Google and Digital Promise Team Up to Make Teachers More Tech-Savvy than Ever

Published on: 09 June 2018 Last Updated on: 24 July 2024
Digital Promise

Collaborating with innovators at Digital Promise, some brilliant minds at Google got together with some more at EdTechTeam to come up with a modern-day training program for teachers with a focus on making superb use of technology in the classroom teaching setting. This comes as much welcome news at a time when the government is launching into a cost-cutting mode for educational sectors in the USA, leaving many public schools rushing to cover their expenses for education in all fronts. The new teacher-training program announced by Google in association with Digital Promise and EdTechTeam will focus on imparting technological education for the teachers, enabling them to use that knowledge in classroom settings and to share that knowledge with educators.

The Dynamic Learning Project at a glance :

The Dynamic Learning Project (DLP) is a pilot of the teacher-training project brought to fruition by Google, Digital Promise, and EdTechTeam. The training program will focus on equipping the teachers with the necessary knowledge and resources to use technology in day-to-day classroom teaching experiences. Through the use of the technological resources at their disposal, the educators will be able to open newer vistas of knowledge for the students, thus bridging the gap between learning and technology successfully in the digital age.

50 middle schools from five states in the USA have been selected for the pilot of DLP. The states in the country that will be the first to receive the results of this unique and beneficial training program are Texas, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, California, and Alabama. If the reports from Google and EdTechTeam are to be believed, the coaches at the teacher-training program will be looking to provide customized learning solutions for teachers so that they can make the best use of technology that is available within the infrastructural framework of the schools. The DLP not only focuses on helping teachers to learn to use the Google resources, but other hardware or software platforms that are available and they are comfortable using.

Integrating learning with the assignment help of the latest technological advancements, the teachers from the 50 middle schools have started to undergo training under the able guidance of experts from EdTechTeam and Google. The disparity between the uses of technology in a traditional classroom setting has been more pronounced in the last few years despite most of the schools equipping themselves with smart learning software and hardware platforms in the country. As Liz Anderson from Google for Education states in her blog post for The Keyword, “This second-level digital divide is fueled by major differences in how effectively that technology is being used for teaching and learning.” DLP aims to overcome precisely that. By enabling the teachers to become tech-savvy within the classroom setting, the program imparts in them the invaluable knowledge of putting technology to good use so they can share that with their fellow teaching community.

What this means for educators and classroom teaching

“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instil a love for learning.”

  • Brad Henry (American politician and lawyer)

Sometimes alluded to as the noblest profession on earth, teaching is the profession that creates all other professions. Whether we are diplomats, astronauts, dancers, chefs, or motivational speakers, all of us started from school someday, and the teachers were there for us to teach us the basics of all that we have learned so far. The significant role of the educators in our lives is thus undeniable, and the new teacher-training program launched by Google acknowledges just that. In the sphere of education, the new technical training program for teachers in the middle schools chosen for the pilot of DLP will be able to bring about a refreshing change in the way teaching was envisioned so far.

The pilot started off with Google sanctioning a $6.5 million grant to Digital Promise for conducting the research and implementing the professional skill development program for the teachers. EdTechTeam aided in creating a viable model for the training program that takes into account the resources within the school framework and the individual needs of the teachers undergoing the training program. The program has been in place since last fall, and the teachers from the schools that have selected from the programs are to be monitored and evaluated on the basis of their acceptance and performance within the existing framework. Based on the reports prepared from the pilot, Google aims to launch this program all over the country, creating a network within the teaching community for sharing knowledge on advanced technologies.

The teacher-training philosophy of the program has three fundamental benefits for the teaching community in a whole and is expected to form the foundation stone for many such innovative projects and programs in the coming years with more innovators and educators coming forward to make learning through technologies a fun and achievable reality. The primary focus of the pilot DLP thus aims at empowering teachers in the following ways.

  • Localization and empowerment within the teaching community is the first goal of this program. Through the course of the training program, teachers will be able to have in-depth knowledge on the learning resources that they have at their disposal to make classroom learning more innovative and will be able to use the resources for the completion of complex tasks as well.
    • Secondly, through the custom-made design of the program, the teachers will be able to infuse their pedagogy within the technological framework and not the other way round. This way, the challenges in the classroom will be overcome more quickly while supported by modern education technology.
  • Lastly, this program opens up a world of possibilities for further research within the educational sphere. Based on the success stories of this program, Google and its partners will be able to focus on the development of a teacher-training program in a much larger scale for the future that includes the entire country in the coming years.

Enabling the teachers to focus on equipping themselves with the resources of the modern age, this program brings the opportunity towards further networking and knowledge-sharing possibilities among the teaching community. DLP is thus a program of the future that aims to bridge the gap between traditional pedagogy and advancements in technology for education.

