This course prepares an educator to become a Google Certified Level 2 educator.  Participants will learn to use Google for Education technology tools at an advanced level.  The Google Level 2 Course is aimed at educators seeking to learn the advanced features of Gmail, Drive, and Classroom as well as some lesser known tools such as My Maps, Arts & Culture, and Google Scholar. The training challenges teachers to learn new skills and stay up-to-date with the latest technology and education. Google Level 2 Certified Trainers are better able to personalize learning for students, use digital portfolios to share student learning, and prepare their students to be digital citizens. Students that are taught Google tools have an enhanced learning experience by becoming advocates for their own learning experience, are better prepared for the future with increased digital literacy skills, and increase student independence through self-directed learning. Google Certification also connects the educator with a network of trainers, allowing them to collaborate, share ideas, and learn from others.  Google Level 2 Certified teachers also have opportunities to become leaders within their buildings by training other educators.

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Create Digital Portfolios to showcase student knowledge.
• Design lessons that include interactive presentations, lessons, and videos to promote student engagement and motivation.
• Instruct students how to use Google Scholar, Translate, and Advanced Search to find relevant and accurate information efficiently.
• Organize student and guardian information with Google calendar, apps, and extensions to increase communication and create a more inclusive and personalized learning environment.
• Develop mastery of Google for Education advanced tools in order to provide training to others.

This comprehensive, interdisciplinary graduate-level course dives deep into the world of artificial intelligence (AI), with a specific focus on the use of generational conversational AI in educational contexts. Students will explore the historical and theoretical foundations of AI, analyze the ethical challenges presented by AI in education including data privacy, algorithm bias, fairness, and the potential misuse in cheating. Students will then investigate the creative possibilities unlocked by AI integration in the classroom. The course provides a platform to learn, evaluate, and apply generative AI in various aspects of education, such as crafting resourceful lesson plans, innovative assessments, personalized feedback, and differentiated instruction. Hands-on activities and assignments will give students the opportunity to apply AI to the creation of resourceful lesson plans and teaching materials that inspire and engage.

The course progresses to explore how AI can revolutionize assessments and feedback in education, making them more personalized, efficient, and effective. This will involve both a theoretical understanding and practical application of AI in assessments to create a more inclusive and effective learning environment.  The final segment of the course focuses on teaching your own students how to use critical thinking and problem solving to leverage AI tools to adapt to the transformative potential of AI.

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Describe the history, evolution, and key principles of AI
• Formulate a thorough ethical analysis of AI use in education, with an emphasis on data privacy, fairness, and accessibility
• Design and deliver lessons using generative AI to monitor student progress, collect formative and summative data, and analyze outcomes to inform instructional decisions
• Develop, design, and implement innovative learning strategies and assessments using AI to create differentiated instruction strategies and promote personalized learning
• Teach students about the principles and responsible use of generative AI

In this comprehensive and hands-on course, educators explore and master the use of Pear Deck, a transformative digital tool designed to turn ordinary presentations into dynamic, interactive learning experiences.  Ideal for teachers seeking innovative strategies to foster student engagement, this course aims to maximize student potential. Pear Deck helps with differentiation and application of multiple learning modalities: visual, audio, and kinesthetic activities.  Pear Deck provides a versatile and effective platform to gauge comprehension via a variety of interactive tools. Teachers will learn to use question-and-answer sessions, bell ringers, exit tickets, and social emotional check-ins to engage students.  Real-time monitoring enables educators to tailor teaching approaches to each student’s learning pace and style. Moreover, Pear Deck streamlines the feedback process, allowing educators to provide timely and efficient responses to students’ work, leading to enhanced student outcomes.

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Identify evidence-based best practices for interactive lessons that personalize learning, improve access to content, and increase achievement.
• Create a Pear Deck account and design instructional strategies to utilize Pear Deck lessons and support sessions.
• Implement dashboard tools and understand Pear Deck’s functionalities to adapt lessons and encourage student interaction and engagement.
• Design lessons to monitor student progress, guide discussions, and provide opportunities to collaborate with peers to build better connections with students.
• Analyze ways to differentiate instruction and use scaffolding options to raise academic achievement. 
• Evaluate ways to use the audio and immersive reader tools to adapt lessons to different learning styles and student needs. 
• Design and implement a lesson with Pear Deck’s flashcards to increase vocabulary by defining words, giving them meaning, providing synonyms and antonyms, and using new words in sentences.
• Design lessons that utilize interactive Pear Deck technology tools that differentiate for a diverse student population and provide a more inclusive environment.
• Implement feedback tools to monitor progress, collect formative and summative data, and analyze student outcomes to inform instructional decisions.