Badges & Certifications

There's a badge for that!

Digital badges and certifications are becoming more and more prevalent in educational technology. Whether educators are wanting to learn more about large, international company like Microsoft or a newer company like Breakout EDU, you can find that there is an opportunity to learn and earn! Educators can earn badges, certifications, and even micro-credentials for almost any educational tool or concept. These professional learning opportunities are a great way to learn about a tool in a deep and meaningful way and build knowledge of its applications inside the classroom.

Badges, Certifications, and Micro-Credentials

Badges:

A visual representation of achievement in a specific area or tool. Badges can be easily shared with your PLN through social media. Accumulation of badges can lead to certifications.

Certifications:

Documentation of knowledge and skills in a particular area or topic. Many of these certifications are industry recognized and can lead to opportunities in the field.

Micro-Credentials:

A digital representation of educational achievements. These are usually more involved. Micro-Credentials often come with the look of a badge, but within them contain the course, criteria, and often work done to obtain the micro-credential.

ISTE Certified Educator

"ISTE Certification for Educators is a new competency-based, vendor- and device-neutral teacher certification based on the ISTE Standards for Educators. This digital credential recognizes educators who understand how to use edtech for learning in meaningful and transformative ways...ISTE is focused on pedagogy, not tools. It’s not about edtech per se, it’s about what you do with the tech to transform learning and improve student outcomes...Through the ISTE Certification process, teachers will participate in professional learning based on the ISTE Standards and transformative pedagogy. After completing the training, participants have six months to apply their learning and compile artifacts and reflections into a competency-based portfolio to earn ISTE Certification. " https://www.iste.org/learn/iste-certification

Google Certification Opportunities for Educators (GAFE)

You can visit the Google for Education Training Center to get online professional training in Google Apps for Education. Beyond the training, there is an opportunity to purse the following certifications.

Google Certified Educator Level 1

Google Certified Educator Level 2

Google Certified Trainer

Google Certified Innovator

Microsoft Innovative Educator Opportunities (MIE)

You can join the Microsoft Educator Community with an Office 365 account to become a part of this powerful network of educators. As a part of this community, you have the opportunity to get online professional training in Microsoft Apps for Education and earn points, badges, and certifications. You earn badges for most of the online training courses. Earning certifications is more involved and requires you to provide more evidence of your ability. Following are the certifications available.

Microsoft Certified Educator

Microsoft Innovative Educator

Microsoft Certified Trainer

Microsoft Certified Expert

Various Educational Technology Tool Certifications

NearPod: PioNear - A worldwide community of innovative edtech leaders transforming teaching and learning with technology.

Seesaw Ambassador - Seesaw Ambassadors are a community of inspiring educators who currently use Seesaw and are eager to share and connect with other educators.

FlipGrid Certified Educator- Let the universe know you’re committed to empowering student voice by becoming Flipgrid Certified. Like everything in our world, we made it simple!

Breakout EDU Authorized Trainer - We created the Breakout EDU Authorized Trainer program to empower the pioneers who are sharing about how Breakout EDU can help transform teaching and learning.

Actively Learn Ambassador- We want to join forces with you to make reading meaningful for more students. As an ambassador, we ask that you be a champion for Actively Learn at your school and share the platform with others. In return, you will receive exclusive training and benefits from our team.

EdPuzzle Certification- Edpuzzle coaches are tech leaders in their schools and communities. Together we will share best practices, resources, and unique opportunities to present or attend conferences.

MaKey MaKey Certification- It’s a one day (5 hours) workshop and participants walk away with a free Makey Makey and certificate of completion!

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