Apple is launching a new professional learning program for educators, dubbed Apple Learning Coach, which will coach teachers on how to get the most out of Apple technologies in their classrooms.
“We know that professional learning opportunities — from educators, for educators — make all the difference in unlocking the potential in every student. Apple Learning Coach is designed to do just that, and we are thrilled to offer this new program today,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Education and Enterprise Marketing.
In a press release, Apple confirmed that Apple Learning Coach is a free professional learning program that trains instructional coaches, digital learning specialists, and other coaching educators to help teachers effectively use Apple technology in the classroom.
The program relies on a combination of self-paced lessons and virtual workshop sessions with Apple Professional Learning Specialists. Apple said that program participants will come away from the experience “with an actionable portfolio, a cohort of peers, and the opportunity to apply for continuing education credits.”
The new program has already received praise from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), which announced that Apple Learning Coach has earned a Seal of Alignment to its coaching standards. ISTE said that Apple Learning Coach “is well designed, highly professional in approach, easy to navigate,” and notes that the program “contributes to the pedagogically robust use of technology for teaching and learning,” and demonstrates it does “consciously, purposefully and meaningfully support best practices for digital age teaching and learning.”
Apple Learning Coach is accepting applications from educators in the United States through April 19.
