Describe your inquiry 

In my inquiry I began my quest of becoming a Certified Google Educator. This process will take longer than this class. I field many questions from teachers and staff in my school regarding how to use technology in their classrooms. The Media Specialist in my school is very knowledgable but I would like to be able to help when she's not available. 

 

What course essential question are you investigating? Please include the question you are focusing on and describe the connection. 

 S5 How do librarians (who are effective teachers) enable members of the learning community to become effective users and creators of ideas and information? 

Librarians (who are effective teachers) are a source for information for the learning community in a school. Understanding how the many aspects of Google tools will enable me to support staff and students in their work. The tools can help streamline their classrooms, organize their communications, and help create content for projects. 

 What two course outcomes are you demonstrating proficiency with? For each please explain how you see you work as demonstrating master of the outcome.

 Demonstrate fluency with new educational tools and articulate the affordances and constraints of such tools to support educational practice in any learning environment.

 Passing the tests throughout the Google training demonstrates fluency. Using the tools in my teaching helps understand the issues that may arise and how to solve those issues. 

 Develop both physical and virtual learner-centered environments that are engaging and equitable, encourage positive social interaction and the curation and creation of knowledge 

Creating workshops for teachers to introduce them to a new tool could be done in various ways. Hosting PD during the day or creating videos to share are ways to make sure everyone has a chance to learn. There are tools to use in Google that would help with interaction. We could create a Google Group, make a Google Chat, use Google Meet, set up a Google Classroom, or a blog.

 Scholarly Articles:

Training And Mentoring Google Apps For Education (GAFE) To Support Teacher Performance In Online Learning

This article followed a school in Indonesia when online schooling was implemented. The students found the tools on GAFE easy to use but the teachers did not. After training and support of the tools through groups and trainings, the teachers had success. From 41% of teachers using the tools to 94% of teachers. This article helped me understand that proper training and support is needed when implementing new tools.

• Lutfiana, R. F., & Dintarini, M. (2022). Training and mentoring google apps for education (GAFE) to support teacher performance in online learning. Kaibon Abhinaya, 4(2), 143-147. https://doi.org/10.30656/ka.v4i2.4103

Teaching Teachers to Use Technology

Although this article was written in 1991 and our use of technology has greatly changed since then, I still found it useful. Making sure you have small groups to teach, have training that will be relevant, and to not go to deep as to overwhelm. 

Anderson, M. (1991). Teaching teachers to use technology. Book Report, 10(2), 37.

How can a teacher become Google for Education certified?

This article helped me understand the process of becoming certified. It highlighted the steps needed to take and the prices for certification.

Translated by Content Engine, L. L. C. (2021, Nov 07). How can a teacher become Google for Education certified? CE Noticias Financieras https://library.umaine.edu/auth/EZproxy/test/authej.asp?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fwire-feeds%2Fhow-can-teacher-become-google-education-certified%2Fdocview%2F2595004177%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D14583

 How did your inquiry question support your professional growth? How do you know that your work advanced your learning? 

My inquiry question supported my professional growth by helping me to focus on what is important for my learning community. Learning Google tools at a deeper understanding helps me share aspects of the tools with others and how I can use them in my teaching and keeping on task. I have been able to use tools in my lessons with classes. For example helping class use slides for a research project.

.Provide evidence of your work, this can be photos, screenshots, videos, certificates, links, badges earned etc. 

                                                      

Resources:

Google for Educators - Take trainings for using Google apps for classroom

Google for IT Admins  Trainings for IT Admins

Helping k-12 Educators make a greater impact in the classroom  Research areas where Google can help in your classroom

Workshopper How to run an effective workshop

My next steps are to continue with my Google training and use what I learn to share with teachers. After I feel confident with my knowledge I will register for Level 1 Certification.

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