You get a badge! You get a badge! You get a badge!

Remember when you were a kid and your teacher handed you back a spelling test or a math test with a sticker on it?  Do you remember how awesome that was?  I know I loved it even more if it was a scratch and sniff sticker! Well, in the world of instructional technology, we don't receive stickers for doing things, we receive badges...they're like virtual stickers! Annnndddd....I may be a bit obsessed with earning them!  There are numerous #edtech badges out there to be earned in different ways. Usually you earn them for completing a course or earning certification in that #edtech tool.  In other words, you have demonstrated mastery in the tool and are able to utilize it, model it and teach it.  I love earning them, as I'm definitely a life long learner.  I love being able to grown and learn and then be rewarded at the end with a "sticker!"

These are the badges that I am most proud of! I created this graphic on a Google Slide and took a screen shot so I could Tweet it out.  I then pinned it to my Twitter feed.  Pinning it keeps it at the top of my Twitter feed.  When I earn a new badge, I add it to the Google Slide, take a new screen shot, Tweet it, and pin it again! Easy peasy! I like keeping this pinned at the top of my Twitter feed so when people open my Twitter feed, they are able to see it and know what's in my professional toolbox! Hey, if you don't show off your own skills, who will? Right? 😀

Let's go over each of the badges that I've earned, row by row from left to right.

Instructional Technology-This badge represents the AMAZING department that I work in. I keep this one first because it reminds me of the awesome people that I work with every day.  I have learned so much from them and continue to do so each and every day! @apsinstructtech

21st Century Classroom-Educators in my district are able to earn this badge once they've shown mastery of the touch screen LED panel in their classroom.  Since my department trains on these panels, it was required that we earn the badge as well.  After all, how can we train on it, if we don't know it!

Alpha Squirrels-I am proud to say that I am an inaugural member of the Alpha Squirrels! This badge is earned by going through the application process and demonstrating usage of the Reflector App.  This app allows you to wireless reflect and stream your device.  It's a great solution to be able to your screen from anywhere in the classroom and prevents you from having to be wired in at the front of the class, connected to the board. Reflector has recently launched ClassHub in the past year that gives complete control of student devices, the ability to push content to student devices, lock student devices, and sends the teachers screen to students. @reflectorapp @squirrels #alphasquirrels http://alpha.airsquirrels.com/

Brainpop Certified Educator-This badge is earned after demonstrating knowledge in all things Brainpop.  There is so much more to this tool than just watching the videos and answering the quiz questions that follow.  There are mapping features, graphic organizers, and you can even make your own movies! Once you've gone through Brainpop training and demonstrated mastery, you apply to become a certified educator and earn your badge! @brainpop https://educators.brainpop.com/certified-brainpop-educator-program/

Plickers Ambassador-Plickers is a quick, easy and innovative way to formatively assess your students in real time without the need of devices.  You can either print (free: https://plickers.com/PlickersCards_2up.pdf)  or order ($20 on Amazon).  Plickers cards are each unique and engage students to think critically.  Once you pose a question to the class (ie. verbally, through a presentation, etc) students will hold their Plickers cards up in the direction of their answer (A, B, C, D).  You (the teacher) would then scan the class with your phone and it magically records the students answers. It takes seconds!  This badge is earned through requesting an invite (https://plickers.com/ambassadors) and being accepted. Benefits include swag, sets of Plickers cards, a badge, presentation materials, etc). See See Plickers in action: https://youtu.be/mI-eBHhEqzs

Surface Expert-A perk of becoming a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (see below) is that you can apply to become a Surface Expert. Through this program, you receive a Surface Book device and all of the materials that you need to share the Surface love with those that you interact with! If the chance arises, you able to test out different Microsoft products/software before they are released to the public! This is an amazing opportunity that you are able to reapply to every year and learn, interact, and engage first hand with Windows 10 and the latest and greatest that Microsoft has to offer. 

