Official Google Canada Blog

Supplementing learning with Read Along, an early-age literacy app

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

By mid-September, most students across Canada will have begun their school year, either online or in the classroom. As families adjust to new learning models this year, many parents may be looking for ways to support and track their child's learning, especially in areas such as literacy - an important building block and element to a child's education. Earlier this year, we made our early age literacy app, Read Along , available in nine languages and in more than 180 countries to help families from around the world looking to improve their children's reading skills. Five year old Izzy was one of the many students who started using the app. We chatted with fellow Googler and father Craig Ranta about his experience teaching literacy during COVID-19 and any helpful tips he's learned along the way. What's your reading ritual at home? We keep up with regular reading through the day and every day before bed we pick a book and read together. Because of many of the changes with COVID-19, there's been less exposure this year to classroom activities around reading so Mommy and Daddy Teacher have tried to do our best! Tell us about the Read Along App, did it fit well into your at-home reading experience? What we loved about Read Along, is that it's a great way to explore reading in a uniquely interactive way. When you're reading with Diya (the reading helper), every time you read correctly you receive points, prizes and even praise. My daughter became motivated to learn more words, and practice pronunciations so that she could gain more prizes. Even though her speech isn't perfect, the app captured what she was trying to say and helped her walk through sentences. It was great exposure to new and longer words. How can other families leverage Read Along for reading at home? Read Along is a great break from the regular routine, and makes reading a more interactive experience. There are also games after finishing a story so it's a great way for kids to improve their literacy skills while having fun. For Izzy some of the stories were a bit more advanced than what she would typically be reading, but it still allowed her to see and hear more challenging words and read them aloud. This year, we're inviting parents to read to their kids -both with and without Read Along- and share stories written by their children during the month of September. Read Along will publish some of the submissions on the app. We're also sharing a handbook for educators (even those in the most low-tech classrooms) with ideas to help them leverage Read Along in their lesson plans. For parents looking for additional resources for at-home reading and learning, check out our Tech Toolkit for Families and Guardians, or the Teach from Anywhere hub.

Posted by the Google Canada Team

Introducing Market Finder, a new free tool to help Canadian businesses go global

Friday, September 11, 2020

Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy. Not only are they the fabric of our communities, bringing neighborhoods together, but they employ 90% of the private sector workforce and make up roughly 97.9% of all Canadian businesses.

These small business owners are experts when it comes to local customers, but can be less knowledgeable about finding new markets further afield, whether it be understanding the culture and buying trends, export legalities, or payment options for their product in other countries. In Canada, fewer than 10% of small and medium-sized businesses export , yet those that do are more likely to survive and scale.

Export presents a huge potential for Canadian businesses. Thirty nine per percent of all clicks to Canadian Advertisers come from overseas ( Source: Google Data, Canada, Finance, Jan-Dec 2019) . DECIEM , a collection of Canadian beauty brands knows firsthand the benefits of going global. They started in 2013 with one product in one market, and now they are a global business. “Globalization and localization has always been at the forefront of the growth strategy for DECIEM, enabling us to reach a wider audience than would be possible in Canada alone,” says Jordanne Dyck, Digital Director, DECIEM.“We start by leveraging established local partners as we enter new markets to propel awareness, which then translates to growth of our direct to consumer channels in those markets. Today our products are sold globally with about 90% of our sales generated outside of Canada. "

It's a similar story for Toronto-based, Inkbox , established by brothers Tyler and Braden Handley in 2015. The Handley's quickly took their business global, using Google Ads and platforms like YouTube , where they've built a community of over 30 thousand subscribers. Today, they have sold more than one million tattoos to over 150 countries, and the US accounts for 60% of their total sales. Going global from the start unlocked valuable venture capital investment for Inkbox, and they were able to prove that their business could be profitable in larger markets around the world.

