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Certificate in Integrating Technology into the Classroom

Certificate in Integrating Technology into the Classroom

 Each day, K-12 teachers are asked to learn new skills and brush up on existing ones to keep up with constant changes in the field of education. One of the most prevalent changes is the incorporation of technology into our classrooms. Around the nation, technology is increasingly integrated into the daily curriculum. This tech revolution makes perfect sense, considering that today’s younger generations have grown up in an online world connected through mobile devices.

 We know our students are proficient at using tech for entertainment and social purposes. So now is the perfect time to leverage their skills and put this technology to work in learning environments. Doing so can help students discover new ways of engaging with educational material, sharing content, and collaborating on creative activities from a distance. For students, and for teachers, too, it makes the learning process less traditional and more fun, boosts teamwork and confidence, and builds competence using apps and devices in constructive manners, instead of merely using them to pass the time.

 With so many reasons to start integrating tech into the classroom, the only problem some teachers face is not knowing where to begin. They see the need to upgrade classes and feel the desire to get started, or perhaps they’ve already begun using technology and now need to know how to use the latest application. However, not every school or district offers feasible solutions to implement such innovative makeovers. That’s where our Certificate in Integrating Technology into the Classroom comes to the rescue!

 

Benefits of the Certificate

 Offered through Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne, this 15-credit hour Certificate in Integrating Technology into the Classroom opens the doors to countless new approaches related to teaching with tech tools. The curriculum for every course is designed for busy working K-12 teachers who want the flexibility and convenience of distance learning, combined with rigorous content that earns graduate-level credit. From courses on software for better pedagogy to Google Applications, all classes are self-paced, written in user-friendly language, and accessible in an online format.

Like all certificates offered at Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne, the courses that are part of the Integrating Technology into the Classroom certificate offers graduate, non-degree semester credits designed for classroom teachers and school administrators. Our certificates are an acknowledgment of the extra effort you invested in improving your professional skills while enhancing the learning environments you have worked so hard to build. Earning a certificate from an accredited institution can potentially boost your professional career, by helping you meet qualifications for promotions, pay increases, or license renewal/recertification.*

Each of the thirteen 15-credit certificates features an extensive list of current, three-credit courses. Students choose five courses that they must complete to earn the certificate. Students are encouraged to complete as many certificates as they need. Once a course has been used to obtain a certificate, it may not be used again for an additional certificate.

Students can enroll in up to 15 credits per semester, or students may enroll in courses one at a time. Once enrolled, you have up to 12 months to complete a course. There is no deadline to meet for obtaining the certificate, which is awarded automatically (and at no extra cost) upon the successful completion of the required classes. See the Certificates page of our website for additional details.

*Note, the University of La Verne is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Students are advised to check with their school district or state department of education before enrolling in courses.

Certificate in Integrating Technology into the Classroom Course Options

Course options for the 15-creditCertificate in Integrating Technology in the Classroom are:

A Practical Introduction to Adobe Photoshop- Learn practical applications of Adobe Photoshop CS6 through hands-on projects, working with photo editing, graphics, type, and Adobe Camera Raw.

Blended Learning: Empowering Students for Success in the Digital Age- Discover how blended learning utilizes technology to create individualized approaches, extend the curriculum for deeper analysis, and engage student learning.

Creating a Google Apps Classroom- Empower your students with the 21st-century skills of collaboration, communication, creativity and innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving!

Microsoft Excel 2013- Explore the advanced, powerful built-in tools of Excel through practical projects applicable for use in the classroom.

Microsoft Excel 2016- Transform your classroom with practical hands-on projects that will encourage and excite your students to maximize the potential of Excel 2016.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2013- Learn how to use and teach the powerful presentation tools of the redesigned PowerPoint 2013!

Microsoft PowerPoint 2016- Dive deep into PowerPoint 2016 through step-by-step guidance on how to master classroom and professional presentations.

Microsoft Word 2013- Find a plethora of practical projects to apply in the classroom, from rubrics, class rosters, worksheets with QR codes and graphics, fill-in forms, labels, and more.

Microsoft Word 2016- Discover time-saving Word 2016 tricks to accelerate student learning and enhance your classroom, all using easy step-by-step instructions.

Technologies, Social Media, and Society: Current Topics- Uncover new ways to present current topics and discussions related to the promises and risks of information technology and media.

Tech Tools for the Classroom- Explore a toolkit of applications and sites to get started with integrating technology in a way tailored to the academic needs of your classes.

The Flipped Classroom- Learn the flipped classroom format that delivers your lectures to students online outside of the classroom, so they can return ready to engage and interact.

Understanding and Teaching the Rewired Brain- Discover how technology alters intelligence, attention span, and critical thinking, and learn how to adapt to keep students motivated to learn.

Unlocking the Mysteries of Code- Master the tools to guide your students as they learn coding through fun, easy-to-follow projects.

 

How to Register

All three-credit courses for the Certificate in Integrating Technology into the Classroom are completed entirely online, with some also available via an emailed PDF format. They are open to anyone to register at any time during a semester. After completion of each course, students receive graduate, non-degree semester credit on official transcripts from the University of La Verne, an accredited university in La Verne, California. Upon completion of the 15 required credits, students are eligible to receive their certificate at no additional cost beyond that of the courses.

 

Registration for classes is fast and straightforward and can be done online or over the phone. Courses are offered on a rolling basis during three standard semesters, and you can begin whenever you are ready! The registration dates are:

• Fall: September 1 - January 31
• Spring: February 1 - May 31
• Summer: June 1 - August 31

Integrating technology into our classrooms is not a distant dream of the future. It is a revolution occurring right in front of us, and as teachers, we owe it to our students and ourselves to keep up with the times. That does not mean we have to go it alone and figure things out for ourselves. Sign up for one or more of these online courses to get cracking on your Integrating Technology into the Classroom certificate today!