Google as a Classroom Tool for Learning
(Grades K-12) / Flex Course
PDI Course Number: 67T03 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC41509
Course Description
Do you feel overwhelmed by all of the Google tools currently available to educators and are wondering what is the best way to implement them into your teaching? This online course introduces K-12 teachers to some of the best practices for effectively integrating a variety of Google products and services into their classrooms for educational purposes. This course allows teachers to practice navigating through the general interface of many different Google products including Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Drawings, Classroom, Sites, Photos, Blogger, Maps, Earth, and YouTube. The searching, organizational, communication, and collaboration components of various Google products will be highlighted in order to help teachers develop a deeper understanding of how Google can enhance learning among and between students. Teachers will learn to utilize the basic tools of many educationally-relevant Google products and, through the use of such products, will become skilled in creating standards-based lessons that will help students learn in an efficient, effective, and engaged manner. Teachers will also be introduced to some of the basics for using Chromebooks in their classrooms. This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from UC San Diego Extension. For detailed information on university credit, click here.
"Excellent course! I learned so much. The notes that were provided online were excellent. Content and resources were relevant and allowed me to learn more about Google than I thought was possible." - McKenzie Costello
This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units or 5 quarter units of graduate-level credit from UC San Diego.
You have up to one year from the date you are enrolled to complete a flex course.
Required Resource Book
This course has a modestly-priced required resource book (available in both new and used versions) that can be purchased through Amazon using the following link. Note that you can begin and participate in your course before the book arrives.
Tech Like a Pirate
by Matt Miller
If you are registering for multiple courses, use the following link to access the book list for all PDI courses with direct purchase links through Amazon. PDI Course Resource Book List
- Introduction to Google
- Internet Safety
- Why Create a Google Account?
- Google as a Search Engine
- A Googol of Search Tools
- Assignment #1: Write an autobiography
- Test #1
- Managing your Gmail
- Using Google Calendar to Stay Organized
- Assignment #2: Article reflection
- Test #2
- All About Apps
- The Educational Possibilities of Google Drive
- Google Drawings
- Assignment #3: Share your expertise
- Test #3
- An Introduction to Google Classroom
- Organizing Images with Google Photo
- Creating a Classroom Website with Google
- Blogger: A Google Blog
- Test #4
- Staying Current with Google News
- Get Lost in Google Maps
- Student Exploration of Google Earth
- Chromebook Basics
- Test #5
- Using Google Groups to Promote Online Discussion
- A New View on YouTube
- Google Lesson Plans and Resources
- Google Going Mobile
- Assignment #4: Create lesson plans using Google tools
- Assignment #5: Reading/Learning Log (Based on required resource book)
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