# data[].attributes.headline
I have both an iPad at home that I am comfortable using. I would love to have them to be able to use with the students like I used to in my old school. -VA

# data[].attributes.subject
I have both an iPad at home that I am comfortable using. I would love to have them to be able to use with the students like I used to in my old school. -VA

# data[].attributes.headline
I do not have a personal iPad but am familiar with using them. I have/use and iPhone daily  for basic use and internet features comfortably. 

# data[].attributes.subject
I do not have a personal iPad but am familiar with using them. I have/use and iPhone daily  for basic use and internet features comfortably. 

# data[].attributes.headline
I have an iPad at home and love my iPhone. The kids love the iPads at school but it is difficult to add to the apps already on them because they are older. 

# data[].attributes.subject
I have an iPad at home and love my iPhone. The kids love the iPads at school but it is difficult to add to the apps already on them because they are older. 

# data[].attributes.headline
I have an iPad that I use for personal use.  I am comfortable with the apps and reading.  However, I have not used it for educational purposes other than searching.  -SB

# data[].attributes.subject
I have an iPad that I use for personal use.  I am comfortable with the apps and reading.  However, I have not used it for educational purposes other than searching.  -SB

# data[].attributes.headline
I love Apple products and enjoy using my personal iPad at home. The iPads we have in the classroom are dated and have old educational apps on them. I would love to learn about the best apps for kindergarten. -JG 

# data[].attributes.subject
I love Apple products and enjoy using my personal iPad at home. The iPads we have in the classroom are dated and have old educational apps on them. I would love to learn about the best apps for kindergarten. -JG 

# data[].attributes.headline
I do not own an iPad but have an iPhone and can use it comfortably. Sometimes when I tutor, I use the student's iPad to study/do homework.

# data[].attributes.subject
I do not own an iPad but have an iPhone and can use it comfortably. Sometimes when I tutor, I use the student's iPad to study/do homework.

# data[].attributes.headline
Apple teacher is a great way to learn how to use an iPad for education. Click and read the article below.

# data[].attributes.subject
Apple teacher is a great way to learn how to use an iPad for education. Click and read the article below.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What does it mean to take ownership of your professional development? In a previous post, I included tips and strategies to help educators grow their knowledge base. Self-paced learning activities provide a way for teachers to work through a certification or badging program at a tempo that works with their schedule and interests.

Badging Programs Aren't New

Professional development sites like SimpleK12 let teachers earn badges for watching a certain number of webinars or engaging in their communities. Both Google and Nearpod have certified teacher programs. Google Certified Educator exams let teachers demonstrate their proficiency in using G Suite tools. Google has resources online that teachers can access, and a handful of organizations offer professional development to help educators pass these exams. The Nearpod certification asks teachers to demonstrate how they've used interactive tools in their classroom by submitting lessons they've created.

Programs like these help educators understand not just the nuts and bolts of a particular tool, but how to use it to reach their instructional goals and meet the needs of students. They provide an opportunity for teachers to develop and demonstrate a proficiency in using a tool that can energize teaching and learning in their classrooms.

Apple Enters the Badging Game

In addition to these programs, Apple Education introduced the Apple Teacher program in 2016. It gives teachers a way to explore iOS and Mac tools and integrate them into their instruction to create deeper learning experiences. The program uses badges to help teachers monitor which tools they've mastered-they can do that within a short time frame or decide to focus on just a few tools during the school year and revisit the program over the summer.

The Apple Teacher program is a terrific tool for educators looking to strengthen their understanding of educational technology. It has a lot of resources that teachers can explore at their own pace. Videos and animations show the tools in action, which makes it easy for teachers to understand how to use them on their own devices. The program is perfect for teachers setting their own professional development goals or simply looking to dive deeper into favorite tools. The resources Apple has created also let teachers learn how to use each tool even if it isn't covered in their school's traditional professional development workshops.

How It Works

The Apple Teacher program has a learning community and online portal you can access with your Apple ID (iTunes account). Once you're signed in, you can pick a track to focus on-iPad or Mac. In order to become an Apple Teacher, you must earn badges in eight categories, such as Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie, GarageBand, Fostering Creativity, and Enhancing Productivity. Users take a short quiz in each category to earn their badges. Once you've earned all of the eight badges for either iPad or Mac, you become an Apple Teacher.

Four Reasons to Check Out the Apple Teacher Program

1. Find starter guides: The team at Apple put together an iBook for each category in the Apple Teacher program. These starter guides provide an overview of each individual tool with plenty of interactive content. They are perfect resources for teachers who are either brand new to a tool or just need a quick refresher.

2. Proceed at your own pace: Badging programs like Apple Teacher let users take each quiz when they're ready. You might set a goal for yourself of earning one new badge a month or start off taking quizzes for the tools you use most frequently.

