Google Certification LIVE (Claim your spot soon!)

In 2009 I attend the Google Teacher Academy (Now called the Google Innovator Academy) in Boulder, Colorado.

That one day changed my life.

Becoming a Google Certified educator has had a greater impact on my life, career, and teaching philosophy than any other professional development experience.

One of the ways that I try to give back to my profession is by helping other teachers (like you!) earn your Google Certification.

Once a year I offer a free webinar to review the certification process and give away my best tips and resources to help you get Google Certified.

The next free webinar is coming up! 

Becoming a Google Certified Educator will make you a classroom technology expert. You CAN become Google certified this summer, but you need to get started NOW! Join me on April 26 and I will explain everything you need to know.

Google Certification LIVE with John Sowash

• Date: April 26, 2018 (Thursday)
• Time: 8-9:30 pm EST
• Location: YouTube Live
• Reserve your spot: gEducator.com/live

I strategically schedule this webinar in the spring because the best time to work on your certification is over the summer. This is the only Google certification webinar I am offering this year.

Let me be honest, getting Google Certified isn't easy.

Google has done a tremendous job in designing their certifications to actually force you to understand how to use their products in a classroom setting.

You won't be able to fake your way through the process.

This is an open invitation for you or any teacher you know. My goal is that by the end of the webinar you will understand the certification process and have a slew of resources to help you get started!

Busy on April 26? Anyone who reserves a spot will get access to the recorded webinar which you can watch on-demand.

Head over to http://gEducator.com/live to claim your spot!

Here's the agenda for the evening: 

1. The Three benefits of becoming a certified Google educator. Earning your Google certification is challenging. Make sure you do it for the right reasons and have realistic expectations about the benefits.

2. Which certification is right for you? Google offers 5 different certification for educators. Which one is right for you? 

3. The specific steps required to achieve each certification. We'll review the requirements and steps for each certification. BONUS: attendees of the LIVE event will receive a checklist guide to help you get started. 

4. How becoming a certified educator has changed the lives of REAL teachers! You'll hear from two teachers who recently completed their certifications. They'll share their best tips and recommendations to help you get started. 

I hope you can make it. 

Oh, and if you are already Google Certified, please share the webinar details with a teacher who SHOULD get certified! 

Get Google Certified this Summer!

Becoming Google Certified changed my life.

And I am not exaggerating!

Being Google Certified gave me a unique purpose in the classroom (I was a HS science teacher), introduced me to new people and ideas, gave me the insight to publish my first book, and allows me to financially support my family while helping improve education.

None of these things are guaranteed, but I can trace them all back to the 2009 Google Teacher Academy in Boulder, Colorado.

I want to give you the same life changing moment that I had back in 2009.

In 2013 I created the Google Certification Academy to give other educators the same experience that I had in 2009. Since then I have worked with more than 1,500 teachers.

Now it's YOUR turn!

This summer I would like to help you become a Google Certified Educator!

The GCA is a small event so that I can provide personal support

In May, June, July, and August of 2018 I am offer 15 Google Certification events scattered across the Midwest and east coast.

Each academy is a small (20-30 participants), focused event to help YOU become a Google Certified Educator. You will work with me personally.

Pursuing a Google certification will help you grow professionally. You will learn new ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. These certifications feature rigorous verification of your ability to use Google tools effectively.

I only offer the certification academy in the summer because I know how busy the school year can be. At the end of these 2-days you will be ready to take the level 1 or level 2 certification exam. 

You will also have my support if you decide to go on and become a Google Certified Trainer or Certified Innovator.

Attend a Google Certification Academy this Summer!

The Google Certification Academy will give you everything you need to be successful on the level 1 and level 2 Google Educator exams. You can view a full outline here.

Google Certification Academy Details: 

• 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
• $299/person (CC and PO registration available)
• Lunch included both days
• Continuing education credit available (11 hours)
• Special Google swag provided to all participants

To register or learn more visit gEducator.com.

