Certified Online Instructors for Career and Technical Education15th Annual Sloan-C International Conference on Online Learning October 28-30, 2009Orlando, FL

Dorothy Cady, M.Ed.www.dorothycady.comwww.francistuttle.eduLen Bogner, Ed.D.www.lenbogner.comwww.uco.edu

Why Move Traditional Courses Online?Financial & space restrictionsCompetitive pressuresTechnological improvementsTechnology-savvy students

And of course…

LogisticsYou want us to train HOW MANY INSTRUCTORS?

What Challenges had to be Met?Availability and reliability of critical systems Qualified support personnel Instructor resistance Training that protects traditional instructors’ classroom

How was the first challenge met? Critical systems availability/reliability All-in-one LMS from a strong company (market share, history, finances) Tested/integrated with current systems Leadership’s commitment to the future Investment in technical support tools and personnel

How was the second challenge met? Qualified support personnel Significant staff-to-instructor ratio Intense training of all support staff Customer service feedback mechanism Anytime, anywhere policy Report to Chief Technology Officer

How was the third challenge met? Instructor resistance Let participation be optional Identify and reward early adopters Provide a variety of training choices Spotlight instructor successes Be there when instructors need help

How was the fourth challenge met? Training that Protects Traditional Instructors’ Classroom On-site training at non-class time Online training materials, FAQs, etc. One-on-one training by appointment Move traditional training to online (COI/CEI)

Why Train Faculty Instead of Hiring Online Adjuncts? Capture SME Knowledge Maximize ROI Capitalize on Reputation Support Professional Development Increase Availability

What do instructor’s fear about going online?Endangering traditional programToo much work, too little rewardDrop in student success ratesLoss of jobPeer opinion

How do you overcome instructor fears? Involve them in decisions and give them choices Provide strong, quick support Train them online to succeed at developing and teaching online Provide professional certification in exchange for their hard work

Certified Online/Elearning Instructor CertificationWhat is the COI/CEI? Four online courses that result in recognition of achieved, measurable knowledge related to online course development, management, and facilitation.

Four Online Courses for Professional Certification

Introduces students to creating online courses using Blackboard as the development and delivery tool. Designed to train participants in the design and development of online courses, as well as in the practical use of the Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS).COI1/CEI1Online Course Development

COI1/CEI1Online Course Development

COI2/CEI2Managing the Online ClassroomIntroduces students to best practices and techniques for successfully managing online courses. Covers how to manage student expectations, online communication, lesson presentation, and technical management of the online classroom.

COI2/CEI2Managing the Online Classroom

COI3/CEI3Online Course FacilitationIntroduces students to best practices for teaching/facilitating online courses following validated instructional practices and standards. Gives students the opportunity to implement best practices in an online course they create.

COI3/CEI3Online Course Facilitation

COI4/CEI4CapstoneCapstone participants design, develop and teach an online course following validated instructional practices and standards while demonstrating the application of best practices. Students also participate as online students and conduct peer-reviews of other students’ courses.

COI4/CEI4Capstone

Passing All Four Courses Doesn’t Guarantee CertificationCapstone courses created by each student must:Meet all quality control guidelines Reflect sufficient knowledge of online course design & development Pass review by COI/CEI Certification Committee

Challenges by the Numbers100 Full-time instructors 10 Instructional Assistants 8 Administrative Personnel 50 Offsite specialists All Adjunct who are interested All BIS Coordinators who ask

And the result…

An exhausted Elearning StaffAND…Well, what did you expect?

Successes by the Numbers 14 certification series completed 56 COI/CEI courses taught online 400+ participants 100% graduation rate 600+ online courses created by COI/CEI participants

Thank you for your attention!There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go. ~ Tennessee Williams ~_________________________________________________Learn more about Career Tech atwww.technoscholars.com

Questions?