The internet has broken down international trade barriers, making it possible for even small and medium-size businesses to become truly global players. But taking those first steps into the wider world can be daunting. That's why today, we're introducing Market Finder , a free, one-stop-shop for everything that a business needs to grow internationally. The tool will not only identify the best markets for your product or service, but also tell you how to prepare for new markets and suggest the right digital marketing solutions.

“This new tool aligns with Export Development Canada's efforts to help Canadian innovators connect with markets presenting the best opportunities for them. We are so pleased to see partners like Google Canada work alongside us to help small businesses seize the opportunity to reach new customers globally, "said Carl Burlock, Executive Vice-President and Chief Business Officer at Export Development Canada.

Market Finder offers guides, videos, and tips making it as easy as possible for businesses to go global following three steps:

Step 1: Market Finder recommends the best markets for your business

Create your global business plan using detailed market insights. How do your potential customers use the internet? What's their disposable income? Market Finder recommends the best market for your business, and gives you all the insights you need to research your next global market.

Step 2: Prepare to go global

Once you've decided on your next market, use our tools, guides, and resources to plan the next steps of the journey to your new global market. Market Finder will help you navigate areas like localization, international payments, and logistics.

Step 3: Reach global customers looking for what you sell

Every successful global business needs a watertight marketing plan. What is the best language to advertise in? Which devices are your customers using and what's the best way to reach them? Market Finder helps you make marketing decisions with data and customer insights, and suggest the best tools to put it all into action.

Posted by Matt McHale, Head of Scaled Sales, Google Canada

Android 11's Pixel-first features are here

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

software updates Prioritize people, with Pixel*

The new Smart Reply on your Pixel’s keyboard makes typing effortless by giving you helpful suggestions when you’re using chat apps. And it’s all processed on your phone to protect your privacy. (Right now this is available in English only and requires use of Gboard. It’s not available for all chat apps.)

Get more control over your phone
Now your Pixel can make app suggestions based on your daily routines so you can quickly get to tools you need, when you need them. Your phone will recommend apps you use at different times of the day, like Messages for your daily check-ins, Google Maps for your afternoon stroll or the media apps you use in the evening to help you wind down from a busy day.

Your Pixel will also give you more convenient ways to select text and images, or take a screenshot with new overview actions. So whether you’re copying and pasting, saving or sharing the content you want, you’ll have more options over how you select and engage with content on your Pixel.

Make your Pixel as unique as you are, starting with your home screen. Now, your Pixel can help organize your phone with new intelligent suggestions for folder names. Quickly group apps by theme, like Photography, News, Navigation, Fitness and more.

Pixel x Android 11
In addition to everything coming to Pixel first, you’ll also get all of the great new Android 11 features as well, giving you easier ways to manage your conversations, connected devices, privacy and beyond.

Android 11 begins rolling out to Pixel devices today; learn more about all of the Android 11 updates here.

* Not available in India. Requires up to date Google Street View imagery, a working data connection and bright outdoor light. Maps and navigation may not be available in all areas. See g.co/maps/locationsharing for more details.

Introducing the first cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

research showsGoogle for Startups Accelerator for Women Foundersinaugural cohort

Coconut Software (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) Customer engagement solutions that modernize how banks and credit unions engage, creating a streamlined experience for both staff and customers

COI Energy (Tampa, Florida) Brings together utilities and businesses to detect and eliminate energy waste in buildings to optimize the electric grid - creating a climate friendly economy for future generations to live, work, play and thrive

CultivatePeople (Arlington, Virginia) The company’s compensation software, Kamsa, provides global market compensation data and helps companies make data driven pay decisions so they can eliminate pay gaps.

CurieAI (Santa Clara, California) Transforming care for respiratory illnesses like Asthma and COPD through AI-based models that help physicians understand respiratory health, disease progression, and treatment effectiveness at an individualized and population level.

Fairygodboss (New York City, New York) The largest career community for women and provides free resources like career connections, job listings, virtual recruiting events, community advice, and the hard-to-find information about how companies treat women.