Read Also :

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Content Rally

A Guaranteed Approach to Raising a Little Genius

There are many forms of success: social happiness, financial success, work success, being loved, and satisfied with life, but one thing is certain – all parents want their kids to achieve success. In order for our children to achieve this bliss in life, they need to be smart. And like many children, there are, there as many ways of being smart, but parents can be the essential factor in raising a little genius. So, if you are seeking ways of ensuring a great life for your child, you need to seek ways of challenging their brain. Raising an Open Mind In order to become smart children need to learn and experience new things. Keeping an open mind about the world allows them to intake new knowledge which increases their intelligence and overall capacities. From an early age, allow your kids to discover the world around them, and take in everything. Raising an open-minded and tolerant child will ultimately result in familiarity with learning, where children are not afraid to experience new and interesting things. Catering to Your Child’s Unique Learning Style Each child also learns its own way, and there are three main learning methods: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Each targets a different sensory system and finding your child’s main preference, as well as refining all three ensures a smart and individualized approach to learning. Creative arts and crafts projects, pictures, and coloring all tend to the needs of a visual learner. Reading out loud, repetition, speaking out information out loud, or learning through song can be a sure-fire way to satisfy the auditory preferences. On the other hand, dancing, learning through movement, or as part of a game can improve their kinesthetic learning. A Fun Approach to Learning Using play as a way to teach kids has enormous potential of developing a healthy attitude towards learning. Young kids use playing games and toys as a way to make sense of the world and is therefore only natural to use it to improve their intellect. Toys play a major impact on skill development and problem-solving games like puzzles and Lego’s target logical thinking, problem-solving skills, but also improves creativity. On the other hand, kids adore their video games, and incorporating math, language, and science by providing free video games to kids, such as Poptropica, can improve their skills, and overall cognitive stage development. The Value of Reading Incorporating reading into your child’s upbringing, not only expands existing mental abilities but also teaches them to make it part of their lives. During the early years, reading to children stimulates their language acquisition, and positively affect their imagination and creativity. Later, when kids learn to read, and reading becomes a habit, and providing them the best children’s books is a must. By reading people are able to use their senses and emotions, in order to understand the material. This, in turn, sparks imagination, inspiring and motivating children to create stories, as a way to resolve problems and accept any challenge that comes their way. Increasing a Brain’s Physical Properties Since a healthy mind requires a healthy body and brain food to grow and expand, kids need exercise and diet that can make them smarter. Eating regularly and incorporating Omega-3 essential fats into their diet, helps increase brain mass, improving synaptic connections. This is seen through heightened concentration and ability to intake information. On the other hand, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle can increase lung capacity and regulate healthy sleep patterns. That also allows brain matter to store data and increase thinking rate. In the end, it is important to remember that all kids have the ability to become smart, but in order to create a little genius, kids need a little nudge. By providing them with a healthy environment in which they can grow, you, the parent, are helping them raise their intellect, and ultimately paving their path to success.

READ MOREDetails
online schools

Online Schools the Only Source for Personalized Education

Online education offers students access to licensed professors and materials from online schools. It is a technique that can be used to personalize the learning experience of a student.  The online schooling enables students to flourish in such ways that traditional brick-and-mortar public school systems may not be able to achieve and it also provides high-quality education. For several students, traditional, brick-and-mortar schools are working well. But maintaining a balance between college and their interests can be challenging for those who are strongly engaged in extracurricular activities. In online education, online courses are more suitable and economical than their counterparts. Above described are some key benefits of online learning which lead many learners, when they want to get a degree or certificate, to opt for online platforms. Some students who have learning deficits can succeed in online learning as it is the only source for personalized education. Personalized learning is an instruction that deals teaching, program and training environments to meet the individual students’ demands. It is a scholastic method designed to tailor learning programs according to each student’s strengths, desires, abilities, and concerns. It delivers the students with flexible schedules that suits them and they can concentrate on their own interests and personal objectives. The flexible schedule also makes it possible for each student to progress at their own pace and also help them to get the precise curriculum and attention they need. Students are not bound by their school walls in terms of access to data, skills, and specialties in an online teaching system that incorporates the latest technology. A teaching environment that is digitally rich, offers students with the form and the credibility they want to learn. At the present modern age, online learning offers students assistance and enthusiasm to be autonomous learners and thinkers. Online high schools are getting popularity day by day because of the flexibility offered to learners. Students can complete their work while avoiding the stressful components of the customary high school experience. Due to all these reasons, It's no surprise why millions of students worldwide opt for online learning programs, as it is the principal revolution in modern education. It has generated an enormous system change and has opened outstanding opportunities for anyone who wishes to learn something. An online learning environment permits the children to attain consideration and participation from parents usually found in homeschooling while providing more learning opportunities. Homeschooling in Dubai is appealing due to the flexibility it offers for most families. You can enjoy a high degree of flexibility with virtual schools deprived of sacrificing the advantages of knowledge and liability in professional learning. Even though Dubai does not have particular legal demands of homeschooling but it is suggested that you must pursue an accredited program. Considering online support, while you are in homeschooling in Dubai, you may still be able to access teacher assistance from around the globe. There are plenty of trustworthy and accredited online tutors that can be contacted to provide additional assistance and to Provide families with an online choice to experience high-quality, personalized schooling. Through these, students can flourish in such ways that encourage to find their own pace, realize their enthusiasm, and learn in a better way. These online schools develop a flexible and excellent learning environment that incorporates technology with an efficient core curriculum, supporting individualized education from a worldwide vision and offers alternatives tailored to the requirements of your child. These online schools also encourage them to get the greatest academic and personal development norms in order to attain their ideas and maximize their potential. Their vision is that all students should be educated in accordance with their capabilities, requirements, and interests. A number of distinct kinds of schools provide learners with online learning choices. They offer a high-quality secondary school program from 9th to 12th grade. Whether you are joining full-time or taking a few classes, with simple access to teacher assistance, you can operate at your own pace. Students learn through collaboration, multimedia-rich online lessons or from their corresponding classes in the set up that suits their distinctive desires and teaching styles. Most of today's online high schools have a specific curriculum that permits students to compensate for some credits lost. In short, Online schools are the only source for personalized education due to a number of reasons; The Flexibility to take classes at any available time, enabling students to continue their tasks Enable each student to realize their real potential. Each student gets an education to prepare him or her for and beyond the next stage. Provide outstanding learning alternatives for learners and teachers to maximize their academic and lifelong achievements, regardless of environmental, financial or demographic situations. Enhanced family, friends and teacher relationships. Opportunity for the success of learners More flexibility to satisfy individual requirements Read Also: 7 Reasons Why Online Education Is Very Popular Children Are Citizens: What Are The Civil Rights Of Children In Public Schools? Tips On Writing A Winning Reflection Paper In College

