What is an Apple Certified Instructor?

Apple Teacher is a free, self-paced professional learning program created by Apple to support educators in using iPad and Mac effectively for teaching and learning.

By completing short tutorials and passing interactive quizzes, educators build core skills and earn digital badges that demonstrate their knowledge and creativity with Apple tools.

Foundations

Earn badges for:

• Pages
• Keynote
• Numbers
• GarageBand
• iMovie
• Device-specific foundations

Earn both iPad and iMac badges to receive your official Apple Teacher recognition

Benefits of Becoming an Apple Teacher

• Build confidence using iPad or Mac for instruction
• Access ready-to-use creative lesson ideas
• Join a global community of innovative educators
• Add a recognized credential to your teaching portfolio
• Optional: Expand your learning with Apple Teacher Portfolio or Swift Playgrounds

Learn more by visiting the Apple Learning Center

Eagle Spark Workshop Instructor Track

This track is for faculty who intend to become certified Eagle Spark Instructors and lead hands-on creative technology workshops for the community.

By completing this track, you’ll not only expand your own creative skills, but also join a mission-driven team that brings digital tools to underserved communities through podcasting, coding, video storytelling, and more.

Benefits & Responsibilities

• Eligible for a stipend (pending available funds)
  • 8 hours for attending the Train-the-Trainer
  • 5 hours for each 4-hour workshop you lead (4 hours teaching + 1 hour setup)
• Lead at least one workshop within 3 months of training (time frame extensions available)
• May lead additional workshops after your first, with compensation
• Receive an HCC-issued iPad for ongoing use
• Join a supportive, creative community of instructors

Please confirm with your department chair that leading Eagle Spark workshops aligns with your approved workload hours.

Next Steps to Become an Instructor:

1. Complete the Apple Teacher certification via the Apple Learning Center
   (use your personal email so the certification stays with you)
2. Email your Apple Teacher certificate to: hcc.eaglespark@hccs.edu
3. We’ll grant you access to the Eagle Spark workshop schedule to begin signing up for sessions

Professional Development Track

This track is for faculty and staff who are joining Eagle Spark training to build personal skills and explore how Apple technology can be used to support teaching and learning—without the expectation to lead public workshops.

What’s Included:

• No stipend is provided
• No additional steps or certifications required
• You’re not expected to lead an Eagle Spark session
• You may check out iPads or Apple tools to use in your classroom or role

How You Can Apply This Training:

• Integrate Pages, Keynote, GarageBand, iMovie, and Swift into your lesson plans
• Boost student creativity through media-rich projects
• Use iPads for formative assessments, journaling, or presentations
• Build confidence in your own digital skills
• Inspire your peers to explore new tech tools

Apple Accessibility Features for Inclusive Learning

Eagle Spark for VAST Train-the-Trainer | iPad & Mac

These built-in Apple features help support students with varying learning, physical, and sensory needs. You can find them in:

• iPad: Settings → Accessibility 
• iMac / MacBook: System Settings → Accessibility

For Students with Visual Impairments

• VoiceOver – A screen reader that narrates everything on screen. Students can navigate using touch and gestures.
• Speak Screen / Speak Selection – Reads selected text or an entire page aloud to support comprehension.
• Magnifier – Turns the camera into a digital magnifying glass, useful for printed text or objects.
• Zoom – Enlarges content on the display for better visibility.
• Display & Text Size – Adjusts contrast, color filters, and font size for comfort.
• Reduce Motion – Limits animations to reduce sensory overstimulation.

For Neurodivergent Students (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc.)

• Guided Access – Locks the device into one app to reduce distractions.
• Focus Mode – Filters notifications and content based on the activity (e.g., “Class Time”).
• Background Sounds – Plays ambient noise such as ocean, rain, or white noise to promote focus.
• Speak Screen & Typing Feedback – Reads text aloud and provides verbal feedback during typing.
• Color Filters – Eases visual stress or dyslexia-related strain.
• Shortcuts / Siri Commands – Automates repetitive tasks and supports executive functioning.

For Students with Hearing Impairments

• Sound Recognition – Detects sounds like alarms or doorbells and provides on-screen alerts.
• Mono Audio & Balance Control – Routes sound to one ear or adjusts audio balance between ears.
• Subtitles & Captioning – Enables closed captions and sound descriptions in videos.
• LED Flash Alerts – Uses the camera flash to signal notifications visually.
• Live Captions (macOS / iPadOS 17+) – Provides real-time text captions for FaceTime and media.

For Students with Motor or Physical Disabilities

• AssistiveTouch – Adds an on-screen control panel for taps, gestures, and shortcuts.
• Switch Control – Allows navigation using adaptive switches or external devices.
• Voice Control – Lets users operate the device entirely with spoken commands.
• Pointer Control (Mac) – Adjusts mouse and trackpad sensitivity for easier use.
• Customizable Keyboard Settings (Mac) – Includes sticky keys, slow keys, and alternative input methods.

How Faculty Can Use These Tools

• Create a “Calm iPad” profile using Guided Access and Background Sounds for focus.
• Use Pages + Speak Screen for reading and writing support.
• Demonstrate VoiceOver to teach empathy and inclusion.
• Allow GarageBand or Voice Memos as an alternative for written reflections.
• Enable Dictation for students who struggle with typing or fine motor skills.

Explore More:
Apple’s full Accessibility Resource Hub – https://www.apple.com/accessibility/