Prep for Google Certified Educator Level 2 Exam: Google Sites

The Google Certified Educator Level 2 Exam has gone through some changes recently. In the past, it was 20 questions multiple choice and 11 performance tasks. The current iteration is 35 multiple choice questions based off of scenarios. Questions will ask you to choose between 1-5 correct answers. These questions require you to be familiar with the features and functionality of each Google Workspace for Education App. 

For Sites, you need to be familiar with the following features and functionality.

- Know which file types can and can't be displayed or embedded on your Site

- Know a Site can be used to facilitate collaboration in a department or PLC to reduce paper usage

- Know how Sites can be used to publish student work and projects

- Be familiar with accessibility features for images posted on your Site

- Know how to use Sites to curate resources for student projects  

Click here to go through some Sites Practice Scenarios on Quizizz Lessons. These scenarios are NOT the same as the test, but similar. If you understand the skills demonstrated in the videos and can answer my checking for understanding questions, you will be prepared for the Sites portions of the Level 2 Exam.

If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com.  

Prep for Google Certified Educator Level 1 Exam: Google Sites

 

The Google Certified Educator Level 1 Exam has gone through some changes recently. In the past, it was 20 questions multiple choice and 11 performance tasks. The current iteration is 35 multiple choice questions based off of scenarios. Questions will ask you to choose between 1-5 correct answers. These questions require you to be familiar with the features and functionality of each Google Workspace for Education App. 

For Google Sites, you need to be familiar with the following features and functionality.

- Customize the look and feel of your Site

- Change fonts, look of the menu, look of the navigation, theme

- The various ways in which you can create a new Site

Click here to go through some Google Sites Practice Scenarios on Quizizz Lessons. These scenarios are NOT the same as the test, but similar. If you understand the skills demonstrated in the videos and can answer my checking for understanding questions, you will be prepared for the Google sites portions of the Level 1 Exam.

If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. 

My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

Memes in the Classroom? Check out this example!

Back on February 12, 2021, I wrote a blog post about how have students create memes for concepts learned in class using Google Slides and Google Classroom. Memes can be a great activity for identifying or connecting underlying themes as well as making content to pop culture connections.

In a lesson I recently taught about Manifest Destiny, my students, most of which are English learners, came up with some brilliant memes. I curated their memes on my Cardinal Innovation Center website. As more memes get added to the website, I am able to use them for spiral review and preview in future classes.  Click the bold titles below to see more examples of student generated memes.

Manifest Destiny

In this lesson, students learned how the United States believed it was their destiny to rule land from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans and how they made this dream come true.

Mexican American War

In this lesson, students learned the basic causes of the Mexican American War and the role the War played in achieving Manifest Destiny.

Spanish American War

In this lesson, students learned the purpose of the Spanish American War, its role in American Imperialism, and the spoils the US gained as a result.

Mark Twain Criticizes American Imperialism

In this lesson, students learned about Mark Twain's criticism of American Imperialism.

If you curate memes on a Google Site, students can use the memes as method of review, writing prompt, fodder for academic conversations, peer feedback, metacognition and more. How will you use memes in your grade level and or content area? If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. 

My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

Force Copy Hack for Google Sites

One of my favorite little Google Workspace hacks is the ability to create a force copy of a Google Doc or Google Slides presentation. For a while now, teachers have been asking me if this can be done with Google Sites. The method used to create a force copy link with Docs and Slides cannot be used with Sites, but there is a way around it. It's not quite as quick and easy, but simple enough and it gets the job done.

Start by creating a new folder in Google Drive.

With the folder open, click on the folder name and select share. Change the permissions to Viewer.

Open the new folder, click New and start a new Google Site. Set up the Site as a template for which you want students to use. Because you started it in a folder that has Viewer permissions, Viewer permissions will be applied to your Site template.

When finished setting up your template Site, right click on the file in Drive and click Get link.

Copy this link and paste into an email, Google Classroom or any method of communication with students.

When the student opens the link, it will look like what you see below. 

If they merely click the file, they will not be able to manipulate it. It will be preview only. But, if they right click the file and select Make a copy, they will be able to copy the template Site you created. 

This little hack can go a long way with helping students create portfolios, websites and more. How might you use it with your students? If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Hangouts at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. 

My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.