Certified Level One Google Educator!

I am officially a Certified Level One Google Educator!

What an adventure it has been to reach this certification! There was never a moment that I wasn't learning something new or discovering the extent of what I already knew -- and that in itself was rewarding. Even though I am a student at a GAFE school, I felt it very valuable, and I highly recommend, to participate in the training. The training splits topics up into units and sub topics, making it very easy to follow along and learn the material. My favorite part of the training, and even the test itself, was learning how to use tools I already knew of in creative, fun ways. I was very nervous to take the 180 minute/180 question exam, but it didn't take very long for me to realize that I was ready for it. In fact, I had 30 minutes to review at the end!

What to Expect:

• 180 minutes (they provide a timer for you!)
• 180 questions
• Must have a working webcam
• Must be able to open a new incognito window
• Must have updated Chrome browser 
• No scheduled breaks!
• Varying questions
• "Mark for Review" option - allows you to star a question you think you should revisit and review

Recommendations:

• Participate in the training (and take notes!)
• Review the end Unit Reviews
• Practice using Google applications 
• Pace yourself on the questions (don't panic on time!)

I am so proud to have this certification and I am so thankful for my teacher, Mrs. Cyndy Engvall, who supported me and my peers along the way! 

Google Educator Certification

I am loving every second of the Certified Google Educator Level 1 training! As a level II Help Desk student, I covered the majority of the material in the training during semester one, but it is certainly going more in depth with educational application. Some of the training has involved the basic Google features, supplements to textbooks, Google Education Groups, Google Forms/Sheets as quizzes, etc. The training is extremely helpful in slowing immersing the trainee into the material, especially those who may be new to the #gafe scene. So far, some of the topics I think that I should experiment more with are: 

- Google Forms and Google Sheets (using different quiz formats) 

- Features of Gmail (customizing theme and inbox organization) 

- Google Groups/Google Hangouts (basic use) 

Currently, I am on Unit 4, Lesson 3: Using Hangouts for Real-Time Student Communtication. This unit has been particularly interesting because I never associated Google Hangouts with being a useful educational device, but it seems to help students and teachers stay in contact and collaboration.  

I can't wait to learn more! 

Using the Google Drive iPad App

The following Google Slides presentation provides a basic outline of using Google Drive and many of its features. I highly recommend using Google Drive (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides) for organizing all of your work and creating all of your projects!

YouTube Guide

The following Google Slide presentation overviews the basics of YouTube and the incredible editing tools that accompany it. Check out this presentation to learn how to create a channel, personalize your channel, and how to use the editing tools YouTube provides for FREE!



For more tech tips and updates, check out @Amorin_Sarah or #ghshelpdesk on Twitter!

Google Add-ons

The following Google Slide presentation overviews Google Add-ons,which are added features to Google Docs, Google Forms, and Google Sheets. They add functionality, simplicity, and uniqueness to all of your projects! Here are some I found to be the most useful:



For more tech tips and updates, check out @Amorin_Sarah or #ghshelpdesk on Twitter!

Making Groups in Gmail

A short how-to on making groups in Gmail! Creating a group in Gmail allows you to email multiple people at once by including them into one group.

Outside viewing link: https://goo.gl/TnI8wQ

For more updates and tech tips, check out @Amorin_Sarah or #ghshelpdesk on Twitter!

What is Voxer?

Voxer is a free communication app that allows users to send text messages, photos, videos, and voice messages (in a walkie-talkie fashion) to other users. Though it is an "iPhone only" app on the App Store, you are able to download the app and use it on the iPad. Also available for Android, Windows Phone 8, or desktop.

What are the features of Voxer?

Voxer is a conversation app with a user-friendly interface. Voxer is very easy to set up - all you need is a mobile number and an email address! Users are able to create a username and assign a profile picture, making it easy for students and colleagues to find each other on the app. In Voxer, users are able to create group chats with up to five members and send voice messages with the date and time attached.

How is Voxer helpful in the educational setting? 

Voxer would allow students to...

• collaborate on group projects together
• ask questions, provide/receive feedback, and receive help on classwork or homework
• efficiently communicate outside the classroom 
• create study groups with the group chat feature
• catch up on missed work 

More specifically, Voxer would allow foreign language students to...

• Record and keep voice messages, with date and time recorded
• Revisit and track progress of speaking ability
• Collaborate on work in the classwork
• Practice and time oral presentations 
• Practice having conversations with other students
• Provide constructive criticism/suggestions for speaking

Thank you to Catlin Tucker and her awesome article on Voxer that inspired this blog post and also inspired Help Desk students at Grafton High School to download and use the app in the foreign language department!

http://catlintucker.com/2014/12/voxer-have-fun-with-speaking-listening/