EKU Future Teachers Develop Online Teaching Skills

Virtual teaching skills are essential in 2020 and EKU’s senior-level elementary education majors are learning how to manage the latest offered by Google Classroom. Fifty-two EKU future teachers from the Richmond and Corbin campuses are earning Google for Education: Level 1 Certification. The training introduces classroom applications of Google tools such as Chrome, Drive, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Gmail, and Chrome. Issues related to Digital Citizenship and copyright are also addressed. Those completing the training are ready to integrate technology into the classroom and earn a digital “badge” to display their skills. Students may choose to continue improving their skills by completing the Google Certified Educator Level 2 program.

These skills are essential for teachers in schools issuing Chromebooks to their students for at-home and in-school learning. Chromebooks are small, basic laptops built for Google's Chrome operating system. They are easier to use and cheaper than traditional laptop computers and have built-in educational software.

Students and their mentor teachers in Kentucky school districts are already seeing the benefits. They are ready to assist their mentor teachers with virtual learning by creating small learning groups via virtual “break out rooms," leading online group discussions, and creating and posting assignments in virtual classrooms.

• Future teacher Tara Deaton, London, KY - "Getting our Google Level One Educator certification is so important because the world around us is gravitating towards more technology usage. As teachers, it is our job to prepare future generations for life outside of our classrooms. By utilizing technology in our classrooms, we are creating a more diverse learning experience while also teaching them how to safely and responsibly use technology."
• Sydney Simpson, Corbin, KY - “Google has a plethora of programs and add-ons that generate ideas for engaging lessons. Technology has helped so much during the pandemic as well. Without these tools, learning would not have been possible.”
• Roy Rhodes. Williamsburg, KY - “Becoming Google classroom certified is important. It is helping me to learn how to use these classroom tools effectively and has helped me to prepare and send lessons to my students during this pandemic.”
• Annie Sharp, London, KY - “The times we live in demand that we are Google Certified Level One Educators. This year has taught us all that a pandemic can happen anytime. It is our responsibility as future teachers to be prepared to teach virtually in an effective way.”
• Lauren Witt, Corbin, KY - “Obtaining certifications, such as this one from Google, are great ways to prepare not only ourselves but our future students for the world after school.”
• Hannah Brumfield, Richmond, KY - “Making this certification a part of my course work has helped me advance into a more qualified and educated teacher candidate. What I learned from the course will help me for years to come in my classrooms!”
• Abi Hester, La Grange, KY - “I’ve learned about the different software Google offers and how they can be used in a classroom. I also learned about new resources such as the Google Science Journal. These tools will be very beneficial during distance learning, as well as in the physical classroom.”
• Ivy Neal, Campbellsville, KY - “Being a Google Certified preservice teacher has helped me to build my technology confidence, which is so helpful in these current times!” 

PHOTO: In 2020, teachers and future teachers teach from both their homes and classrooms. Ivy Neal (left) and Noelia Ayala (right), senior teacher education majors, work with mentor teachers in public schools to develop their virtual teaching skills.

Published on September 28, 2020