3. Gather ideas for your classroom: Spending time in the starter guides and exploring each of these tools is a great way to gather ideas for your classroom. For example, GarageBand isn't a tool I use all the time, but after spending more time with it to earn my GarageBand badge I started thinking about different ways it could be used during a reading lesson.

4. Join a community of educators: As an educator on Twitter, I love using hashtags to follow along with others. The #AppleTeacher hashtag is a popular way for educators to share their experiences with the program.

The Apple Teacher, Google Educator, and Nearpod certification programs are geared toward educators in all grade levels and subject areas. They are all free for teachers and are great ways to focus your professional development for the school year. As you dive into Apple Teacher or a similar certification or badging program, make sure to share your journey by using a hashtag like #AppleTeacher or by simply sending a message to a colleague who can benefit from your newfound expertise.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Using Apple Teacher for Professional Development | Edutopia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What does it mean to take ownership of your professional development? In a previous post, I included tips and strategies to help educators grow their knowledge base. Self-paced learning activities provide a way for teachers to work through a certification or badging program at a tempo that works with their schedule and interests.

# data[].attributes.headline
I use an ipad at home. I would love to use it at school for small group work, be it remediation or enrichment.

# data[].attributes.subject
I use an ipad at home. I would love to use it at school for small group work, be it remediation or enrichment.

# data[].attributes.headline
I have an old version of ipad so it is a little familiar. However, I have used very few educational apps as it is an old version and many of the new apps won't run on it.

# data[].attributes.subject
I have an old version of ipad so it is a little familiar. However, I have used very few educational apps as it is an old version and many of the new apps won't run on it.

# data[].attributes.headline
I do not own or have access at school to an iPad. Know very little about it.  I look forward to learning how to use it. 

# data[].attributes.subject
I do not own or have access at school to an iPad. Know very little about it.  I look forward to learning how to use it. 

# data[].attributes.headline
I use an ipad at school to review and reinforce vocabulary. There are many educational apps to learn and practice languages

# data[].attributes.subject
I use an ipad at school to review and reinforce vocabulary. There are many educational apps to learn and practice languages

# data[].attributes.headline
I use an ipad at home with my children to reinforce phonics lessons from school. They use Smarty Ants and I station. I would love to have that in my classroom but we have the interactive board and play games. My students also go on the computer and use sites such as starfall and abcya.com.

# data[].attributes.subject
I use an ipad at home with my children to reinforce phonics lessons from school. They use Smarty Ants and I station. I would love to have that in my classroom but we have the interactive board and play games. My students also go on the computer and use sites such as starfall and abcya.com.

# data[].attributes.headline
I use my ipad  during my tutoring time and also at school with the interactive whiteboard. It is a great tool to reinforce concepts in a fun way. There are many educational apps that I can integrate into my lessons.

# data[].attributes.subject
I use my ipad  during my tutoring time and also at school with the interactive whiteboard. It is a great tool to reinforce concepts in a fun way. There are many educational apps that I can integrate into my lessons.

# data[].attributes.headline
I use my own personal iPad for home use only.  It's my quiet time activity.  :-)

# data[].attributes.subject
I use my own personal iPad for home use only.  It's my quiet time activity.  :-)

# data[].attributes.body
Yes, we do use iPads in our class to reinforce skills being taught throughout the week.  They are an independent center. The children will take turns on the iPads making sure everyone gets the same amount of time on them.

# data[].attributes.body
I want to hear from you. How much do you know about Apple products and educational apps? Click on the + sign at the bottom right and start typing anywhere on this  board.  Everyone in our Sagemont community has access to this Padlet. Can't wait to hear from you:)

# data[].attributes.headline
IPAD- I have an iPhone and an iPad. I am fairly comfortable using the devices for personal use, but want to learn more about how to use it in the classroom. 

# data[].attributes.subject
IPAD- I have an iPhone and an iPad. I am fairly comfortable using the devices for personal use, but want to learn more about how to use it in the classroom. 

# data[].attributes.body
-Pilar

# data[].attributes.headline
Click on the link below. It explains what you can do with a Padlet. Think about it as a corkboard of ideas.

# data[].attributes.subject
Click on the link below. It explains what you can do with a Padlet. Think about it as a corkboard of ideas.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Five Ways to Use Padlet in Class | Education World

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Classroom uses for this free, online “virtual wall” are endless, but these ideas will get you started.

# data[].attributes.headline
Are there any educational apps you use with students in the classroom?

# data[].attributes.subject
Are there any educational apps you use with students in the classroom?

# data[].attributes.body
I use an iPad for home use. I would love to use iPads in my classroom to teach a design lesson.