2018 Certification Academies (as of April 2018)

2018 Google Certification Academies - Click for live map

May 2018

Harvester Christian Academy 

Atlanta, Georgia, May 21-22, 2018 

Putnam County School District

Palatka, Florida, May 30-31, 2018

June 2018

Lake Highland Preparatory School

Orlando, Florida, June 6-7, 2018

Bedford City School District

Cleveland, Ohio, June 14-15, 2018

St Paul's Lutheran School

Janesville, Wisconsin, June 27-28, 2018

Shepherd Public Schools

Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, June 12-13, 2018

Airport Community Schools

Carleton, Michigan, June 25-26, 2018

Christ the Teacher Catholic School

Newark, Delaware, June 18-19, 2018

Heathwood Hall Episcopal School

Columbia, South Carolina, June 21-22, 2018

July 2018

West Platte School District

Weston, Missouri, July 23-24, 2018

Lebanon Christian School

Lebanon, Ohio, July 19-20, 2018

Oakwood CUSD #76

Oakwood, Illinois, July 25-26, 2018

August, 2018

Eaton RESA

Charlotte, Michigan, August 6-7, 2018

West Side Christian School

Grand Rapids, Michigan, August 8-9, 2018

Corporate Certifications - Are They Worth It?

Corporate certifications are pretty popular - Google Educator, Microsoft Innovative Educator, Apple Distinguished Educator, Discovery STAR, etc. I would argue that at the moment, these credentials have more "street cred" and glamour than most accredited degree programs. At conferences around the country I see educators writing "Google Educator" on their name badges; I don't see them writing, M.Ed., Wayne State University.  

It is worth considering the merits of a un-accredited certification offered by a for-profit company. Are these programs more swagger than substance? How an independent educator approach such opportunities? 

I myself am a Certified Google Innovator (Certified Teacher), Google Certified Trainer, and oogle Certified Administrator. I've taken every certification that Google offers and am actively engaged in helping other educators earn their certifications (gEducator.com). I have friends who are Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE), Microsoft Innovative Educators (MIE), and Discovery Education Network Gurus (DEN). 

When considering any corporate certification program, keep three things in mind: 

Spread Ideas not Products

Any certification that is designed to increase adoptions and sales of a products is probably not something that you want to be involved with. That would make you an unpaid sales rep. A good certification program recognizes the timeless principles of teaching and learning and seeks to empower educators to do amazing things by equipping them to understand and master those key ideas (and yes, that may involve using specialized software and hardware).

The training provided through these programs should be more than just "button clicking" training designed to make you an expert user of a product - it should show how a suite of products or devices can open up new learning opportunities and support effective instructional practice. True transformative use of technology is about pedagogy, not the title of the latest device or piece of software.

Connect people not sales teams

Certification programs should seek to connect like-minded individuals in an effort to encourage radical innovation through the exchange and sharing of ideas, experiences, and thoughts. All certification programs should feature a thriving community with rich discussion, sharing of resources, and open innovation.

Beware of any program motivated by a desire to carve off quality content for use in pitch decks and promotional stories or for the development of an unpaid sales team that will promote and pitch products to potential new customers. Seek programs that offer multiple avenues to connect with innovative and creative people - through online communities, resource databases, and in-person meetups.

Provide no-strings attached opportunities

Certification programs should connect people and provide opportunities without expectations. Certified individuals should not be required to use the products of the company offering the certification or prevented from speaking freely and honestly about those products.

For hundreds of years, educators have served the role of watchdogs against corruption and negligence- protecting and warning the public. This was the primary reason that tenure was developed - to prevent the termination of a faculty member who took an unpopular position.

The same should be true of any brand-name certification. Yes, it is fine to encourage excitement about a product, to the point that individuals share that excitement with others. But, if a company wishes to benefit from such excitement, they must also be willing to listen to the constructive feedback of that same group when they have missed the mark.

Are corporate certifications a good thing? In most cases, yes. I believe that Apple, Google, and Microsoft (as the three most dominant tech companies in education right now) are positively impacting education through their certification programs. However, as educators, we do need to recognize our role as independent thinkers and ensure that our commitment to our students and communities comes before our allegiance to a corporate super power.

Have you earned a corporate certification? Did your experience line up with the three principles I outlined above?

Google Certification Academy - Expanding and Growing!

www.gEducator.com

For the past two years I have been developing the Google Certification Academy (GCA), a program designed to help educators become Google Education Trainers (GETs). Becoming a Google Education Trainer has been one of the most beneficial and helpful experiences of my life professional life and I would love to provide others with the same opportunity.

The need for the GCA emerged as I was answering many questions from educators who were confused by the process, steps, timeline, and details of the program. It is a fairly complex program and having someone to guide and advise you throughout is a helpful option.

