PD Learning Network Provides PD Courses & Digital Badges for K12 Educators on New Microsoft Tools
Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) December 06, 2016 -- PD Learning Network (PDLN) is pleased to announce it is providing competency-based micro-credential badges for K-12 educators who master the use and application of the latest Microsoft tools.
“PDLN is excited to help train educators to use and apply these new and updated tools for classrooms,” noted Rich Dixon, VP of professional learning at PDLN. “The combination of Microsoft productivity and learning tools, and PDLN’s educator-oriented, rigorous and validated badge certification is a win-win for K-12 educators who get up-to-speed on Microsoft tools at their own pace and earn open badges that attest to their skills.”
“PDLN shares our passion for providing educators with the best tools available to help them focus on what’s important: teaching and learning,” said Anthony Salcito, worldwide vice president, education at Microsoft. “We believe that educators who take the PDLN courses will come away with more than a newfound knowledge of Microsoft tools; they have the potential to come up with new, innovative ways to teach students using today’s creative, adaptive technologies.”
Courses feature straightforward how-to video tutorials, articles, blogs, lesson planning and student project resources, infographics, case studies and more to encourage innovation in instruction and other aspects of teaching practice. Participants can earn open badges for Microsoft OneNote training and Microsoft Office365 In Depth. Micro-credential badges can be earned for more targeted, shorter courses for Microsoft Sway, Microsoft Windows 10, the 2016 versions of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Skype and Microsoft OneDrive.
Educators will be able to earn professional development units for their coursework on OneNote through an exclusive partnership between PDLN and University of the Pacific – the first of its kind between a university and a provider of competency-based professional development in K12.
PDLN’s credentialed reviewers assess course participants’ evidence of learning, in the form of Assessments of Knowledge (AOKs), against a rigorous evaluation rubric and award digital badges that can be shared with colleagues, potential employers, students, parents and more. Like all PDLN certified badge courses, the Microsoft courses include opportunities for educators to demonstrate competency while creating materials and experiences they can use in class with their own students.
About PD Learning Network
Professional Development Learning Network (PDLN) creates online EdTech professional development courses for K-12 educators. Badges and micro-badges are awarded based on competency, rather than seat time. PDLN’s team of experienced educators and EdTech trainers curate content and develop original video courses designed to meet the needs of 21st century educators. Assessments are created with the goal of immediate classroom application. A rigorous review system, credentialed reviewers, and optional university credit ensure the value of PDLN badges. Courses are aligned to international standards. @PDLNTeam
Sarah Stark, PD Learning Network, http://pdln.com, +1 805-618-1046, [email protected]
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