Google Level 1 Certification Training
resources to help educators get certified & beyond
For Exam details including registration info, click here.
The best way to prepare for Google for Education Certification is by using the tools authentically, and the Google for Education Training Center site offers the best training. Simply searching YouTube for videos may provide the more visually inclined some comfort and confidence by seeing the tools in action, but the sheer amount of videos can be overwhelming. Below, you'll find video resources I've curated by app, created by Google Certified Trainers Michelle Phillips, Brett Petrillo, Louis Shanafelt and yours truly, as well as Google Innovators Eric Curts, Catlin Tucker, and Alice Keeler.
I highly recommend Michelle Phillip's YouTube playlist titled Google Educator Exam prep. She has created brief, clear, accurate, detailed, and concise video tutorials.
Educator Brett Petrillo has a very detailed playlist titled Google Certified Educator Preparation. At about a half hour each, these videos are extensive, and I recommend these for the tools that are giving you the most trouble.
When you feel prepared, head over to my Timed Task Center to see how you do while racing against the clock.
Google Docs
Checklist of Skills
Access, create, collaborate, and organize files
Provide and review feedback, comments and suggested edits
Send direct comments to specific users
Access the Revision History and revert to earlier versions
Use built-in citation tools
Additional Sources
Google Docs Scavenger Hunt - Clicking this link will prompt you to make your own copy of this fun way of getting to know Google Docs. This was developed by Catlin Tucker, and I've used this with 2nd graders, middle and high-schoolers, and adults.
Google Drive
Google Classroom
Checklist of Skills
Create, customize and navigate a Google Classroom as a teacher
Join a Google Classroom as a student
Ways to add students and customize settings
Post an announcement, attach files from Drive, your computer, links, or a YouTube video
Post and schedule an assignment with attachments, and set due dates, classes, students, topics
Distinguish between attaching files students can view, edit, and "make a copy for each..."
Post a short answer question and a multiple choice question
Reuse a previous post
Invite guardians to receive email summaries
Email, remove, or mute students
Using the About section to add class materials and invite a co-teacher
Additional Sources
Quick-Start Guide - Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started.
Google Calendar
Checklist of Skills
Create a new Google Calendar
Under “Week View” or any “Day View,” add two appointments.
Enter details for the appointments, including a title/location, time, and provide a reminder 3 hours before the appointment
Add an attachment the appointment
Share the calendar with at least two colleagues
Additional Sources
Google Sheets
Checklist of Skills
Create a Sheet entitled “Practice Sheet.”
Create four columns with the headings: Students (last name only), Class Period, Current Grade (A-F scale), and Grade Percentage.
Within the document insert five rows that will act as five different students. Insert fictitious graded data for each of the five students.
At the bottom of the grade percentage column, enter the formula that will provide the average final exam grade.
Display the information in a graph of your choice.
Share the Sheet with two colleagues, giving view only access.
Additional Sources
Google Forms
Checklist of Skills
Create a new Google Form
Create a multiple-choice question
Create a checkbox question
Create a open-ended question
Send a link to the form for someone to take
Add a colleague as a collaborator
Additional Sources
The videos below show ways to create self-grading quizzes.
Gmail
Checklist of Skills
Access a gmail account
Send an email to yourself with "Procedures"as the subject.
Create three labels in your Gmail (Codes/Passwords, Procedures, and Things to Print) and color code them.
Create a filter for emails with the word "procedure" and include label.
Additional Sources
Google Slides
Checklist of Skills
Create a Slide entitled “Practice Slide.”
Choose a theme
Create three slides, using at least two different layouts for your Slide Deck.
Insert images on two of the three slides, along with text that describes the image.
Share the Slide with two colleagues, giving only view access.
Additional Sources
Google Slides Scavenger Hunt - Clicking this link will prompt you to make your own copy of this fun way of getting to know Google Slides. This was developed by Catlin Tucker, and I've used this with 2nd graders, middle and high-schoolers, and adults.
The Daily Prophet - Did you know Google Slides can be used for more than just presenting? Originally developed by George Barcenas, this Slide Deck was created as a template for a newsletter, and I adapted it to serve as a syllabus.
Google Sites
Checklist of Skills
Create a Site using New Google Sites.
Name your site, use large banner for the header, and change the theme.
Insert three pages - Insert text, images and embed URL on each page.
Add media to your site - Doc, Form, or Sheet; and YouTube Video
Publish site
Additional Sources
Ideas on how to use sites in the classroom below
Google Hangouts
Checklist of Skills
Start a video hangout with a colleague
Invite two colleagues via email and Google+
Additional Sources
YouTube
Checklist of Skills
Subscribe to at least two YouTube Channels of your choice.
Create a private playlist in which you add five videos related to using Google in the classroom.
Share your playlist with at least two colleagues via email.
Additional Sources
Google Groups
Checklist of Skills
Create a new group
Invite at least one colleague
groups in classroom.pdfGoogle+
Checklist of Skills
Update your Profile.
Follow a minimum of three people
Create a community that is private and invite at least three colleagues.
Google Search
Checklist of Skills
Watch the videos and make your Google searches more effective
This LifeHack.org article gives you a useful list as well.
Add Ons and Chrome Extensions
Using the Explore Tool in Docs, Slides, & Sheets
Checklist of Skills
Watch the videos and play with the Explore Tool
Questions or comments? Contact me.