TrustEd Apps Certified Leader (TACL) Program

Our members requested that 1EdTech develop a training program to further their knowledge about the effective implementation of 1EdTech open standards. This understanding assists members with the following: advocacy in their institutions, the development of their digital ecosystems, sharing and leadership among the edtech community, and innovation with new technologies to improve opportunities for teaching and learning.

Anyone from a Contributing or Affiliate member organization of 1EdTech is encouraged to participate and get TACL certified. Institutional members include K-12 district, statewide, and higher education organizational and educational leaders. Edtech and curriculum supplier product and technology leaders may also participate in the program.

Our intention through the TACL program is to address the needs of all educational leaders, as 1EdTech open standards involve multiple aspects related to teaching and learning. The modules are to be approachable for leaders in academics and technology. We encourage member organizations to send leaders from both academic and technology departments who will benefit from a holistic view of your digital ecosystem through the lens of an open, trusted, interoperable framework.

Certification expires three years from the date of issue. To remain certified, one must complete the re-certification module and assessment to be current on the changes in educational technology and 1EdTech’s open standards.

Module workshops are offered regularly at 1EdTech events to provide ample time for participants to complete all five modules. The work for each module is due ten (10) weeks after the corresponding workshop.

Each module takes approximately ten (10) hours to complete; modules are divided into the following three parts:

• Part I: Synchronous Learning - You start each module by participating in an in-person or remote workshop to learn new information and collaborate with peers. Approximate time to complete is two (2) hours.
• Part II: Asynchronous Learning - Each module has an online learning component with lessons, activities, and resources to augment the content and skills acquired in the synchronous workshop. You’ll get access to the online module before the workshop. Approximate time to complete is three (3) hours.
• Part III: Assessments - Use what you’ve learned in the workshop and online lessons for each module to complete an asynchronous individual project related to your digital ecosystem. You will also complete a remote multiple-choice assessment for each module and need to earn a satisfactory score of 80% or higher. Approximate time to complete is five (5) hours.

One of 1EdTech's strategic imperatives is facilitating Personalized Learner Journeys—giving learners and faculty a foundation for choice and personalization. Keeping with this imperative, by providing multiple learning experiences, we can help all participants in our certification program experience success and relate what they have learned to their specific situations.

It depends! While we offer all five modules at the annual Learning Impact event, we do not recommend taking all five at once unless you have the time and capacity to complete the online components (about 10 hours per module) for all five simultaneously. Participants have successfully done so in the past, but based on participant feedback, we suggest taking two modules at a time. We offer TACL workshops throughout the calendar year, so you have the opportunity to complete all five within the 18-month window.

The modules are based on 1EdTech's collaboration initiatives, which apply to both K-12 and HED learning environments. During each module, participants will discuss and review use cases of implementations, and they may choose between K-12 and HED examples. Likewise, participants can design their individual projects based on their relevant experiences.

Yes, participants receive a badge for successfully completing each individual module, but to receive the TACL certification, you must successfully complete all five modules. The modules can be completed in any order.

Upon the successful completion of each module, leaders will be able to do the following:

• Make informed procurement decisions for digital products
• Implement their digital resources and tools more effectively
• Use their digital ecosystem better to meet their institutional learning strategies and users’ needs
• Communicate which standards resolve particular instructional or access problems
• Provide educational reasons for each interoperability standard

At the end of each module, participants will be able to do the following based on examples, non-examples, activities, and use cases:

• Develop an interoperable digital ecosystem to support opportunities for teaching and learning.
• Describe each 1EdTech standard and its function in the digital ecosystem. 
• Understand why and when each 1EdTech standard is essential to consider for implementation.
• Discern when using a particular 1EdTech standard or a combination of standards is beneficial based on use cases.
• Communicate about the use and implementation of 1EdTech standards with stakeholders and suppliers.
• Procure platforms, applications, and resources that are certified to 1EdTech standards.

There are no fees for Contributing Member institutions (districts, states, higher education) to participate in the TACL certification program.

Affiliate-level institutions and suppliers must pay an in-person workshop fee for each module.

See the table above for more details.

There are no refunds or extensions for participants who do not complete the program within the specified 18-month window.

Additionally, all participants are responsible for separate event registration, travel, and expenses related to the event where the TACL workshop takes place. Refunds on TACL workshops at 1EdTech events are subject to the event registration policies.