The Cupertino tech giant expanded its free Apple Learning Coach program Wednesday to invite more tech instructors of various stripes across the U.S. to join. Once certified, they can show school teachers how to get the most out of Apple products to help their students.
Folks like tech coaches and digital learning specialists who want into the program can apply by November 16, Apple said.
Apple Learning Coach program opens up to more instructors to tutor school teachers
The new opportunity for more instructors to join comes with the launch of Apple called its “second U.S.-wide cohort” of the program.
“For more than four decades, Apple has worked alongside educators to help enable students to create, problem-solve and express themselves in new ways. We designed Apple Learning Coach to support educators using technology in the classroom,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Education and Enterprise Marketing.
“Apple Learning Coach is already making a real impact with educators and their students, helping to build a strong foundation for lifelong creativity and learning,” she continued.
Self-paced lessons and virtual workshops
The program offers those who would tutor teachers on Apple technology to learn. They do it mainly through self-paced lessons and virtual workshops with Apple Professional Learning Specialists, the company said.
Apple added that participants come away with a coaching portfolio, a group of peers and the opportunity to apply for continuing education credits from Lamar University. And, hopefully, they’ll find opportunities to get hands-on with Apple gear to enable teachers to make the most of it.
More than 1,600 Apple Learning Coaches so far
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Back in July Apple certified its largest group of new coaches so far, though it didn’t specify the exact number. Instead, it said currently more than 1,600 Apple Learning Coaches are working in 49 states, plus Washington, D.C.
“Technology helps students develop creativity and critical thinking, which are highly necessary for future career opportunities,” said Heidi Westrop, in Utah. She’s Wasatch County School District’s instructional coach and a certified Apple Learning Coach.
“It’s my job to empower teachers in our district to spark the unique creativity in all students. Apple Learning Coach gave me the tools and resources to work with teachers with different levels of technology experience to design, deliver and reflect on engaging learning experiences that can expand the classroom walls and celebrate every child’s unique talents,” she said.
Other teacher resources
The Apple Learning Coach program isn’t Apple’s only effort to provide resources to school teachers.
The Apple Education Community is a professional learning hub for educators who use Apple technology, the company said. It described the hub this way:
The Community is a professional learning hub designed for educators who use Apple technology, and includes the Learning Center with self-paced professional learning and the Forum, a collaborative space where educators can connect and share with one another.
And as part of the community, Apple released Everyone Can Create Projects, “a new online series of simple, timesaving tutorials and downloadable resources to inspire new ideas and bring creativity to any subject. Everyone Can Create is designed to empower educators to build their creative teaching skills and deliver engaging learning experiences on iPad,” the company said.
