a Google Certified Educator

1. Gain Confidence with Digital Learning Strategies and Google Tools
2. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
3. Create a Paperless Classroom
4. Collect Data and Increase Feedback Loops
5. Learn How to Find Answers and Support
6. Increase Digital Citizenship and Digital Literacy Skills in the Classroom
7. Increase Efficiency and Save Time
8. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
9. Prove Your Skills
10. Get the Badge and Join the Google Certified Family

Upon the successful completion of the exam, Google will award each examiner with a certificate of completion, and a badge that can be shared in email signatures or on web pages to show off the accomplishment!  Not only are participants learning how to leverage Google Workspace applications more efficiently, they are walking away with a toolbelt filled with skills, resources, and a personalized learning network (PLN) of like-minded learners!

Centered in Content

The phrase “technology is a tool” is commonly heard, and justifiably so because the content should always be at the forefront of learning. Technology can serve as a tool for substitution, augmentation, modification, or even redefinition (as indicated in the SAMR model, developed in 2010 by education researcher Ruben Puentedura).  Looking at the content through a new lens can help you utilize the SAMR model to enhance communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creative innovation, and overall student confidence in their own skills and learning. In addition to enhancing content, digital citizenship can easily be infused into how the application is used, so that it is addressed with relevance and immediate application.

How do I Become a Google Certified Educator?

Becoming a Google Certified Educator does not require any formal education prior to taking the exam, but it may feel extremely overwhelming and intimidating if you do not know what to expect, which applications might be covered, or how to apply specific applications to different scenarios. The Educational Technology Consultants at Kent ISD are offering a summer course to help you prepare for the exam. Through this course you will learn about the different Google Workspace applications, engage with a community of learners, and be fully prepared to take the Google Certified Educator Level 1 exam if you wish.

Join our Ed Tech team this summer to improve your efficiency as a teacher. You will gain confidence in using Google workspace applications and be introduced to new resources that will support learning in your classroom. Upon completion of this course you can receive up to 27 SCECHs. You will also be prepared to take the Google exam (for a small fee of $10 paid to Google) and earn your Google Certified Educator Level 1 badge!

Click here to register for this FREE course, seating is limited and filling fast so sign up today! 

#Technology #RemoteLearning #WeLeadLearning #KentISDpd

This blog post was written by Sarah Wood, Educational Technology Consultant at Kent ISD, and edited by Amanda Walma, Professional Learning Coordinator and Sara Sefcik PD Hub Intern at Kent ISD.