6 Popular, No-Cost Education Technology Qualifications
In the ever-evolving world of education, technology plays a significant role in shaping the learning experience. To help educators stay ahead of the curve, various digital credential platforms and certification courses have emerged, offering free or freemium options to expand their skillset. Here's a roundup of some of the top free EdTech credentials available today.
First on our list is Sertifier, a user-friendly digital credential management tool. Ideal for educators running small workshops or student clubs, Sertifier offers easy certificate creation, a drag-and-drop interface, QR code credentialing, and basic analytics. Although the free version has limitations on monthly certificate volume, it's perfect for straightforward certificate issuance.
CertifyMe is another robust credential platform, favoured by universities and training providers. It enables bulk certificate issuance, branded certificates, blockchain verification, and LinkedIn integration. While the free version has limitations on advanced branding and volume, it's great for large-scale credential management in educational contexts.
OpenLearning is an AI-driven platform that supports educators in building and delivering courses with interactive elements. It offers certificates and micro-credentials, although its mostly paid plans may limit its appeal for some educators. However, a free trial or plan may be suitable for those seeking to explore its features.
Podia primarily caters to educators who want to create and sell courses. It offers basic free plans with multimedia course creation and marketing tools, supporting credential issuance within its platform.
For educators looking to upgrade their tech skills, platforms like edX and Coursera offer free audit modes for many courses related to AI, digital skills, and IT certifications. While verified certificates usually come at a cost, some courses offer financial aid to obtain free certificates.
Beyond digital credential platforms, there are several certification courses specifically designed for educators. One such programme is the Apple Teacher program, which focuses on building foundational skills using iPad and Mac devices and Apple applications within academic lessons.
Another popular certification is the Adobe Creative Educator (ACE) Level 1 training, which results in a digital badge and certificate. This training is designed to nurture creativity in students, making it an invaluable resource for educators.
The Book Creator Certified Author training provides instruction on the features of Book Creator for use in classrooms. Consisting of 18 short videos, this course offers a convenient and accessible way for educators to learn about this versatile tool.
EdPuzzle and the Screencastify Master Screencaster are two standout certification courses that focus on using video in education settings. Completion of these courses results in a certification of completion and a digital badge. The Screencastify Master Screencaster certification guides users to create videos for students and parents, support students in creating content, and connect with colleagues.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that EdPuzzle courses are available in Spanish as well, making them accessible to a wider audience.
In conclusion, these options together cover free credential management software, foundational edtech-related certifications, and course creation with certificates, all accessible at no cost or low cost to educators. By taking advantage of these resources, educators can enhance their digital skills, creativity, and overall teaching practice.
- Sertifier, a digital credential management tool, is ideal for educators running small workshops, offering easy certificate creation, QR code credentialing, and basic analytics.
- CertifyMe, favored by universities and training providers, provides bulk certificate issuance, branded certificates, blockchain verification, and LinkedIn integration.
- OpenLearning, an AI-driven platform, offers interactive course building and delivery, certificates, and micro-credentials for educators.
- Podia caters to educators who want to create and sell courses, offering basic free plans with multimedia course creation and marketing tools.
- For educators seeking to upgrade their tech skills, platforms like edX and Coursera offer auditing options for courses related to AI, digital skills, and IT certifications.
- The Apple Teacher program is a certification course focused on building skills using iPad and Mac devices, while the Adobe Creative Educator (ACE) Level 1 training nurtures creativity in students.
