Google for Education Certified Trainer I did it! I just got accepted as a Google for Education Certified Trainer! This journey started in April of 2016 when I decided to start the process to become a Level 1 Google Certified Teacher. I began the online tutorials through the Google Training Center thinking it would be really easy to get through those. I was wrong! Going through those training modules taught me so much more than I thought they would. Apparently, I wasn't nearly as good as I thought I was. 😉 Keep in mind... When Google gives you 3 hours to take a test, make sure you give yourself 3 hours of uninterrupted time to get it done. I actually had to take the Level 1 test twice because I tried to take it the first time on my couch with 2 kids and my husband watching TV... I didn't even get through all the content! Well, I learned my lesson and locked my family out of my office for 3 hours to take it a second time. It still took me 2.5 hours to get it done. I learned so much through that process, I jumped into the Level 2 Google Certified Teacher training. This time, I knew better and locked my family out of my office again for the test and passed it the first time. Google Teacher Tribe Inspiration! About this time, I started listening to the Google Teacher Tribe Podcast since I had been a long time follower of Kasey Bell through her Shake Up Learning Blog and Pinterest. I apparently met her at FETC and didn't even remember it because it was so long ago. You know, this was before we had selfies to prove we've met some of our #edurockstars in person! Kasey mentioned having a Google Certified Trainer Course during one of the episodes. I've always loved attending and providing PD, so I figured it was worth the time, money and effort to jump into the course and see what I could do. I joined at the end of the school year so I could work on it during the summer. I found it really helpful to create a Bullet Journal spread to keep me on track during the journey! I started in June 2017 and took the test before school started again. Luckily I passed that test and was ready for the hard part, the application process! This is where I would highly recommend taking Kasey's course! The videos, the Google + group, the support network... all of it was super helpful in the process. I'm not sure I would have been accepted if I didn't go through this process first. If you are interested, enrollment in her course starts again in May 2018. You'll be able to join here. Do What You Love!After going through this process, I had to sit back and reflect. My husband will often ask me what I'm working on late at night. I feel a little guilty when it's something I made myself do, not something I have to do for work. Then, I realize that I have to find a balance between what I have to do and what I love to do. I'm glad I went through this process, because it's really easy to get stuck in a rut and live a "Ground Hog Day" type of existence. I don't want to do the same thing everyday and never have something new to look forward to. I'm #superexcited to start a new adventure as a Google Certified Trainer and I can't wait to see what lies ahead. I hope this will inspire some of you to do the same. At least check out the resources and see if it will motivate you to do more. If you need help, don't hesitate to contact me. I love to connect with like minded educators!  Thanks for reading! ~Pam @specialtechie
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Every year, I look through the session titles and try to narrow it down to the ones I need to go to right now. Over the last few years, since I've started using Twitter, I choose my sessions differently.
Inspiration from "The Four O'Clock Faculty"
Does someone have to create or provide this PD for you? Not necessarily ...
 My interest was peaked with an email from our assistant pastor at church. What is this "One Word" that everyone is talking about? Then I open Twitter, as I do every day, and there it was again... #myoneword to start off the new year right. It's not a New Years Resolution, so what is it?
Keynote Speakers! It's so inspiring to hear these innovative speakers, especially in January when you still have a few good months of school left to go! I come back with so many ideas and new connections, I'm ready to make the rest of the year even better than the first half. Conference Overview
 I hope you'll think about registering. Who doesn't want to go to Orlando in January anyway?!
If you decide to register, I'd love to connect with you so we can meet in person. ~Pam @specialtechie Google Chrome
It's funny when you use something so often, that it seems silly to explain why you do.
I realized this the other day when I was trying to use a computer that was set to use Internet Explorer by default. Some people may still like it (and that's perfectly fine), but it drives me crazy! I like to say, "Go Google, or Go Home!" but that's just my opinion. ? I was trying to explain why they should switch, so I figured I should write up a quick post about it. Reason 1: Chrome Extensions! Reason 2: Chrome Bookmark Toolbar Reason 3: Easy Access to G-Suite on any device Chromebooks
A lot of people aren't sure how to deal with a Chromebook the first time they use it. It is a little different since it's meant to work without storing anything on the device. Cloud based anything can be a little scary. Here are a few tricks I like to recommend to make your Chromebook act more like the PC you are accustomed to already. * My device is a Dell 11, device specifics may vary.
 What is a HyperDoc?Quotes below from The HyperDoc Handbook ©2016 by Lisa Highfill, Kelly Hilton, Sarah Landis "Transformative, interactive Google Docs that replace the standard worksheet method of delivering instruction." This digital lesson design and delivery of instruction provides "the teaching pedagogy" to help make "important decisions about what to teach and how to teach with technology to redefine the overall student experience." Each HyperDoc "begins with a strong lesson design, curates quality instructional content, and packages learning in a way that engages learners." It also "shifts the focus from teacher-led lectures to student-driven, inquiry-based learning allowing students to learn through exploration."
Social Media... A Love Hate Relationship
What are Blogging Buddies?This is information directly from the site linked above. "Blogging Buddies were inspired by Jennifer Hogan's "Compelled Blogger Tribe!" It's designed to be a chance for Ed Tech Coaches (and those tasked with helping teachers integrate technology) to connect, network and learn from other coaches via blogging. Many ed tech coaches value blogging as a form of personal growth and reflection in their practice, but don’t always receive that online feedback in the form of comments from our coaching peers that we’re hoping for. So Blogging Buddies groups will be made up of about 5 ed tech coaches bloggers who come together to commit to posting on their blog at least once a month, read one another’s blogs, comment on one another’s blogs, and share the posts with their own networks. That’s it!" Thanks for reading mine & check out the blogs from my group below. If you'd like to join, click the image at the top of the page to visit the website.     |
AuthorI'm an Instructional Coach at Daniel Island School in Berkeley County South Carolina. Archives
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