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We are all about that personalized learning journey here in digital teaching and learning, so in order to send you off into the summer in style, we offer you several pathways to craft your own summer learning journey with the Big 6. Pick your path, follow your curiosity, and come back inspired!


Adobe:

Take the first steps to incorporating creativity in your class with Adobe Creative Educator Level 1 or dive deeper into the creative waters with Adobe Creative Educator Level 2 self-paced courses from UEN. Find more details and registration links here: https://digitallearning.jordandistrict.org/2025/06/01/adobe-update-june-2025/

Canva:

Want to learn more about the ins and outs of Canva, but don't know where to starts? Have no fear! You are spoiled for choice in Canva's Design School. Check out the Canva Essentials self-paced course if you are new to the platform. Or if you ready to level up your game, check out the self-paced Teacher Essentials course to equip yourself with the essential skills needed to facilitate engaging learning with Canva.

Canvas:

Our friends at the Utah Education Network have a host of new self-paced courses to fill up your summer with learning. We have two options for your learning journey. Cover the basics with the Canvas Foundations class. This course will guide them in creating their own course using best practices to set up a visual home page, add engaging content, assess student learning, and communicate effectively using Canvas. Register here: https://uen.catalog.instructure.com/browse/uen2025/courses/canvasfoundations2025

Or if you want to sharpen your skills a bit, check out the Enhancing Your Canvas Skills course. Participants in this course will learn to augment and elevate their Canvas skills by incorporating Universal Design for Learning guidelines as they create engaging homepages, discussions, and quizzes and incorporate LTI tools into instruction. Register here: https://uen.catalog.instructure.com/browse/uen2025/courses/enhancing-your-canvas-skills-2025

Google:

As for your Google options, if you want to earn your Google Certified Educator and earn USBE or SUU credit, you can sign up for the Level 1 Google Course or the Level 2 Google Course through UEN and earn all the credit!

Find more details and registration links here: https://digitallearning.jordandistrict.org/2025/05/13/a-summer-of-google/

Nearpod:

UEN has a couple of options for you to brush up on your Nearpod prowess. If you are new to Nearpod, check out Getting Started with Nearpod. The course begins with an introduction to Nearpod and its basic features before diving into the strategic use of those features to meet instructional goals. Teachers will learn how to leverage media, discussion, assessment, and accessibility features in Nearpod to bolster their teaching. Register for the course here: https://uen.catalog.instructure.com/browse/uen2025/courses/nearpod2025

If you are a Nearpod pro, check out Expanding Your Nearpod Skills course. This is all about using Nearpod strategically in your classroom by apply accessibility guidelines to their Nearpod lessons, implement Nearpod-infused classroom routines, facilitate meaningful collaboration with Nearpod, and use Nearpod to personalize learning. By the end of this course, teachers will have the knowledge and skills to employ Nearpod in powerful, creative ways that spark students' imaginations and deepen their learning. Register for the course here: https://uen.catalog.instructure.com/browse/uen2025/courses/expanding-your-nearpod-skills-2025

Or you can register to attend the virtual Camp Engage, July 24-26th. At Camp Engage, you can learn how to create Nearpod magic alongside thousands of educators around the world. There is a wide range of topics for teachers and administrators with nearly 30-50 sessions per event. Register here: https://nearpod.com/blog/camp-engage-virtual-professional-development-for-teachers/

School AI:

School AI is Jordan's educational AI partner. They have some certification courses for educators. If you newer to the AI game, check out the Level 1 Certified Educator Course from School AI. Register here: https://community.schoolai.com/c/level-1-certified-educator/

UEN has a couple of options for educators who want to explore the big picture use of AI in the classroom. A good starting place is their course AI and Student Learning. This course will help educators navigate this new frontier by exploring different types of AI and their applications, the ethical challenges and dilemmas of AI in education, the impact of AI on teaching and learning, and the design of activities and assessments that incorporate AI. Register here: https://uen.catalog.instructure.com/browse/uen2025/courses/ai2025


This month’s website update invites you to embark on a personalized summer learning adventure with the Big 6 tools. For each tool, you’ll discover two self-paced learning journeys—choose the path that excites you most and unlock the treasure of new skills at your own pace. Whether you’re designing, organizing, collaborating, or creating, there’s an adventure waiting for every educator. As you set out on your summer learning journey, we wish you happy exploring and hope you discover treasures that will inspire your teaching next year. Happy learning!

 

A Summer of Google: June 2025 Learning Opportunities

UEN Google Certified Educator Level 1

UEN Google Certified Educator Level 2

Utah's Gemini Academy

Other Opportunities

Watch the GEG Utah April 2025 Meet Up: Gem "and I" as we discuss ways Gemini can take your home and work life to the next level. Could Gemini be the answer to your daily struggles? 👀 ✨ The slide deck can be found here.

Innovate 💡:

  • Update: The GEG North American groups have standardized their online presence. We've transitioned to a sleek, unified website template. Say goodbye to the old site and hello to our fresh, new digital home

Cultivate 🪏: 

Google Training (Your Summer Homework) 📚:

MOST IMPORTANT THING- PLEASE READ:

  • GEG Utah will be hosting our first annual Gemini Academy on June 9, 2025. Join us for an immersive workshop designed to unlock the educational potential of Gemini, where you'll discover innovative ways to enhance teaching and learning. Everyone with an interest in learning more about Gemini is invited to attend!

R.S.V.P. Here

Feel free to share this information with other educators! We hope to see you IRL sometime this summer. 🌞

Hey All You Googlers! Preparing for your next adventure? 🚀 Leave behind a helpful legacy! Spring clean your Google Drive with 'Pass the Doc' (ownership transfer) for those staying, AND easily transfer your hard work to your personal Gmail account using Google Takeout. Manage your files, and create a smooth transition for everyone!

April 2025 Google News by kelli.cannon

Next, let's welcome spring and National Poetry Month with a pair of 'Googley' activities!

Option 1:
We'll start by using the often-overlooked Google Drawings tool to create a magnetic poetry template, enabling students to explore spring vocabulary and poetry in a fun, interactive way.

Option 2:
Next, Google's "Verse By Verse" is an excellent tool for older students seeking to push their creative boundaries. This Google AI tool draws on classic American poets to generate different types of poems. Challenge students to select three poets and experiment with blending different styles, analyzing how the AI's suggestions reflect each poet's distinct voice.

Hey All You Googlers! UCET 2025 was a success! I wanted to share resources from two of my favorite Google sessions this month. The first is the annual GEG Utah Demo Slam. Google Certified Educators from across the state battled it out for the coveted traveling 3D Printed Google Trophy. Our winner, Eliza Lyons from Granite District, featured ratings in Google Forms. Here are the rules below:

  • Each Google Certified Educator will submit one video
  • Video must demonstrate use of Google tools/add-ons/extensions/etc.
  • Demonstration portion of the video must be ≤ 2 minutes
  • Video must include a brief introduction (may be outside of the 2 minute time limit)
  • Video must conclude with a “SLAM”

Adding in AI for Accessibility with Google Tools

This virtual session from GEG Utah focused on enhancing accessibility with Google AI! Get actionable strategies for tools like NotebookLM, MusicFX and more to support every learner in your classroom. Continue Reading...