Training for Google Apps - By Google

Have you ever been stuck in Gmail, Google Calendar or Google Classroom and no one was around to help you at the time? Great news!!  Now you have your own personal Google trainer at your fingertips anytime, anywhere.

Google now has added a Google Chrome extension called Training for Google Apps.

This extension is an interactive training and walkthrough within your Google Apps.  This will help train you with apps such as Google Classroom, Gmail, Google+, Calendar, Sheets, Slides, Docs, etc..  This in-app experience allows you to learn while you are in the program. You can also learn more at Google Help Center. Once you install the extension it will show up like this:

You can then click this trainer button at anytime when trainings are available and be instantly trained on a specific task right within the application.  Please see a couple examples below.

Here is another example in Gmail:

If I open Google Drive and click on the Training button:

If I open Google Classroom and click on the training button:

This is a great way to get up and running with any Google Apps!  

I am Google Certified

Even though it is 12:43am, I can't sleep because I am so excited and I have to share the news!!

I am an official Google Certified Educator!  Sometimes we deserve a pat on the back from ourselves and that is exactly what happened this afternoon for me.  I kept putting this exam off because I was nervous that I might not know enough to take this exam, even though I felt confident in many areas. I did review the training section in the training center and felt confident.  I signed up and once I logged into the test and noticed the start button, the good ole' test anxiety set in.  However, once I pushed the start button on this exam, I took a deep breath and just treated it like any other day at the office and was confident in myself. Confidence is key! I begin to feel comfortable and relaxed which helped me pass this exam. 

I'm very excited to continue this journey that will lead to my main goal of becoming a Google Innovator.  Being an educator is a personal journey of constantly learning.  Being a Tech Integration Specialist for the past 2 years, I have enjoyed helping others learn new skills and integrate them into classrooms.  I continue to learn better ways to accomplish so many different tasks everyday.  This will only continue to help me grow as an educator to better prepare our teachers/students in the classrooms. 

If you are wondering about the Level 1 exam, my suggestion is to study for your Google Certification.  You need to review the training sessions until you feel comfortable with all areas.  Join us in continuing our education as educators!