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Give Your Class a Google Apps Makeover

What is Google Apps?

Google Apps is a phrase used to refer to Google's vast collection of online software tools. These tools include everything from their G Suite administrative tools like Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Hangouts to audio-visual tools such as Google Talk, Videos, Cloud Connect, and so much more. Google Apps, in other words, represents an unlimited array of opportunities to enrich any classroom on Earth!

Why Google Apps Matters for Today's Classrooms

What does Google Apps have to do with K-12 classrooms? A lot! As one of the largest tech companies in existence, most of us engage with one of its services almost every day of our lives. The most common, of course, is Google Search, which has become so prevalent that we’ve turned “Google” into a verb (“Just Google it.”). Another common tool is Google Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser, which is used for more than half of all web traffic. As you can see, the odds are that most of your students are using Google in one form or another. Many students are likely already using various Google Apps in their personal lives, including schoolwork.

Today’s students were born into the modern era of global connectedness. They have never known a world without the Internet, without mobile computers, or instant access at their fingertips to virtually any information on Earth. Technology has shrunk the world for them to the point that life without it seems...boring.

As tech-savvy learners, it is easy for K-12 students to quickly grasp how to use Google Apps for collaboration, communication, and so much more. Let us give these students the resources and technology they crave by presenting lessons and instruction through these invaluable Google Apps. Your students will thank you with their full attention!

 

Benefits of the Course Offered by Professional Development Courses: Creating a Google Apps Classroom

Technology came upon us all so quickly that it created a rift between generations. Our younger generations are getting ahead of their teachers when it comes to technology, and that is creating unnecessary challenges. This is why Google created G Suite for Education to "empower educators and students as they learn and innovate together." G Suite for Education facilitates classroom learning, helps to make those admin tasks flow much smoother, and it enables teachers to connect with students in innovative ways. It is just one of many Google Apps ideas to consider adding to your toolkit, so you can build bridges and cross over those generational barriers to fully meet the needs of your students.

With so much potential just waiting to be explored, the only excuse some teachers still cling to is that they don't know where to begin. The easy-to-follow course Creating a Google Apps Classroom from Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne was created just for you! Using step-by-step directions in all of the projects, we designed our curriculum with busy K-12 teachers in mind. Course content is straightforward and does not require any special computer skills. Content is self-paced and easily accessible online, and support is always standing by if assistance is needed.

Successful completion of this course will not only greatly benefit your students, but it can have a positive and lasting impact on your career. All of the courses offered at Professional Development Courses help working professionals leverage their new skills towards salary advancement, license renewal, or recertification. Each district and state has its own policies regarding course approval. Before enrolling in a course, check with your school district or department of education. Creating a Google Apps Classroom can also be applied towards Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne's 15-credit Integrating Technology into the Classroom Certificate.

With so many reasons to sign up, it’s time to take a look at what you’ll be learning!

Objectives for Creating a Google Apps Classroom

In the Creating a Google Apps Classroom course, you will learn step-by-step how to incorporate a wide range of Google Apps tools into your classroom environment, no matter what grade you teach. A few of the things you will learn include:

● How to quickly create, share, and collaborate on a document, spreadsheet, or presentation—without having to email it.

● How to share your Google Calendar, which you can use on virtually any device, anywhere in the world.

● How to rapidly build a professional website on Google Sites or Blogger.

● How to set up a Google Group for discussions, meetings, planning, and Q&A’s.

● How to share and backup data using Google Drive.

● How to use Gmail, including organizing messages and setting up Gmail Options.

● How to effectively use Google Slides, including adding your presentation to your Google Site.

● How to use Google Advanced Search, including finding and saving an image in Google Images.

● How to stay in touch through Google Hangouts.

● How to use Google Translate for practical purposes.

● How to customize the Google Left Navigation, add a signature, undo send, add a World Clock, and add interesting calendars.

● Ideas for installing a wide range of available Google Extensions.

How to Register

The Creating a Google Apps Classroom course offers so many tangible benefits that you’re probably getting eager to learn about registration. The good news is that all of the courses offered by Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne are open for anyone to register at any time during a semester. Additionally, students will earn graduate, non-degree semester credit, which will be reflected on the official transcript from the university.

Registration is simple and can be done online or over the phone. Courses are offered ongoing during three semesters, and you can start at any time. Students may choose to enroll in up to 15 semester credits at any time.

 

Fall: September 1 - January 31

Spring: February 1 - May 31

Summer: June 1 - August 31