Beavers said it was an honor to be selected, and he has already begun work on an application that could help spread the information he’s learned at the conference.
“It was definitely worthwhile,” Beavers said. “To use new tools and to meet other educators around the globe who are facing the same budget difficulties that we face in Ohio. It’s not where we’re alone in this. Other educators around the globe are experiencing the same pinch. California, Singapore … it’s nice to have that community feeling with them.”
The Google Teacher Academy is a professional development workshop for educators doing innovative and exciting things in their classrooms with technology, and provides information about the latest technology and ways to use it from Google.
Google spokesperson Andrea Freund said the company was thrilled to be hosting the world’s inspiring educators.
“We not only want to highlight the great work these teachers are doing with technology in the classroom, but we also want to give them the opportunity to connect with one another and learn new innovative strategies that they can take back to their districts,” she said.
Beavers said he and the other selected educators attended several work sessions where they learned how to use various computer applications. He’s partnered with a teacher from North Carolina to help develop a website that will enable educators to review education-related software.
More than 600 educators from around the globe applied to be a part of the intensive two-day professional development workshop. Last year, the workshop was held in London.
“I think it’s great that Google not only provides these applications for our schools and universities, but they offer this program for teachers who are innovative and doing incredible things in their classrooms,” he said. “They’re getting out there to spread the message that these applications are available for them and their students. I think that’s huge.”
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