Unit 2: Mastering Digital Technologies

Overview

An important piece of being an EdTech professional is understanding the tools available to you. It is difficult to sit with teachers and consult on innovative learning strategies when there isn’t a strong background in different tools and ideas. Though these tools do constantly change, there are opportunities for growth and development providers. Through this activity, you will be able to deepen your understanding of some more common tools and come away with specific certifications. 

Performance outcomes

• Candidates will build their online resume by collecting certifications and pieces of training from outside groups. 

What will you do?

1. Pick from the listed certification/training programs in the resources, or find additional programs you are interested in learning more about.  Choose out of both interest and practicality to your school/district environment. You may choose to do more than one. 

2. Complete the requirements to collect the training and earn the badges/certificates.

3. Submit the certificate of completion from the group along with a reflection on how this training will benefit you as a professional and the teachers that you work with. Note: Some certifications may require extra cost. 

4. The trainings can be extensive, so set realistic goals. Sample practical goals for this week (choose 1 or more):

   • Google Certification:  Google Certified Educator Level 1 (or higher if you have already achieved this level)

   • Apple: Apple Teacher Certification

   • Microsoft Education Community: 2-3 Earned Badges on devices or strategies. 

   • Vidcode: learn coding through tutorials and challenges

5. Post your new certification(s) on your Digital Portfolio.

Report requirements

• Certificate/Badge from the group you choose posted to your digital portfolio

• Reflection on how this training/experience will benefit you and your teachers 

Notes

Feel free to continue growing in these certifications as you go through the program. Not only are they excellent pieces of training, but also look good on the resume.

Overview

Michael Fullan is quoted saying, “Pedagogy is the driver, technology is the accelerator”.  The central purpose of integrating technology into the classroom is not to replace the content or the teacher, but rather to support learning in ways not previously possible.  It is important as an EdTech professional that you have an understanding or at the least a resource of tools and strategies that you can bring to coaching sessions and classroom situations.  

Performance outcomes

• Candidates will collaborate to create an online resource of apps/tools that can be used to enhance learning in the classroom. 

What will you do?

1. Using a content curation tool (Padlet, Wakelet, Google Slides, etc.), work as a cohort to gather 8-10 apps and tools that fit each of the following categories. 

   • Assessment/Feedback

   • Classroom/Time Management

   • Subject Specific Tools - Secondary/Middle School

   • Subject Specific Tools - Elementary/PreK

   • Subject Specific Tools - Languages/All Grades Subjects

   • Communication (teacher to students, teacher to parents, school to family)

   • Video Editing/Production Tools

   • Tech resources that can be brought into the classroom (robots, VR, coding, etc)

2. As you add tools/sites to each of these categories, write a brief description for each link/tool collected. The description should include information of who the tool is for, what platform it is used for (iOs, Android, online, multiple, etc.) and one example of how this could be used in the classroom. Include relevant reviews or ratings of each tool from blog posts or social media posts.

3. Embed or present this resource in each of your individual portfolios where appropriate. Make sure the resource is publicly viewable. If desired, share this resource through your social media connections.

Report requirements

• Single, cohort-curated list of apps/tools with links and examples.