Initial Teacher Education (ITE) students in the Department of Education at Sussex are being given access to Google’s G Suite for Education.

Formerly called 'Google Apps For Education', the suite of education tools includes the protected Google Classroomenvironment for use at home and in school.

The project has been set up through collaboration between Google for Education and the School of Education and Social Work, IT Services, and Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) at the University of Sussex, and is expected to be developed further for subsequent years.

The effective use of technology in the classroom is a key skill for trainee teachers to implement, and Sussex is the first university in the country to work with the Google for Education team in this way.

Students will be able to work individually and collaboratively, sharing their experiences and approaches to teaching with one another using Google Classroom. Students are on placement for much of the year and, with more partnership schools across the South now using G Suite for Education, this will be particularly significant.

Duncan Mackrill, Senior Lecturer in Education, who is leading the project for the School of Education and Social Work, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for our trainee teachers to become familiar with a range of technology tools for teaching and to consider different approaches to teaching to improve learning and teaching in the classroom.”

Training will be delivered face to face as well as online via Google Hangouts to give access to experienced educators across the country, with support sessions delivered by TEL. Students will have free access to Google’s training materials for teachers, as well as the opportunity to gain certification as a Level 1 or 2 Educator.

David Walker, Head of TEL at the University of Sussex, said: “This exciting initiative will provide our ITE students with a unique opportunity to develop their digital skills and engage with a range of authentic and creative teaching approaches.

"The chance to get qualified as a Level 1 Certified Educator will greatly enhance their employability prospects and support them to make the transition into what is an increasingly digital learning environment within schools.”

Devin Regis, Adoption Manager at Google for Education, said: “The field of education is always evolving and teacher trainee programmes should reflect this. We’re thrilled to partner with the University of Sussex to provide their ITE students with training to meet the needs of today’s increasingly digital classrooms.”