The Google Teacher Academy Helps Teachers Bring Tech Innovations Into the Classroom

16 Jun, 2011 - Taj Alexander

From GOOD article The Google Teacher Academy Helps Teachers Bring Tech Innovations Into the Classroom by Liz Dwyer

“Technology companies are always coming up with new apps or hardware, but it takes way too long for some of the really useful innovations to trickle down to classrooms. Part of the problem is that teachers aren’t always informed about these new tools, and when they are, they may not know how to actually use them with students. The Google Teacher Academy is working to address that problem.”

“Academy participants become official “Google Certified Teachers,” and although there are certainly other tech companies out there working with teachers, what really makes the GTA stand out is that it uses a “train the trainers” model, teaching educators how to share their newly acquired knowledge once they head back home. The program also smartly connects participants through a Google group where they can share ideas and best practices as a professional learning community over the course of the school year.”

“This year Google’s opening up the Academy, which is set to take place on July 28 in Seattle, to international participants.”