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Author: kcannon

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Decorative Image HeaderGoogle Updates: November 2026

This month, we are sharing our gratitude for Google! On November 4th, Google will be releasing five new Google AI Educator Series Badges. These microcredentials are bite-sized (15 minutes or less) digital badges to help you gain skills in using AI in your classroom. New this month- now you can earn continuing education and college credits for completion of the GES AI badges!

Gemini AcademyGemini Academy is a dedicated space within Edu on Air where education communities can explore the latest innovations in Google AI through practical, live sessions. These sessions are designed to showcase how Gemini can support teaching, learning, and institutional workflows through real demonstrations and expert guidance. Participants will discover the newest capabilities of Gemini and Gemini Notebook, learn practical ways to integrate AI into everyday work, and gain the confidence to start using these tools in their institution. Live and on-demand sessions are available here! 

New GES AI Badge Spotlights

Be Internet Awesome Badge

  • Be Internet Awesome: A fun, gamified way to teach digital safety strategies and core security pillars for students.
    Market Marshes
  • AI Quests: Try Dusky Dunes, an interactive healthcare simulation teaching the AI development life cycle and computational thinking AND the Market Marshes AI Quest to demystify the "black box" of artificial intelligence for middle schoolers. You’ll learn to facilitate a game-based simulation where students step into the role of AI scientists—cleaning environmental data and training forecasting models to solve a simulated community crisis.

Eliminate Invisible Work

  • Looking for a substitute for Google Apps Script? Try the Eliminate Invisible Work badge to learn more about how to start using Google Workspace Studio (Agentic AI).

 

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October 2026 Partner Spotlight: Google x ISTE/ASCD

Two education powerhouses are teaming up this month! Google and ISTE/ASCD are hosting joint events in October, and we’ve rounded up the top sessions every K-12 educator in our community needs to see.

Google AI Educator Series

Thank you so much for participating in the Google AI Educator Series Badge-a-thon: Day of AI Learning on Saturday, September 19, 2026! Over 4,000 educators across the country attended the 10-hour virtual learning festival. Whether you dropped in for a single 30-minute block or stayed to earn multiple ISTE-aligned digital badges live, your dedication to bringing safe, effective AI into classrooms is incredible! ICYMI, recordings of the sessions will be available soon. There are currently 30 GES badges you can earn at your own pace.

  • Format: Each 15-minute module ends with a short 4-question quiz to earn the corresponding digital badge.

  • Cost: 100% free through Google for Education.

  • Ongoing Releases: Google releases new sessions and badges regularly on the Google Educator Certifications hub. The next release will be October 7. Join the Google for Education Impact Team this October for their latest AI Educator Series release! Register now to learn, grow, and earn your newest microcredentials!
    Wed, October 7, 2026
    11:00 AM - 11:30 AM MDT
    Save your spot here: https://rsvp.withgoogle.com/events/google-ai-educator-series-october-content-drop

  • When taking the quizzes, check the following two boxes and enter "12151" in the "Other" box!  Trainer Number Info

ISTE/ASCDOpportunities to Deepen Your Skills This Month


From expert-led webinars to meetups with fellow educators, there are so many great opportunities to join ISTE/ASCD and Google for peer learning! Here are the top three sessions recommended for you this month. 

Sign up here to save your seat: https://communityeventsisteascd.my.canva.site/iste-ascd-october-2026-community-events-digest

GES Secondary Oct. GES October 2026 AI Inquiry GES Scenarios

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🍂 September 17: GEG UT Fall 2026 Meetup: "Badges and Bites"

Join us for the GEG Utah Fall Meetup next Thursday, Sept. 17 (3:15–4:15 PM) We’re diving into the new Google AI Educator Series microcredentials to help everyone stack 4+ new digital badges. For those joining in person, we’ll have a DIY Trail Mix Bar fully provided! (Extra mix-ins are welcome, but definitely not required). Drop in as your schedule allows—we hope to see you there!
📍In-Person: Juniper Elementary School (Herriman)
💻 Virtual: Google Meet (Scan the QR code on the attached flyer to join via Google Meet)

🍂 September 19: GES Badge-a-Thon 

We're excited to join the Google for Education community for the upcoming Google AI Educator Series Badge-a-thon on Saturday, September 19th! We are looking forward to tuning in and checking out our favorite sessions from Dr. Tyler Tarver, Eric, Curts, Alice Keeler and more! During the badge-a-thon, attendees will: 1. Explore concrete, high-impact AI workflows for the classroom 2. Complete the Google AI Educator module step-by-step 3. Earn official badges live on stream with dedicated Googler support 4. Join me and educators nationwide for this collaborative day of learning! Register and RSVP here: https://goo.gle/GESBadgeathon

Badge-a-thon

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