Heirlume (Hamilton, Ontario) Making trademark registration as easy and accessible as domain registration by providing the first self-serve professional-quality trademark search and application platform.

Kapwing (San Francisco, California) A company on a mission to enable digital storytelling via an online image, video, and GIF editing platform.

Livestock Water Recycling (Calgary, Alberta) A machine learning enabled nutrient recovery technology (PLANT) and myPLANT data dashboard creates value for food producers by digitizing their waste outputs, allowing reduced expenses and environmental impact.

My Intelligent Machines [MIMs] (Montreal, Quebec) Helping life-science companies use their big data and AI to maximize food and drug production.

Possip (Nashville, Tennessee) Using text-message based pulse checks in over 100 languages to allow schools and districts to quickly and routinely hear from their community of families and staff, and act on the insights they learn.

Wisy (San Francisco, California) Developing technology to bring digital efficiency into the physical world, supporting consumer products businesses and making them thrive in the new economy.

Zennea Technologies (Vancouver, BC) Aiming to be the first clinically-proven medical device for chronic snoring and mild OSA - so people who snore won’t have to worry about ineffective solutions ever again.

Posted by Ashley Francisco, Head of Startup Developer Ecosystems, Google Canada

Find high-quality apps for kids on Google Play

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

We’ve heard from parentsKids tab “Teacher Approved” kid-friendly app content

Apps are rated on factors like age-appropriateness, quality of experience, enrichment, and delight. We include information in the app listing about why the app was rated highly to help parents determine if the app is right for their child.

How to find “Teacher Approved” apps in Google Play
Whenever parents search the Play Store, they can look for the “Teacher Approved” badge to quickly see which apps have been reviewed and rated highly by teachers. If you want to browse content that's been "Teacher Approved", simply go to the "Kids" tab. And, if you’re a Google Play Pass subscriber, a great selection of “Teacher Approved” content is available within "Apps and games for kids."

Today’s announcement wouldn’t be possible without teachers who’ve been working closely with us for the last few years to curate apps that can help kids develop, grow and have fun. We trust teachers to enrich our kids while they’re in school, and we’re grateful they’ve shared their expertise to rate the apps kids use when they’re not in school as well.

The new Kids tab with “Teacher Approved” apps will roll out in Canada on Google Play over the next few days, and we’ll be expanding to new countries in the coming months. We’d love to hear what you think as we continue to make the Play Store more helpful for parents. You can share your thoughts by opening the menu in the Play Store and tapping “Help and feedback.” And don’t forget—for parents who want to set digital ground rules for their kids, like setting time limits on the apps your child has on their device, check out our Family Link app (not available in Quebec).

Explore Kids Space: A way to nurture your kid's curiosity

Monday, August 31, 2020

Family Linkkids tab Designed for nurturing your kid’s curiosity and creativity

Recommended library of free books, apps and videos
To evaluate and select “teacher-approved” apps in Google Play, we worked with academic experts and children’s education specialists to define rubrics. For Kids Space, we’ve built on that foundation and applied our quality standard to an ever-expanding library of apps and books in the Play and Read tabs. We worked with top publishers to make popular children’s books free of charge, and have over 400 free books available in English alone. In the Watch and Make tabs, your kids can view creative and fun videos from YouTube Kids that are engaging and encourage off-screen activities. And if you’re looking to customize even more, parents can download additional content from Google Play.

Join us in our journey as we continue to create productive and healthy experiences for kids that adapt to the evolving world and needs of your family.

* Kids Space requires a Google Account for your child. Parental controls require the Family Link app on a supported Android, Chromebook, or iOS device. Books and video content not available in all regions. Video content subject to availability of YouTube Kids app. Books content requires the Play Books app. Availability of apps, books, and video content may change without notice. † Google Assistant not available in Kids Space.

