Empower Your Teaching: Online Certification & Technology Integration for Florida Educators

The road to becoming an educator in Florida isn’t complicated. Not when you understand what the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) requires of you. But just as important, you should know what steps to take to meet all FLDOE certification requirements. Among the most flexible pathways for educators to get certified is online certification.

With online certification, trainees learn virtually. So they are not restrained by their physical location. Florida Teachers of Tomorrow’s online certification program, for example, offers personalized learning strategies. This option is more than just a straightforward route toward becoming certified. It’s a program that allows learners to study at their own pace through a schedule that works for the learner.

Interested in pursuing this course? Read along for the list of things to do to earn online teacher certification in Florida.

Online Certification in Florida: The Process

Below are the steps one must follow for online certification:

1. Fill in the FLDOE CG-10 Application Form.

The CG-10 is accessible at FLDOE’s Online Licensing Service Site. Verify and confirm through an affidavit that the information provided is true and complete. Then pay the application fee indicated on the application page. The department accepts VISA and MasterCard debit and credit cards.

2. Receive an Official Statement of Eligibility (SOE) that says you are eligible. 

The FLDOE issues the SOE after evaluating the application.

3. Send the Eligible SOE to your chosen online certification program. 

Some programs offer free enrollment. 

4. Once accepted, start your online training.

Cover the coursework at your pace.

5. Complete your internship.

During this period, you’ll work as a full-time teacher. Your responsibilities will include classroom management, where you lead your own classroom.

6. Become certified.

Complete the program and become certified. You can now work as an educator in any Florida school.

Enrich Your Teaching Career With Technology Integration

Education technology is an integral part of the modern educator’s working life. Beyond helping teachers with organizing lesson plans, technology also:

• Supports personalized learning
• Supports self-paced learning
• Boosts student engagement
• Enhances cognitivism by providing visual, auditory, and experiential ways of learning
• Introduces creative ways for educators to deliver lessons
• Introduces different ways for students to show mastery of what they’ve learned

As a prospective teacher, learning about the latest education technologies early in your training journey can help you craft a workable plan to integrate technology into your career. Moreover, this knowledge will be invaluable during your internship as you practice meaningful technology integration in a classroom setting.

How can educators make education technology part of their interaction with students? Here are some ideas to help teachers get started:

• Help students to use technology to set and track personal learning goals
• Use digital tools to collaborate, share and seek feedback, and prove subject mastery
• Encourage students to use technology to show their competence in a given topic
• Allow students to compare current technologies and explore emerging technologies

Final Thoughts

Edtech holds immense benefits for students and educators. Both parties can use technology to communicate, collaborate, explore, and prove competence in a given area. Embracing technology integration while training for online teacher certification can propel one’s career when they finally become certified.