James Leonard, UK Lead at Google for Education, led a session on technology in the classroom at Ark's Teach 2017 conference. He believes that rolling out technology is much more than simply purchasing devices. Moving to a collaborative learning environment supported by technology is about moving people – it involves vision setting, culture change, and ongoing support.
At Google, we’re all about solving problems. Sometimes practically and other times with wild, imaginative – or even unimaginable – solutions.
Our goal is to help more students feel engaged and love learning, to encourage their curiosity, to let them work together, to explore and create, to try something new, to make stuff and to always try again.
We also focus on building products and tools designed for the classroom that help educators do what they do best. Access to information is changing the way we communicate, work and learn. We believe technology has the power to help level the playing field, so we strive to make the opportunity for learning possible for every student.
Google is involved in a range of products and initiatives which we believe can help teachers to enhance learning in the classroom through technology, some of which Ark schools are already using. You can find out more about each by following the links.
- Chromebooks are affordable and shareable devices which are great for schools.
- Google Classroom is a free web service for classes which makes it easy for pupils and teachers to connect.
- G Suite for Education is a powerful suite of productivity tools
- Google Expeditions allows teachers to take students on immersive, virtual journeys
- Programmes like CS First, Applied Digital Skills, Made with Code, Maker Camp, and the Google Science Fair help students discover the challenges they’re passionate about solving, and give them a platform to do so.
Access to information is changing the way we communicate, work and learn - even though classrooms may not look all that different. With the answer to any question always a click away, technology can make learning possible for everyone, anywhere.
If you want to know more about how individual Ark schools are using Google, or you are an Ark school thinking about how you might be able to use Google products, please contact Lauren Thorpe, Head of Data and Systems Strategy at Ark.
And if you'd like to get regular updates from Ark, our friends and our partners, including teaching tips and best practice, please sign up for our newsletter: arkonline.org/newsletter