Certified MIE-This badge was the beginning of my LOVE of the Microsoft Educator Community and gave me the desire to keep on learning about all things Microsoft! I haven't looked back! I guess you could say this is the gateway drug to Microsoft in Education! Once you have earned 1,000 points in the Microsoft Educator Community, you will get a SURPRISE badge pop up stating that you have earned the distinction of becoming a Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator! This is the first step to becoming an MIE Expert or a Surface Expert. This shows that you are active in the community and that you've not only engaged with the Community, but that you've also takes some courses, watched some webinars, or some quick tip videos. This is the beginning of getting addicted to earning badges!  You've been warned! education.microsoft.com 

MIE Expert-After you become a Certified MIE (above), the next step is to apply to become an MIE Expert! This a HUGE honor! Through becoming a part of the MIE Expert family, you are demonstrating that you have a love of the Microsoft in Education tools, that you have a deep understanding of the tools and how to integrate them into classrooms.  The knowledge of these tools should be enough that you feel comfortable to train on them (leading to Trainer badges) and share their goodness with other educators. MIEEs are able to attend local, regional and national meet-ups as they occur.  In addition, you are able to apply to present at conferences and possibly have your conference fees taken care of by Microsoft!  There are so many perks to earning this honor and I would DEFINITELY say that the hard work is worth it!  

Google Certified Educator Level 1-This badge is awarded to you once you show proficiency in the Google for Education tools and how to use them effectively in the classroom.  These tools were originally called Google Apps for Education (GAFE) and are now make up what we call the G-Suite.  Once you have gone through the Level 1 training course and taken the Google Level 1 exam, you are awarded this badge.  Google provides all the the training to earn this badge on their website: https://edutrainingcenter.withgoogle.com/certification_level1 

Google Certified Educator Level 2-Level 2 takes it up a notch! Where level 1 shows proficiency, Level 2 shows your expertise in utilizing G-Suite in the classroom.  This is definitely a harder badge to earn but well worth it if you are seeking to either gain more G-Suite knowledge or work your way up to becoming a Google Certified Trainer. https://edutrainingcenter.withgoogle.com/certification_level2

Google Certified Trainer-Becoming a Google Trainer has opened my eyes up to all things Google for Education! Google is so much bigger that Gmail. Earning this badge indicates that you have mastered all of the information included in the G-Suite and that you are comfortable to train other educators on their usage.  In order to earn this badge, you must pass Level 1, Level 2, the Skills Assessment and create a video showing mastery of an innovative way to utilize a G-Suite feature in the classroom.  If you go on YouTube and search "Google Trainer Application" you will find a ton of these videos there!  https://edutrainingcenter.withgoogle.com/certification_trainer

Certified Flipgrid Educator-I spoke about Flipgrid in a previous post.  I've known about this tool for years but just got re-ignited about it and the many ways it can be incorporated into education, not only for students, but for teachers, administrators, and even central office staff.  To earn this badge, you must create a Flipgrid and receive at least 10 responses it.  You will then submit the link to that Flipgrid along with a passing score of 100% on the Flipgrid Assessment (you get to take it as many times as needed until you pass) for consideration of approval to become a Flipgrid Certified Educator!

Promethean Master Educator-I earned this badge by going through a 3 day training provided by Promethean.  It consisted of several modules that allowed me to go through different instructional design activities, integration techniques, ActivInspire features and benefits, presentation skills, etc. It was extremely hands on and each day was full of content.  This may very well be the first badge that I earned.  Our district has moved towards touch screen LED panels so sadly we don't have very many Promethean Boards around anymore.  

Certified Educator Digital Citizenship-Common Sense Media is the go to for Digital Citizenship in Education. Their website contains a scope and sequence that you can actually teach right from!  In order to earn this badge, there were a set of tasks that you needed to accomplish that included things like reteaching lessons, creating a profile, etc.  The requirements have since changed and are refreshed for the 2017-2018 school year.  Take a look at the new requirements to earn this badge at the following link:
https://www.commonsense.org/education/certification

Star Discovery Educator-This badge is earned through the Discovery Educator Network. You need to create a profile and then it will walk you through how to earn become a DEN Star. You should have a strong desire to work within the Discovery Educator Network and share the goodness on social media.  You would create a profile, complete the application and host an event in which tips and tricks are shared.  Some of the benefits are that you have access to DEN events, have a blog through the DEN and you even receive a bunch of swag!

http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2010/08/17/become-a-star-discovery-educator/

I've also earned a TON of badges through the Microsoft Educator Community...53 to be exact, and I'm still going!  Currently, Microsoft has 123 badges that are able to be earned within the Community by completing a course.  You can also earn badges by attending their Hack the Classroom event, for Tweeting, for being active on other social media platforms, and for building and creating lesson plans and posting them in the community. I'm almost 1/2 way there!  I love taking these courses because there's so much to learn!  I've even gone back and re-taken courses to revisit the information there! I love that Microsoft makes is so easy to get free professional development any time, any place, and in any space!

Sooooo, what are you waiting for??  Get on out there and earn some badges!  There are way more out there than just these!  I'd love to hear about the badges you earn!