Helping Canadian nonprofits connect with local communities

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

COVID-19 is expected to drive 49 million people around the globe into extreme poverty, with social issues such as unemployment, food security, housing, mental health, domestic violence and racial inequality being amplified by the pandemic. In Canada, searches for 'how to help' and 'where to donate' have reached an all-time high, as Canadians across the country look for ways to give back. As a result, many nonprofits are responding to the call to action, despite also struggling to stay afloat with typical fundraising activities impacted due to social distancing.

One way nonprofits can get their message out to a wider audience, so that they can continue to attract donors, raise awareness and recruit volunteers is to use in-kind advertising on Google Search through Google Ad Grants. Launched in 2003 as Google's first philanthropic effort, Google Ad Grants offers nonprofits $10,000 USD a month to spend on search ads. Today, there are over 85,000 nonprofit organizations in Canada that are eligible for Ad Grants.

To help onboard nonprofits who may not be aware of Ad Grants or don't know how to get started, Google employees across Canada's three sites in Toronto, Waterloo and Montreal created a nonprofit accelerator program, led by 90 volunteers. Through the accelerator program, nonprofits are provided recommendations on how to fully optimize their Ad Grants and are given training on how to improve organizational productivity with easy to use G Suite tools like Gmail, Docs, Calendar, Drive, and Meet.

For Food Banks Canada, an Ad Grant recipient and participant of Google Canada's nonprofit accelerator program, feeding those experiencing food insecurity is difficult in the best of times. New challenges brought on by the pandemic, such as decreases in community-based fund and food raising events, supply chain challenges, and less volunteers, make it even more difficult to ensure everyone that needs it, receives support.

During the pandemic, Food Banks Canada launched the 'I Ate' campaign to ensure all Canadians from coast to coast can say “I Ate”. With the help of Google Ad Grants and our agencies Skylar Media Group and The Local Collective, the campaign saw a 690% increase in personal donations in the first 3 weeks, over that same time period the previous year,” said Tania Little, Chief Development and Partnerships Officer. “We have been so grateful for the outpouring of support from Canadians during these times.”

With community organization needs and volunteer roles changing rapidly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Volunteer Canada responded quickly by compiling and developing resources to help nonprofit organizations, companies and individuals navigate volunteer engagement and related topics. Google Ad Grants have allowed them to further extend their reach to provide relevant and up-to-date information on evolving volunteer engagement practices.

“Google Ad Grants provided us with a new tool to get timely information into the hands of those who needed it most,” shared Karine Diedrich, VP Public Engagement and Knowledge Mobilization at Volunteer Canada. “It helped us reach nonprofits who were looking to thank and celebrate their volunteers, connect with companies seeking guidance on how to support community partners, and guide individuals looking to give back in their communities. As a fairly new recipient of the grant, the support we received through the accelerator program was just what we needed to refine, target and adapt our ads.”

In Quebec, nonprofit organization Immigrant Quebec uses Ad Grants to make sure they are communicating the most up-to-date and reliable information to newcomers in need of support.

“Google Ad Grants give us the opportunity to increase our communication towards immigrants who are looking for information in this uncertain period. We are very grateful that Google gives us the opportunity to reach many more people than usual,” said Christophe Berthet, General Manager, Immigrant Quebec.

For nonprofits looking to reach a wider audience and enhance their productivity, here are some tips on how to get started:

Check out all of Google's resources and programs for nonprofits by visiting our resource hub.
Activate your Google for Nonprofits account.
If you are eligible, activate Google Ad Grants and watch this five minute video on how to get started.
Sign up for G Suite for Nonprofits to receive free access to productivity tools like Gmail, Docs, Calendar, Drive, and Meet, which can help your team collaborate remotely.
Watch our first and second Grow with Google OnAir educational webinars, specifically designed for nonprofits. Or check out our Google for Nonprofits YouTube channel for additional resources.
Sign up for our Google for Nonprofit newsletter for monthly updates and tips.

Posted by Natasha Walji, Director, Telco, Public Sector & Tech, Google Canada

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