The GCA grew from a single event in northern Michigan in 2013 to over 20 events around the Midwest in 2014. Over 400 educators have attended the GCA and many of them have taken the necessary steps to become Google Education Trainers.

A few comments from past participants: 

“Beyond my expectations! I am doing the opening day PD for my district staff training and have been assigned the Gmail portion so I am more than feeling I can do this!” 

I appreciated the "advanced" pace of the class. SO MUCH information that I can take into my classroom and back to my district right now. 

I LOVED THIS LEARNING!!!! So many ideas, resources, connections. I loved playing too!

The GCA is expanding and growing in 2015 with additional locations and instructors being added to make this opportunity available for more educators.

The Google Certification Academy provides support to all participants before, during and after their certification:

• 2 Days of intense, advance, and practical instruction. 
• Access to a large (400+), active community of educators seeking certification. 
• Practice questions for all required exams. 
• A large list of study materials, tips, and exam taking tricks! 
• Lifetime access to monthly product updates to help you stay up to date!
• Coming soon: access to our online GCA course for on-demand study help

To find out if there is a Google Certification Academy near you visit www.gEducator.com.

Don't see an option that will work for you? Host the GCA at your school! There is NO COST to host the GCA and host schools receive FREE registrations! Find out more here. 

Becoming a Google Education Trainer has been a very helpful and valuable experience for me. I'm excited to help others have the same experience. 

Google Certification Academy

Blogging has taken a back-seat on my to-do list for some time now, but there is good reason! For the past six months I have been developing a new Professional Development opportunity for schools who have invested in the Google Apps Platform - The Google Certification Academy. Today I'm excited to announce the program and invite you to participate!

www.gEducator.com

The Google Certification Academy is a multi-day professional development opportunity designed to assist educators in become Google Education Certified Trainers.

In 2011 I participated in the pilot group and was one of the first Google Certified Trainers. My participation in this program has opened up tremendous professional opportunities in my life and I would like to help others access these same possibilities.

This year, Google completely revamped their certification process. The changes have increased the rigor of the program and have caused some level of confusion about the process. You can learn about the process of becoming a Google Education Certified Trainer here.

The gCertification Academy is designed to support educators as they pursue certification, providing training, encouragement, inspiration, and a supportive community.

This summer there are six certification academies planned. Including a 1-day academy at the Chromebook Institute in Downers Grove, Illinois.

The gCertification Academy has been developed so that it can be brought to YOUR school. If you are interested in being a host, contact me! If you are interested in attending a GCA, you can view the list of hosts at www.gEducator.com.

Note: the Certification Academy is not affiliated or endorsed directly by Google. The GCA is different than the Google Teacher Academy.

Pictures from GTA

Google Teacher Academy Reflection

Yesterday, I got to be a Googler for the day. I attended the 2009 Google Teacher Academy which was held in Boulder, Colorado this year. Corporate culture at Google is unlike any other company in the world. As soon as I entered their office I new this: an eight foot bouldering wall dominated one corner of the main floor. The other areas were filled with video games, a pool table, and a gigantic bean bag chair. Six flat screen TV's were mounted on the circular walls to keep the Googlers updated on anything and everything. The familiar Google colors: red, blue, green, and yellow were everywhere.

52 educators from the US and Canada gathered in the upper level of the Boulder office in front of a large wall on which dual images were projected. Less than 150 ft. away (Google Policy) was a "micro" kitchen. After being treated to a breakfast of fresh fruit, waffles, and great coffee, we got started. In the morning session we learned about some of the advanced search features Google offers (Squared, Similar Image, Timeline), and then learned more about the Google Apps for Education program.

After a short break we split into three groups for breakout session including Google Docs, Sites, and "others" (calendar, iGoogle). I learned lots of new features on each of these that I will share in a separate post.

One of the best parts of the day was the tour of the Google Office by two employees. The Boulder office is primarily dedicated to Google Sketchup and the 3D warehouse (repository for 3D buildings in Google Earth). During the tour I experience first hand how Google has designed their office buildings to maximize collaboration and innovation. The Googlers are groups into clusters of four desks which face inward for easy discussion. Each employee receives two 16" or one 30" flat screen monitor to maximize productivity, and, again, no one is ever more than 150 ft. away from food! The Googlers are undoubtedly one of the most creative teams ever assembled. One of the best features of the Boulder office is a large deck with picnic tables overlooking the mountains. Can't beat it! One of the Googlers who gave us the tour unashamedly told us that all of the perks that Google offers them (three meals a day, video games, flex time, etc) is all a ploy to get them to work more. According to him, their strategy is working!

