What are Professional Learning Badges?
Professional Learning Badges (PLBs!) help teachers focus on relevant professional learning opportunities because they support personalized learning.
Moving beyond the traditional credit-hour model of professional development to a competency-based system is a benefit of badge systems. Badges are earned based on learning evidence rather than just seat time. This means that teachers can display the competencies that they have developed throughout their professional careers. Should a teacher choose to move to another teaching opportunity, their badge profile will follow them and help demonstrate their value and abilities as their career progresses.
Text above taken from eSchool News
In Homer, we continue to work to build appropriate, relevant, and convenient professional learning opportunities for you!
Bring on the badges!
Our PLBs have three levels, based on the belt colors in Karate. Level one is YELLOW, level two is BLUE, and level three is BLACK. Each level focuses on standards from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) technology standards. These standards are the foundation of the national technology education standards and are the building blocks of New York State's new Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards.
Yellow focuses on acquiring a basic knowledge of the tool and how to use it effectively. The standards addressed are Learner, Designer, and Facilitator. Completing a badge at this level will give you 2.5 hours of professional learning credit in Frontline.
Blue focuses on collaboration. The standards addressed are Learner, Collaborator, Designer, Facilitator, and Analyst. Completing a badge at this level will give you 3.5 hours of professional learning credit in Frontline.
Black focuses on being a leader within the school community. The standards addressed are Learner, Leader, Designer, and Facilitator. Completing a badge at this level will give you 4.5 hours of professional learning credit in Frontline.
The badge images will be shared in digital format (.PNG or .JPEG) as well as a hard copy sticker for teachers to show off proudly! Images were created by art teacher, Lauren Nels. The steps for earning the badges were created by technology coach, Lancy Collins, with assistance from Middle-School Social Studies teacher, Martha Nye.
Yellow Badges: Level 1
Level 1 badges are meant for those who have never used the app before. If you have used the app, you may want to start at Level 2.
Kami
Click the image above to access the (printable!) page with step-by-step indicators required to earn your KAMI Yellow Level Badge. When you have completed the steps, please complete
this form: https://bit.ly/3t2ZJi8
NearPod
Click the image above to access the (printable!) page with step-by-step indicators required to earn your NEARPOD Yellow Level Badge. When you have completed the steps, please complete
this form: https://bit.ly/3t2ZJi8
Blue Badges: Level 2
Meant for users who are familiar with the app but want to learn collaborative skills.
Kami
Click the image above to access the (printable!) page with step-by-step indicators required to earn your KAMI Blue Level Badge. When you have completed the steps, please complete
this form: https://bit.ly/3rY9blE
NearPod
Click the image above to access the (printable!) page with step-by-step indicators required to earn your NEARPOD Blue Level Badge. When you have completed the steps, please complete
this form: https://bit.ly/3rY9blE
Black Badges: Level 3
For advanced app users who have completed the Level 2 digital badge.
Kami
Click the image above to access the (printable!) page with step-by-step indicators required to earn your KAMI Black Level Badge. When you have completed the steps, please complete
this form: https://bit.ly/2OrGq2T
NearPod
Click the image above to access the (printable!) page with step-by-step indicators required to earn your NEARPOD Black Level Badge. When you have completed the steps, please complete
this form: https://bit.ly/2OrGq2T