@ONE Online Teaching Certification FAQ
How long will it take me to complete the program?
The program may be completed in as little as one year. However, you are encouraged to enroll in courses at your own pace and consider your workload and personal obligations while crafting your individualized learning plan.
What is the time commitment for each class?
Each of the five core online classes is 4-weeks long and requires approximately 10-hours of your time each week.
What do I get for completing this program?
You will receive a Certificate from the @One Program that you have successfully completed the program’s curriculum that has been designed to fulfill iNACOL’s National Standards for Quality Online Teaching.
Download the iNACOL standards here (PDF).
Why does this program exist?
@One is focused on supporting the professional development needs of 21st century educators, in an effort to increase student retention, success and relevant learning experiences. Online learning enrollments continue to outpace the speed at which institutions can offer training to support their faculty.
I have many years of teaching experience. Why should I consider taking the time to be trained to teach online?
Effective online teaching and learning requires a unique pedagogy, effective course design and facilitation skills, as well as an understanding of how to integrate a variety of web-based technologies to support the needs of a diverse group of learners. This skill set is unique from those traditionally employed in a classroom environment.
Who should enroll in the program?
The program is designed for new and experienced online California Community College instructors. However, enrollment in the program is open to any new or experienced educator from any institutional level interested in learning how to teach online effectively.
What are the pre-requisites for enrolling in the program?
Prior to taking the Certification Courses, you must be able:
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to resolve your own technology and Internet access issues
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to use basic office software products (word processing, electronic spread sheet, presentation software, etc.)
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to navigate the Internet
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to effectively use email (i.e. attach files, etc)
- to download files
Are there any face-to-face requirements for the program?
No, not at this time
How much does it cost to complete the entire the program?
The cost for completing the program varies depending on your institutional affiliation. Also, course and teaching practicum fees are subject to change due to budgetary constraints. Currently, the program cost for faculty and staff of California state supported schools, colleges, or universities is $500 ($55 for each of the five required courses and $225 for the Online Teaching Practicum).
How do I enroll?
Enrolling is easy. Follow the three steps below. Please visit the Certification webpage for current enrollment deadlines:
1. Fill out the online Enrollment Form available at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CertApp
2. Complete the online orientation web seminar. If you enroll before the advertised enrollment deadline, you will receive an email invitation to participate in the online orientation. If you enroll after the deadline, you will have the option to watch an archived orientation.
3. Register for your first course. Only those who enroll before the advertised enrollment deadline will receive priority enrollment. You will receive an email with your priority enrollment link shortly after submitting your Enrollment Form.
Why should I enroll in the program? Can’t I just take the classes without being enrolled in the program?
Enrolling in the program during an advertised enrollment period will provide you with priority registration for the required @One courses. Also, participation in the required Online Teaching Practicum is restricted to enrolled program participants.
What happens if I enroll after the advertised enrollment deadline? Is that permitted?
Yes, it is permitted but you will not receive priority enrollment for the upcoming term or have the option to attend a live orientation seminar to have your questions answered.
Which classes are required to complete the certification?
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Take first:
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Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning
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Then take these in any order:
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Course Management Training
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Creating Accessible Online Classes
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Building Online Community with Social Media
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Designing Effective Online Assessments (Available Spring 2011)
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Online Teaching Practicum
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Do I take the classes in any particular order?
Yes. You are required to enroll in Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning first. For the most effectively learning experience, complete this course before enrolling in any of the other courses. If that is not possible for you, concurrent enrollment in IOTL and other courses is acceptable.
What happens if I’ve already taken some of the required @One courses? Do I need to take them again?
That depends on the classes and when you took them. If you successfully completed any of the required @One courses during or after Fall 2007 (with the exception of Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning -- see next question), you will not be required to retake them. However, you will still be expected to include in your ePortfolio artifacts and evidence demonstrating proficiency and competency of the iNACOL standards that are addressed in the course or courses that you have taken previously.
I’ve already taken @One’s Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning course. Do I need to retake it?
If you completed it prior to July 2010, yes, you need to retake the class. The course has been entirely redesigned to align with the iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Teaching. The new course sets out the pedagogical approach for the Certification program and also establishes the mechanics of creating and populating your ePortfolio. If you have completed IOTL previously, you can take the new course at no charge (@One will waive the registration fee). To request a fee waiver for IOTL, please contact us via email.
If I’m already teaching online with a course management system, do I need to complete the course management system class requirement?
To opt out of the course management system requirement, you will be required to provide one of the following; however, you will be expected to include in your ePortfolio artifacts and evidence demonstrating proficiency and competency for the iNACOL standards that are addressed in the @One CMS course.
a. Evidence of successful completion of training on a CMS during or after fall 2007
b. Evidence of at least one year of successful use of a CMS in the delivery of online instruction during or after fall 2007, preferably more recently and consistently over the time period.
What is the Online Teaching Practicum?
The Online Teaching Practicum is your opportunity to review and polish your ePortfolio. Your experience during the practicum will be guided by a designated @One Mentor Facilitator who will review the contents of your ePortfolio against the iNACOL standards, provide guided feedback and recommendations for improvement, establish a timeline for your revisions, and schedule your final ePortfolio Presentation. Your role will involve completing CCC Confer moderation training and ensure your portfolio demonstrates proficiency of the iNACOL standards. The Practicum culminates with a live, online presentation in CCC Confer, which is recorded for archiving, in which you showcase your ePortfolio to the @One staff, your @One Online Mentor and your invited guests.
What is an ePortfolio?
An ePortfolio is like an online resume; however, it is geared towards collecting and sharing digital artifacts (audio, video, links to webpages, syllabus, etc.). You will contribute artifacts to your ePortfolio as you complete each core course and will be encouraged to reflect on other contributions that demonstrate your teaching effectiveness. When you’re done with the program, you will be encouraged to export your ePortfolio so you may continue to share it with prospective employers and colleagues.
Is training provided on how to use an ePortfolio?
You will be provided with your ePortfolio in the Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning course and you will contribute to it throughout that and future classes.
Why do you record the final ePortfolio Presentations?
The archives of the presentations serve two purposes. One, you will have a copy to take with you and share it as you wish as you continue your online teaching career. Secondly, @One retains a copy of the archive to provide evidence of the demand and effectiveness of our program.
Do I maintain my intellectual property rights over the content in my ePortfolio and the recording of my final presentation?
Each participant in the @One Certification Program will create an ePortfolio and present this portfolio using CCC Confer that will result in an archive of the presentation. Both the ePortfolio and Archive are necessary documentation of the individual’s successful completion of the Certification Program, and as such will be kept and maintained by @One. The ownership of the content in the portfolio and archive will reside with the individual participant. However, the right to use the content, ePortfolio and archive, will be shared between the individual and @One. @One will not use the content, ePortfolio or archive, without the express written permission of the individual, and will only use said items for educational, training, and exemplary purposes.
Which course management system (CMS) is used to teach the classes?
Moodle is used for all online classes, except the Blackboard CMS Training.
How can I share information about the program with my colleagues?
Please download the information brochure which is designed for easy printing or share the overview video, both of which are available on our Certification webpage.
This program is tailored to individual faculty members, do you have a certification option that fulfills unique needs of an entire institution or district?
Yes, we do! Please email us to consult with us about developing a customized certification plan for you!
