There are many ways to advance your professional education in integrating technology in the classroom this school year.
Our Teacher inservice work this school year includes a strong focus on technology integration. It includes department-specific work at the high school and middle school, workshop-style sessions at the elementary, after-school opportunities, and Coaching through the instructional coaches we have in each building. In addition, the G-N Schools have contracted with an Apple Learning Specialist who is facilitating many sessions this year. Finally, the district routinely supports teachers to bring back skills learned from technology conferences in the area, including the ITEC conference in the fall, the AEA267 Learning with Technology Conference in the winter, and the Iowa 1:1 Conference in the spring.
The District also uses feedback from staff and students to make decisions in supporting technology integration. This includes giving the Clarity Brightbytes survey each school year, which is a free service to all schools in Iowa.
Apple Vanguard Training
This is a cohort of up to 20 members who meet for at least 24 contact hours to complete immersive, engaging lesson activities that can be carried into the classroom. These include learning about the extensive capabilities of the software built into all student and teacher devices. It also includes work with both iPads and laptops.
Our District currently has 2 different cohorts;
Teachers Cohort with 20 teachers from every building in the District
Coaches Cohort with myself and our rock-star Instructional Coaches
Apple Teacher Certification
This is new, free, and online. Work through a series of lessons and pass a short assessment to earn badges enroute to earning this certification. Find out more at this link. We have several Apple Teachers in the District
Apple Professional Academy
This involves an intensive week-long program focusing on using OS X and iOS devices (tablet and laptop) in the classroom. It is intended for advanced users. This takes place in Cupertino, California. The G-N District has purchased 4 seats. An Apple Teacher Certification is one of the prerequisites.
Apple Distinguished Educator
This is a "relationship program based on excellence and leadership". Here is a chance to be recognized for skills you have worked so hard to build. Read more about it at this link. This is the most prestigious recognition from Apple.
There are two different Google Education Certifications, both described at this link.
There are self-paced web training lessons with a test at the end. They include:
Google Certified Educator Level 1 ($10 cost)
Google Certified Educator Level 2 ($25 cost)
Google Certified Trainer (pass at least 5 of the skill exams - cost $15 each)
Google Certified Innovator (pass Level 2 first) - this is a really big deal
Besides the self-paced work, AEA 267 offers short courses throughout the year to help reach each of these levels.
Besides the self-paced work, AEA 267 offers short courses throughout the year to help reach each of these levels.
Apple also has certifications in Productivity Apps (using Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) and I.T. certification.
These do have a cost. And so that they are not left out, Microsoft has it's Certified Educator program.
These do have a cost. And so that they are not left out, Microsoft has it's Certified Educator program.
Completion of each certification does not come with a trophy or check. It reflects a level of expertise at integrating technology in the classroom. It is possible to simply go through the motions at any level, but the real impact comes with transforming the classroom as described by the SAMR model. These are great technology professional development opportunities that can be impactful in your classroom.
