The document discusses the benefits of corporate certifications for educators, including personalized professional development and increased collaboration within educational communities. It presents findings from a pilot study that highlight how certifications can enhance trust, access to technology, and ongoing professional development opportunities. The authors recommend further research with a larger sample size and deeper community analysis to better understand the impact of corporate certifications on educators.

1. Benefits of Certifications of
Teachers by Corporations
Valeri Anne Paul, Ed.D
Cynthia Sistek-Chandler, Ed.D
Associate Professor, National University

2. Introduction
Certifications by Corporations
● Apple Inc., Google, Microsoft Educator
Network, Discovery Education, Leading
Edge Certification (CUE and iNacol) and &
others
● Proof of competency (badges)

3. Certifications
Common Attributes
❏ Complete evaluations/exams
❏ Demonstrate innovative
teaching
❏ Advise the corporation
❏ “Evangelizes”
❏ Becomes Expert
❏ Makes recommendations for
the field

4. One Certification
To become a Google Certified trainer, one needs
to pass six exams of Google Apps with a
high score and undergo a certain selection criteria
Qualifications
https://www.google.co.in/work/apps/education/resources/training-programs.html

5. Research Question
Do corporate certifications benefit
educators?

6. Study Description
• This study will use a sampling of certified
educators as part the research.
• The pilot study uses an instrument that is being
tested for validity and reliability.
• Pilot Survey
• 10 questions

7. Study Data
Type of Experience
8% Elementary
42% Secondary
17% District
21% Adult Ed/Higher Ed
6% County Office
6% Other
Respondents
Female 28%
Male 51%
Did not disclose 21%
Years of Experience
10+ Years 78%
6-10 Years 13%
3 - 5 Years 9%
1 - 2 Years 2%

8. Benefits of Certifications
 Personalizes professional learning
 Recognition by colleagues
 Creates a community of educators
 Microcredentialing
 Promotion of skills through social media

9. Findings
Certification & Role Change
● Earned Trust
● Trained others on new innovations
● Access to new technologies and implement into the classroom
● Increased access to companies (Apple & Google)
● Learned a lot
● Promotion

10. Findings
Leadership and Professional Development
96% Provided Ongoing PD Opportunities
4% Did not train others

11. Responses
It has sparked me to go
beyond what I am used
to and always seek to
grow and improve.
● Enrichment
● Professional Community
Collaboration
● Confidence
● Respect
● Risk taking
● Badge
…[T]his transformation is the worldwide
network of ADEs and GCTs that have
enriched my life personally and
professionally.

12. Recommendations and Next Steps
● More participation, larger sample size
● Deeper examination of the communities
● Identify benefits to corporations
● Present to corporations
● Further data analysis

13. References
Apple Distinguished Educator. (2014). Retrieved October 21, 2014, from
http://www.apple.com/education/apple-distinguished-educator/
Gamrat, C., H., Z., & Dudek J, P. K. (2014). Personalized workplace learning: An exploratory study on
digital badging within a teacher professional development program. - British Journal of Educational
Technology Y1 - 2014/11//, 45(6 M3 - Case Study), 1136-1148. doi: 10.1111/bjet.12200
Koehler, M. J., Mishra, P., & Cain, W. (2013). What Is Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge
(TPACK)? Journal of Education, 193(3), 13-19.
Kumar, R. (1999). Research methodology : a step-by-step guide for beginners. London ; Thousand
Oaks, Calif.: Sage.
Microsoft Educator Network (2014) https://www.educatornetwork.com/Sites/Educators/Expert
Retrieved March 1, 2015

14. References
Matherson, L. H., Wilson, E. K., & Wright, V. H. (2014). Need TPACK? Embrace Sustained
Professional Development. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 81(1), 45-52.
Rogers, E. M. (2003) Diffusion of innovations (4th ed.). New York: Free Press.
Sandholtz, J. H. Ringstaff, C., & Dwyer, D. C. (1991). The relationship between technological
innovation and collegial interaction. In M. A. C Fallon (Ed.). American Educational Research
Association (pp. 1-20). Cupertino, CA: APPLE Classrooms of Tomorrow, Apple Computer, Inc.
Sandholtz, J. H., Ringstaff, C., & Dwyer, D. C. (1997). Teaching with technology: Creating student-
centered classrooms. New York: Teachers College Press.

15. Add to Our Study
Please participate
bit.ly/certteach

16. Questions?
Valeri Anne Paul, Ed.D
paul@pfmassoc.com
Cynthia Sistek-Chandler, Ed.D
cchandler@nu.edu