Practically speaking, at the end of the day, educators who obtain a certification have increased their knowledge base. Even if the certifying body filled the certification with vendor bias, the course still contains data, tools and perspectives that can only add to the database of information informing future decisions. Once you are Google certified, for instance, you know at least what Google tools may or may not meet your needs. And if you are certified by both Google and Apple, you will have an even greater scope of the landscape, which will allow you to make more informed decisions based on diverse perspectives.

Another practical benefit: The bigger players, such as Google, Apple and Microsoft, can afford a high level of research and development. Why not take advantage of their time, effort and resources by learning what they have learned? Again, the value of any certification is a broadened knowledge base.

From a philosophical standpoint, how can we, as educators, frown in any way on encouraging educators to learn? A teacher who has made the effort to go, learn and walk away with additional knowledge shows initiative and desire. That's why I would always choose an educator who took the initiative to earn a third-party certification over one who has not.

Professional learning is vital in any form we can get it. Ideally, our schools and districts would keep us up to date on every tool and advancement that might help us do our jobs better, but we all know that this is not the reality. The technology field advances so quickly that it is almost imperative for educators to constantly seek out learning opportunities just to stay abreast. Just last year, I saw a cartoon depicting two older doctors. One doctor said to the other, "What is this internet thing?" Would you want that doctor to treat your illness? And would you want a teacher with obsolete information teaching your students?

We have all participated in less-than-perfect sessions, trainings and certifications. And we always walk away with more than we had when we walked in, even if it is nothing more than what not to do. As with any certification, you must view third-party certifications in its frame. Having a highly recognized, generic, national certification does not necessarily mean that the bearer of that certification is highly competent, because it is up to the learner to apply the certification in ways that are effective. But I have found that the educators who take the time, effort and initiative to increase their knowledge are often just that type of learner.

Koh Herlong is a Ph.D. student in the Educational Technology program at Walden University. She holds a bachelor's in education and a master's in education with a technology specialization.