READ MOREDetails
Teacher Desks

Features To Look For When Investing In Teacher Desks For Your Institution

If you are a teacher, you know how important it is for you to be equipped with the right desk. As teachers, we spend an incredibly long time on our desks. From grading papers, to eating our lunch, we well as using it as a pedestal to keep books and charts, the perfect teacher desk can be an asset to encourage a conducive learning environment. Given how important teacher desks are, it is surprising to note that that not a lot of attention is paid to the selection process. Most educational institutions can be guilty of just taking into consideration the pricing and virtually ignoring every other aspect that should be considered. In this article, we are going to look at important features to consider when buying teacher desks. Why Teacher Desks are Important? You need to think of a teacher’s desk as being the perfect partner for them. If you are equipping your teachers with the best desks, you are contributing towards increasing their productivity, efficiency and overall convenience. Remember all the stuff that our teachers had piled up on their desks. We are talking about tons of binders, projects, books, charts, papers, stationery, and so many other things. One of the most important things that a good desk helps teachers with is organization. If the teacher’s desk is organized and optimized, the entire classroom can also be considered to be organized. The proper organization ensures that the teacher is able to locate and find everything that they want to and there are no unnecessary delays to the process. From single or double pedestal desks to the ones that have locked drawers, to having the ones that come with inbuilt plug points and charging stations (for laptops and tablets), the modern teacher desk comes in different forms, features, and sizes. List of 5 Features to look for when investing in Teacher Desks 1. Durability and Safety of the Teacher Desk- Ideally, you would not want to keep buying teacher desks every other academic year. This is why it is best to invest in one that is sturdy and durable. Given the times we are living in, make sure that the desk is made of materials that are easy to clean and sanitize regularly. If the material is not conducive to frequent wiping and cleaning, it might get damaged. 2. Ethical Protection for Dresses in the Teacher Desk- The teacher’s desk is often placed facing the children. In between the two legs of the table, the open portion in the front where the legs are placed should be covered from the student-facing side. This will ensure protection for female teachers that wear dresses or skirts. This is something simple but should be accounted for when investing in a teacher’s desk. 3. Security and Locking of the Teacher Desk- Teachers are oftentimes required to safely store grade answer scripts, question papers, and other sensitive documents in their desks. Having a proper lock and key ensures that the same does not get into the wrong hands at any point in time. There are different locks that come with the best teacher desks. From numbered ones to old-fashioned locks that are accessed with a key. 4. Charging and Plug Points in the Teacher Desk- Modern educational environments require smart classrooms. This means that there is an emphasis on using technological tools like laptops, tablets, and other devices to stream video and teaching material on projector screens. This is why you need to go for teacher desks that come inbuilt with plug points and charging devices for electronic gadgets. 5. Features and Convenience of the Teacher Desk- In addition to the security and plug points, teacher desks should also have multiple drawers to help store academic stuff and stationery. The material of the desk should also be able to withstand the pressures and loads that it would be routinely subjected to. If the same has the provision of wheels, it could also be moved around depending on the requirements. The Bottom Line You need to pay a lot of thought and attention to teacher desks. While it might look like something that does not deserve a lot of attention, the reality is different. A good teacher desk can help improve the efficiency and productivity of the teacher. If you have any other questions that you would like us to address, please let us know in the comments section below. Read Also: How to Learn Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning Here Are the Benefits Of Continuous Learning 5 Golden Rules of Children Language Learning 4 Factors to Consider When Making a Great eLearning Course

READ MOREDetails