Becoming "Google Certified" at the Google Teacher Academy. On July 28 and 29th, I got to spend two unforgettable days at Google in Seattle at the Google Teacher Academy (GTA) with a fantastic group of educators and inspiring leaders in technology. You can read a bit more about how I arrived at Google by reading my previous post about "My Google Adventure". The schedule we followed and the list of resources can be found here if you want more detailed information.
I have to say, my experience at Google was life changing and I have great pride in the fact that I am now a "Google Certified Teacher" (GCT). I can't wait to share with other educators everything I learned by giving in-services, working one-on-one and offering online help. My students will also be benefiting from my new found knowledge and expertise in my classroom through innovative approaches and a renewed perspective on integrating technology into my teaching.
Finally, while I was in Seattle and upon my return, I did numerous media interviews about my experience. Allison's Blog: Utilizing Technology in the Elementary Classroom. Integrating Technology in the Classroom. The Pursuit of Technology Integration Happiness: 10 Tips for Using YouTube in the Classroom. Edu-(Tech)niques « Educational Technology in Practice in The Field! It’s Elementary - Supporting technology in the elementary classroom.
How video in the classroom helps digitally-savvy students learn. Article from the Toronto Star September 8, 2011 13:09:00 by Diana Mehta, The Canadian Press Zara Cruickshank’s Grade 8 science class is a little different from those of yesteryear. Students regularly make mini films or podcasts for class projects, reams of notes are a thing of the past and video is an important part of learning. As the new school year begins, a number of Canadian classrooms are increasingly implementing video as an educational tool to keep their digitally savvy students engaged and interested. “It’s just easy to focus when it’s visual,” says Cruickshank. “You can be creative and have fun doing it because you’re putting your ideas together to make something for school, to make school easier.”
The 13-year-old at Regina’s Ecole Wilfrid Walker is talking specifically about Joanna Sanders Bobiash’s classroom. “Everyone has different learning styles, they learn best in different ways,” she says. “They’re not just being given text to memorize,” she says. The Flipped Classroom. Educational Technology. YouTube in the Classroom - Using YouTube Videos in the ESL Classroom. Now that a growing majority of Internet users have broadband, YouTube and other video clip sites (Google Video, Vimeo, etc.) have become very popular - especially with young adults. These sites also provide English learners and classes with a new tool to improve listening skills. The real advantage to these sites - at least from a language learning point of view - is that they offer authentic examples of everyday English used by everyday people.
Students can spend hours watching videos in English and quickly improve their pronunciation and comprehension skills through mimicry. There are also hours of English learning videos provided by excellent teachers as well. Of course, this is the challenge. Aim: Improve listening skills Activity: Sharing YouTube videos Level: Intermediate to advanced Outline: At the end of one of your classes, decide on a particular topic that your class would enjoy.