After lunch we dove back in with a session on integrating Google Apps, Moodle, and Mahara. Still under development, the integration of these three products is still a bit shaky, but promising none the less.

One of the most exciting presentations of the day was delivered by Googler Ronald Ho who is the project manager for Spreadsheets, Google's version of MS Excel. He showed us how to automatically fill in cells with data, and create a moving chart or word cloud based on data. Each of these deserves a post of their own, so stay tuned!

Another round of breakout sessions brought together the Geo Apps produced by Google: Sketchup, Google Earth, and Maps. Sketchup is an exciting 3D modeling program that has lots of great applications. I am thinking about having my biology students use it to model cells this year. Jerome Burg demonstrated his use of Google Earth in teaching literature through his Lit Trips. This is an absolutely fascinating application of Google Earth. I highly recommend that you check it out. Kern Kelly demonstrated his use of Google Maps and demoed a brand new technology called Augmented Reality (AR). This new technology will quickly become unbelievably useful!


Our final session featured a new search curriculum being designed to help educate students in essential skills of the 21st century. I was encouraged to train my students to become better consumers of information.

Our final activity was a time of reflection in which we discussed in small groups about our biggest "aha moment" of the day. Unquestionably, it was the theme of collaboration and problem solving that permeates Google's products and corporate culture. No longer is obtaining information the characteristic of a intelligent individual; The internet has made obtaining information easy. It's what we do with that information that makes all the difference. Google's products are designed to make the analysis and synthesis of information easy through collaboration.

I certainly enjoyed my day at the GTA. I was with a great group and hosted by a great company. This is certainly not the last you will hear about the things I learned, it's just the beginning!

Google Teacher Academy

It was a long drive to Boulder, Colorado, but my wife, daughter, and I arrived safely. Tomorrow is the 2009 Google Teacher Academy. I'm excited about the opportunity to rub shoulders with a very distinguished and influential group of educators from around the country.

Tomorrow will be a full day starting with breakfast at 8am and ending with a "celebration dinner" at 6:15. I previously posted the published schedule provided by the folks at Google. If you are interested, you can follow the procedings via twitter. We are using the hashtag #gtaco.

Stay tuned for subsequent blog post on the lessons of the day!

Google Teacher Academy Agenda

Late in the day on Friday I received an e-mail from the folks at Google containing the agenda for the 2009 Google teacher academy in Boulder, CO. It looks to be a full and exciting day!

8:00 - 8:30 Reception Breakfast

8:30 - 9:15 Welcome and Overview
9:15 - 9:45 Search
9:45 - 10:15 Google Apps: Education Edition

10:15 - 10:30 Break

10:30 - 12:15 Breakout #1: Google Apps, Docs, Sites, Others

12:15 - 1:15 Lunch

1:15 - 1:30 Inspiring Idea #1: Google Apps, Moodle, & Mahara
1:30 - 1:45 Inspiring Idea #2: Spreadsheet Gadgets
1:45 - 3:30 Breakout #2: Geo Apps, Maps, Earth, SketchUp

3:30 - 3:45 Break

3:45 - 4:15 Search Curriculum
4:15 - 4:30 Becoming a Google Apps Qualified Trainer
4:30 - 5:30 Even More
5:15 - 6:15 Reflection Activity

6:15 - 7:30 Celebration Dinner

Of particular interest to me is the brief discussion on Google Aps, Moodle, and Mahara. I had not heard of Mahara (open source portfolio web service) until receiving this e-mail, but I took a quick look at it and am very intrigued by the possibilities. This 15 minute segment has also been the topic of several twitter discussions amongst the educators selected to the Boulder GTA.

The anticipation and excitement is building. I'm looking forward to experiencing the Google culture first hand and learning from their creativity!

Accepted to the Google Teacher Academy!

Earlier this week I was shocked and excited to learn that I have been selected as one of 50 educators from across the country to take part in this years Google Teacher Academy in Boulder, Colorado. This one day workshop will bring together educators who use Google products in their classrooms and actively take part in training other educators on using the wonderful projects created by Google. I have always been inspired by Google's creativity and innovation and look forward to learning from them! After the academy, I will become a Google Certified Educator!