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Google Certification exams are FREE (for a limited time)
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β¨ Master Google Gemini! Join me for the Google Certification Academy! β¨ Hi Reader! Welcome to 2026! Google kicked off the new year with a flurry of updates to their certification exams and programs. There will be some more exciting updates later this month! π€« 2026 is a GREAT year to become a Google Certified Educator! Here are some important updates you should know. π¦ Don't feel like reading? Here's my YouTube summary of these updates! If you are using tools like Gemini, Drive, and Google Classroom on a daily basis, it might be a fun goal to become a Google Certified Educator in 2026! You can join me for my upcoming course, or work on your certification with colleagues at your school! π Three Certifications: which one is right for you?Google now offers three teacher certifications! These certifications are independent (you can earn them in any order). Earning all three demonstrates a strong understanding of classroom technology:
π All three of these exams are FREE for a limited time! Special note: Google also released a Gemini certification for students (13+) AND a Gemini certification for university students! Performance based labs (new for 2026)Google is bringing back performance based labs on the L1 and L2 exams. Both exams will feature two distinct sections:
During these labs you will use various Google tools (Gmail, Calendar, Classroom, etc) to complete a series of tasks (example). Google's exam software is able to evaluate your performance to confirm if you completed each task. This two-section exam is a great approach that balances general knowledge (MC questions) with practical application (labs). The Gemini exam consists of a single set of 35-40 multiple choice and matching questions. All three exams are open book / open notes. Consulting external resources can be helpful on the multiple choice section, but you still need to be able to actually complete tasks using Gmail, drive, calendar, etc. during the lab portion of the exam. AI can't do that for you! Updated study resourcesWant to pass the first time? Here are some key resources to help you get ready! These resources have been updated with all of the new exam changes!
Why get certified? Is it worth it?Earning a Google certification provides official validation that you are a proficient user of essential classroom tools. Educators who pass the certification exam earn a verified certificate from Google (here's mine). This is great documentation to include on your professional resume. πͺ There's nothing magical about getting certified, but it's a nice external goal that can increase your credibility and personal confidence. These initial certifications are also the gateway to becoming a Google Certified Trainer or Innovator. These programs have had an incredible impact on my life. π― If some external motivation and support helpful, please consider signing up for the Google Certification Academy in February. I would love to help you become a Google Certified Educator! John R. Sowash π¨ Did someone forward this email to you? Click here to add your name to my monthly email list!
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βThe Google EDU Update
Tired of missing out on the coolest Google updates and new features? Join thousands of other teachers who rely on my monthly newsletter to stay ahead of the curve. Get the top 10 updates, teaching inspiration, and time-saving links delivered straight to your inbox.
β¨ Registration for my winter Google Certification Academy + AI is open! β¨ Happy holidays and Merry Christmas, Reader! The holiday season kicked off for our family last weekend with our local production of the Nutcracker featuring four of my five kids in various roles. It's holiday parties, family gatherings, and festive celebrations from here on out! For the December EDU Update, we'll look BACK at what happened in the past year and FORWARD to some new tools you can expect to see in 2026. Here...
π BLACK FRIDAY Sale: 50% off my Wednesday Webinar Subscription! π Happy Thanksgiving, Reader! It's been a while since my last EDU Update, primarily because I was busy organizing the 13th annual miGoogle conference for 400+ Michigan educators. The event went well and now I am back in the office tracking the latest Google and edTech updates. This month we have quite a few AI updates and two controversial research reports on the impact of technology in education that are sure to spark some...
β¨ Ready to explore AI? Check out Wednesday Webinars with John! β¨ Hi Reader! Over the past month Iβve been able to visit a half-dozen different schools across the US sharing tips and ideas for using AI in the classroom. While there are a LOT of AI tools available, thereβs one that I think is at the top of the list: Google Gemini. This month Iβd like to share some neat and surprising things you can do with Gemini, AND help you earn your Gemini educator certification! ποΈListen to the podcast...