On a scale of 1-10, was getting the certification worth it?  I would say I would rate Google a 10 on that scale. Even though the certification process was a bit hard, it really helped me to learn the Google Tools. That being said for Certification 1 & 2 I would watch Youtube Videos or go to a bootcamp for the best Tool help. The Google Site wasn't really helpful. The training process was great and the other Certified trainers I have met and the resources I have gained from this PLC have been absolutely amazing! 

I would give the Apple Badges an 8. If you were not really familiar with Apple tools before, this is a great way to learn them. I would say the iPad version of the trainings are better. The computer option was really confusing. There are a lot of educator tools and resources available as well which are amazing.  I say I knock it down to an 8 because of the desktop versions. I would love to be an ADE but need a lot of time for that. 

Yes that is a four! This physically pains me because I REALLY wanted this to be rated higher. I honestly gave my best effort to rate this properly. I searched my feelings and bias, but honestly getting this certification was a LOT of work. I have a masters degree, I graduated 17th in my class, I was magna Cum Laude, and this certification was honestly more work than some college classes. Honestly, I wouldn't mind, that wasn't the problem because really- I LOVE LEARNING- in case you couldn't tell from this page of certifications. I am writing these reviews not to boast or brag, but instead to mention which certification I feel makes you a better educator. Which one are amazing learning experiences. 

Now that being said, I have used the ISTE standards as an impetus to create trainings and to lead an entire cohort group of instruction. (After this experience I THINK I may still be going down the path of using them, maybe not,  but I digress). The standards themselves are pretty well organized and are important to incorporate. However, the process of getting this actual certification is not. There needs to be a cost/benefit analysis of taking your time to get certified in any area. Getting Google and Apple certified- no question, the benefits of going through the process are a "no-brainer" in regards to certification. The ISTE certification I really struggled with. Maybe it is because my "students" were other colleagues, or because it is implementing them with sporadic groups, but going though this process still really bothered me. I was really annoyed by the sheer rigidness of the portfolio requirements. I mean the whole process of any type of assessment in a classroom is to prove growth and learning. I have taught for a decade and a half, and I have learned that students need to shine and show growth in their own way. That is true assessment, which is motivating and inspiring for students. If they are able to progress and demonstrate their understanding in various ways they will learn and grow.  I was hoping since the whole premise of this certification was focusing on "standards," that best practices would be implemented- I was wrong. 

OK, so I didn't pass the first time I submitted this portfolio, I will admit that. One artifact video "seemed too fast" to want to bother watching, one artifact was 2 seconds over the time limit, and another artifact I couldn't use because going to conferences to watch and learn from other trainers to show evidence of growth was incorrect- I had to prove I read an article. You know, that isn't my first choice when I want to learn. Also,  our department creates self-paced learning modules with MULTIPLE UDL principles incorporated- but the artifact didn't match a particular article they had referenced in their criteria.  This process seriously felt like teaching to the test! (be ultra specific and we will grade you on every single minute fault).  The criteria is more of a "check-off list" than it is a rubric. If I had my students demonstrate their learning to me in my classroom as their teacher - I wanted to see varied and different examples of student growth and understanding. I wanted to see each student's unique experience with how they understood and experienced the standards. The rigid control and specific requirements just really made me unmotivated to do this and it left a bitter and bad taste in my mouth. It was a great learning experience as far as helping other teachers and I met some great people along the way, but in regards to that cost/benefit conversation- this was not worth the cost.  I REALLY REALLY was the most excited about this particular certification at the beginning, and I had to see it through and pass the final criteria because I am just not someone who quits despite the circumstance, but I wouldn't suggest any fellow educators go down this path to better their professional development. Join ISTE- yes.  Learn about the standards- Sure. But certification- ehhhh.  Also, as teachers in NM with a limited budgets- this process was EXPENSIVE, so choose wisely.   

This is honestly just my opinion,  and I get that you may not agree. I do know that out of a cohort of 8 members in our team who pursued this certification- I think I was the only one who saw it through to completion. If you are a teacher or professor and only 1/8 of your students finish your class- you need to start looking at your instruction, not faulting the students. I hope ISTE really values what teachers, coaches and other educators can do to prove their use and understanding of the ISTE standards- there are more than 9-14 very specific ways to demonstrate understanding and implementation of an idea! I have seen and coached educators in incorporating them, and they have shown me some amazing things. I grow physically ill thinking about critiquing each and every component of those final project for "having too many links to things."  If I came back to the educators I trained and made that comment- I can't see them coming back to me for more instruction.  So with that thought I will put a couple of my favorite quotes on the left and let you explore this certification on your own! 

I can't describe enough how much I have used Common Sense media, not only as a teacher, but also as a parent. The thorough vetting of games, movies and books has helped me to make informed decisions for my children. As a teacher, I will say that Digital Citizenship was an area that I was lacking experience and resources. When I became an Educational Technology coach, I used Common Sense media lessons and curriculum extensively.  It is well organized and readily available and the topic areas make a lot of sense. I was recently invited to be a common sense ambassador, and I am excited for that new role. 

Seesaw has been a great tool for various grade levels.  Becoming a Seesaw ambassador has made a lot of tools and training materials available for teachers. I will say that our district recently procured K-2 licenses during COVID 19.  The staff and Seesaw support has been amazing with our district. Great tool and great certification. 

I'm only giving this a 7 because I was a bit confused going through all the different levels. I will say that I do love EdPuzzle as an amazing tool. The levels are great to become familiar with the tool and how to use it with best practices. The only thing was I should have started with the coaching certification because it covered a lot of what the other levels covered, and that wasn't really clear. 

I think Screencastify is one of my all time favorite extensions for chrome. I bought the educator version and it was totally worth it. When our director pulled up the recordings with Screencastify in our district I had made by far the most videos during COVID for our district using Screencastify (over 600 videos). It is easy, intuitive, the videos are great quality and it works with many different apps and tools. The process of getting certified really helps with the use of tools and there are a lot of resources available from Google Educator gurus like Alice Keeler and Matt Miller. The certification process gives you some great ways to use Screencastify and I really enjoy certifications that help you to think outside the box. 

Pear deck is great! An amazing tool. I am only sad I haven't been able to use it more extensively with teachers at our district. They really stepped up their game during COVID- providing new features that can help with self-paced instruction that is still engaging and interactive. The webinars for the coaches were ok- I wanted a bit more out of the webinars- I am sure the summits are probably phenomenal.  Overall though, this is mostly incorporated or using the tool and I use it a lot with our Digital Innovator cohort. Glad I got this certification. 

I give this certification an 8 mostly because it snuck up on me! I used class Dojo a lot in my classroom and it was an amazing tool to stay connected with parents, but more so because I used it to give out team points to students. It kept them motivated throughout the year and helped to create a clear line of communication with students. A few students who had BIPs, I utilized Class Dojo for them to write their own updates home every single day.  The badges are not something that is really flaunted to teachers, they were a surprise when they showed up on my account. When they did show up though, I wanted to strive to do more and engage more with the tool, which really is a win-win for both sides. 

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