Exploring Grow With Google Resources for Teachers and Learners

How do you complete this statement when creating learning experiences with your students?

When I think about complete this statement, I am always come back to the search for resources, activities, and ideas that can help my students practice and develop the 4 Cs (collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity). 

Don't get me wrong, content has its place in the learning experience, but for me, the true power of content is how it can be used to help students build what many of us call "soft skills". Trevor Muir has a great post and video about soft skills really being essential skills that all students need to develop. 

If you need more convincing, take a look at some of the conclusions that Google has drawn about what it takes to be a successful Googler. The top seven characteristics that help Google employees thrive are less about content and more about skills connected to learning and collaboration. 

• Being a good coach for colleagues. 
• Communicating and listening well.
• Possessing insights into others (including others with different values and points of view)
• Having empathy toward and being supportive of one’s colleagues.
• Being a good critical thinker.
• Being a problem solver.
• Drawing conclusions (making connections across complex ideas).

Source: The surprising thing Google learned about its employees — and what it means for today’s students

If you are curious about resources that can engage students in the development of essential skills, I would recommend exploring the Grow with Google Resources and the Grow With Google Resources for Teachers. 

There are many great resources connected to the Grow with Google Initiative, but one of my favorites for all classrooms and even some teacher PD is the Applied Digital Skills Curriculum. 

"Use our fun video lessons to engage your students while building valuable skills for school, work, and life."
"Give students practical tech skills for their future careers with our ready-to-use lessons. In any subject, students use instructional videos to complete fun projects like budgeting for a dream vacation or creating a simple computer program — learning critical thinking, collaboration, and digital skills they can use right away. No experience required, and you can begin teaching in minutes." (Source)

I've used the curriculum several times and reflected on the experience in this post. 

If you are curious to learn more, consider exploring this document that we've created to help educators explore Google's Applied Digital Skills. 

Getting to Know Applied Digital Skills

Have you explored Google's Applied Digital Skills or used the resources with your students? If yes, please share your thoughts in the comments below.