Trine students, professor earn Google Educator certification

Two Trine University teacher education students and a faculty member recently earned Google Educator Level 1 endorsement through a workshop offered by the university’s Franks School of Education.

Annie Phillips, a senior elementary education major from Noblesville, Indiana, and Judson Quinn, a senior math education major from Russiaville, Indiana, completed a two-day Google workshop on the Trine campus along with Ashley Overton, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Franks School of Education.

The workshop, facilitated by Megan Tolin, a 2010 Trine alumna who serves as director of technology, innovation and pedagogy at Indiana University School of Education – IUPUI, allowed those who attended to increase their knowledge and understanding of G Suite services — applications such as Gmail, Hangouts, Drive, Docs and others. It consisted of numerous simulations the attendees completed as individuals and as a group to demonstrate their understanding of G Suite tools.

At the conclusion of the workshop, the students were encouraged to continue using G Suite tools during their teaching practicums. They also were offered the opportunity to obtain Google Educator Level 1 endorsement by taking the Google certification test.

“We want to be a state leader in preparing effective teachers. Embedding Google Educator training opportunities for our students is another exciting step to meet that goal,” said Anthony Kline, Ph.D., dean of the Franks School of Education.

"By earning their Google Educator Level 1 certification, Judson and Annie have proven their commitment to the implementation of technology within their teaching pedagogy,” said Overton. “Their knowledge of Google Apps for Education will be very valuable to future employers. They have the ability to use G Suite for Education in the classroom, design technology-driven lessons, assist colleagues with technology-related questions, and collaborate with other educators around the world. I am extremely proud of Judson and Annie, and am confident their use of Google technologies will positively impact student engagement and increase student learning for many years to come."

In addition to allowing the students to develop their G Suite skills, Overton said the workshop allowed her to improve her teaching methods and use of technology.

“While I am their professor, I am also an educator who strives to be better than I was the day before,” she said. “I wanted to earn this certification along with my students in order for them to know that I, too, am wanting to become a better educator for my students.”