In October, Tech & Learning Magazine shared the first article about DIY (Do-It-Yourself) professional learning opportunities that are available for educators interested in earning certificates or becoming a product ambassador while exploring digital tools and resources. In this second article, you'll find three DIY learning opportunities for best practice in edtech and coding:
EDTECH TOOLS & RESOURCES
Epic E-Books Certified Educator [FREE]
https://www.getepic.com/educators
Epic has over 25,000 e-books, learning videos, and quizzes for K-5 students. As an educator, these amazing e-books are free to use! Teachers have the ability to create collections and assign those collections to students to read. Teachers also have the ability to import their class rosters into Epic from Google Classroom. Students and classes can earn badges along the way. Becoming an Epic Certified Educator requires a series of easy-to-complete activities such as reading your first book, logging-in students, assigning reading and creating quizzes. Teachers receive a digital badge to showcase their accomplishment.
CREATING & CODING
Vidcode Creative Coding Certified Educator [FREE]
https://about.vidcode.com/professional-development-course
Vidcode is a web-based platform that teaches JavaScript coding through media creation for students in grades 3-12. Become a Certified Educator by completing 4 hours of videos and activities related to creative coding, and sharing their experience at a conference or in-school workshop. Teachers get a digital badge, a certificate that they can use to apply for PD credit at their school, and access to a community of certified Vidcode educators.
PEDAGOGY & BEST PRACTICE
Nearpod Certified Educator [FREE]
https://nearpod.com/certified-educator
Nearpod is an interactive lesson delivery platform for active student engagement. To become a Nearpod Certified Educator, complete a 3-stop process that includes attending a training (live webinar, self-paced-webinar, or in-person), create a lesson, and launch it to at least 15 students. The benefits include access to a closed Facebook group for collaboration. In addition, educators receive upgraded access and support; and the opportunity to become a Nearpod Leader.
Andrea Tejedor is the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Technology, at Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District in New York. She is an educator, researcher and consultant who presents regionally and nationally on leadership in the educational technology arena.
Sheri McNair is the Library Media Specialist at the James I. O'Neill High School and the Head of Library Services for her district. In addition to teaching information literacy and technology integration at the high school, she is a Google Certified Educator Level 2 and serves on the district’s technology team and the inquiry facilitation team.
