This webinar was created to assist and guide educators in learning to use Google Classroom. Google Classroom is a very powerful learning management system that allows educators to assign work to students, assess their skills, and more all within a digital space.

From this webinar I learned:

1. Google Classroom allows teachers to monitor student growth by various methods of assessment.

2. All work assigned in Classroom is handled and graded digitally.

3. Classroom allows teachers to leave detailed feedback on students' assignments.

I plan on further exploring Google Classroom and how I can apply it to my teaching. I love technology and would love to implement Classroom and all of its features into my own experience.

There are many tools available to educators. Using technology in and out of the classroom helps students take more interest in their learning. It also allows for the educator to convey information in a variety of ways.

From this blog, I learned:

1. There are numerous technology tools available for educators.

2. Technology can assist in student learning

3. There are technology tools available that work both in the classroom and outside the classroom.

In the future, I plan on exploring various tech tools such as Flipgrid, Teachermade.com, and Classroom screen.

Link to "8 Tech Tools for Teachers"

This podcast by Google Teacher Podcasts is about building community in the classroom. There are many things that educators can use to make students feel welcome in the classroom.

I learned from this podcast:

1. You can change the header in Google Classroom. By changing the header, you can display information relevant to each class and showcase student achievement.

2. That creating "touchpoints" in the classroom is essential to students well being, sense of community, and identity

3. Using tools such as Flipgrid allows educators to have personal experiences with students. They also allow you to facilitate students' use of the platform to post videos.

I plan on looking into ways that I can build a classroom community with Google Tools and other technology.

Link to "Build Classroom Community With Google Tools"

During the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers have had to rapidly adjust to new technology that was never before thought of in terms of classroom applications. For in-person learning, teachers are very familiar with students that are eager to raise their hands and participate (even if they are clowning). However, in virtual learning, this concept of in-person collaboration doesn't translate so easily.

From this article, I learned:

1. Teachers can use various discussion methods to improve participation

2. Just like in the classroom, apply the concept of group work and make use of video services like Google Meet, Zoom, Skype, and Microsoft Teams.

3. If teaching live on a virtual platform, make use of tools such as chat, polls, and other assessment tools (like Google Forms) to gauge student understanding on the fly.

I plan on learning more ways and strategies to improve participation in the virtual classroom. Also, some of the methods would work in an in-person forum as well. I hope to apply these concepts in my teaching.

Link to "8 Strategies to Improve Participation in Your Virtual Classroom"

Twitter was founded on March 21, 2006. Its CEO is Jack Dorsey (as of Q2 2021). What sets Twitter apart from other social media platforms is that it has a character limit. Twitter is a great place to share your written thoughts in the format of a tweet. 

1. Twitter is used by educators to connect with others worldwide, allowing for greater opportunities to learn from others in your field but not at your school.

2. Twitter allows users to follow others who may appeal to them and join the conversation.

3. On Twitter, educators can share things that they do in their classrooms with other users.

I will use Twitter to expand my learning network by following accounts that interest me and sharing things that I have learned along the way.

YouTube was founded on February 14, 2005. Its CEO is Susan Wojcicki (as of Q2 2021). Also, since 2006, Google has been YouTube's parent organization. YouTube is an international video-sharing platform that allows users to share videos. Videos can range from cooking to automotive, to technology to education. YouTube has numerous channels that make content just for teachers.

1. Educators can use YouTube to supplement their lessons.

2. Educators also can use the platform to upload their videos and share them with others.

3. Educators can implement YouTube not only as a part of their daily lessons but to assign videos for students to watch, then assess them on what they learned.

I can use YouTube in order to reach out to other educators and watch their videos. Also, I can make my own videos and share them with others who may find them helpful.