Certificate in Teaching in the Online Classroom
Certificate in Teaching in the Online Classroom
Now is the time to shift from a crisis teaching mindset to a thriving teaching mindset as schools become more comfortable and prepared to teach students in an online environment. Now that there is better support available to educators and administrators, it is more important than ever to dive into the multitude of resources available on the topics of distance learning, hybrid learning, and blended learning. Establishing suitable environments, procedures, and curriculum in these types of learning environments no longer need to be a complicated process. However, careful consideration of several factors still needs to be addressed to understand how to find the best approach to a successful experience for yourself and your students.
The first criteria to consider should be the structure of the online learning environment based on your school and student’s needs. Will you be adopting a completely online curriculum? Will you instead choose a blended learning method or a hybrid environment where students attend class face-to-face a few days a week? Perhaps you don’t yet know the answer to this question, but you still want to be prepared and ready in all learning environments.
Whatever method is thrust upon you, you can rely on a few truths to keep from being overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin. The first step is to take the time to affirm your skills and abilities as an effective teacher. You can teach with purpose and effectiveness, no matter the learning environment of your class. Second, you can look at teaching in an online classroom as an opportunity to develop new tools and hone in on technology that will shape your student’s learning in ways that may not have been possible without the presence of online teaching.
As you know, distance learning can take many forms. Your online classroom does not have to be a mirror image or replication of your face-to-face classroom to be successful. In fact, if you can dive into this process with this mindset, it will be much easier to be open to the vast possibilities that await you.
Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne has created a timely certificate that will help guide you through the necessary technology, resources, and support to successfully teach your students in an online classroom. Some of the relevant topics covered include creating an online classroom management plan, synchronous and asynchronous instructional approaches, blended learning models, Google Classroom and Applications, and developing highly engaging tasks without the need for busywork. Teaching in the Online Classroom Certificate will give you the necessary content in easy-to-understand language to make this your most successful year!
Benefits of the Certificate Teaching in the Online Classroom
Offered through Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne, Teaching in the Online Classroom is a 15-credit certificate that can be tailored to any educator or school administrator's requirements based on the courses they choose to complete. The curriculum of each course within this certificate is written by practiced experts, and these courses are relevant to the unique needs of busy working K-12 teachers and administrators. Through the successful completion of these courses, students will experience the flexibility and convenience of independent study courses, combined with rigorous content that counts for graduate credit from an accredited institution.
All classes are self-paced and accessible in either an online or via emailed PDF format. All books are mailed to students regardless of the format selected. Like all Certificates offered by Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne,Teaching in the Online Classroom Certificate offers graduate, non-degree semester credits primarily 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 online, blended, or hybrid learning environments you have worked so hard to build. Earning a certificate from an accredited institution could boost your professional career by helping you meet qualifications for promotions, pay increases, or license renewal/recertification. *
Each 15-credit certificate program features an extensive list of current, three-credit and one-credit courses. We encourage students to finish as many certificates as they need; however, any given course may only count towards one specific certificate.
Students can enroll in up to 15 credits per semester, or students may enroll in courses one at a time. Once enrolled, students have up to one full year to complete coursework. 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 15-semester credits.
*Note, the University of La Verne is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Certificates offered by Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne are not designed to fulfill any specific district or state requirements. Students are advised to check with their school district or state department before enrolling in a course.
Teaching in the Online Classroom Certificate Course Options
Courses part of the 15-semester credit certificate Teaching in the Online Classroom are:
Creating a Google Apps Classroom. This course will provide the digital tools necessary to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. Using these tools, students will develop the 21st-century skills of collaboration, communication, creativity and innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Step-by-step instructions guide students through many Google Apps that help to cultivate an engaging learning experience.
Blended Learning: Empowering Students for Success in the Digital Age. Blended learning utilizing technology for effective teaching through brick-and-mortar and online-based instruction. Students will explore the difference between technology for learning and technology for teaching to understand how best to integrate these tools for classroom engagement.
eLearning Made Easier: Creating Dynamic Learning Opportunities. In this course, educators are introduced to a tool that will make eLearning easier when planning and organizing digital lessons. Whether you need to transition your classroom to eLearning or you want to infuse blended learning into your instruction, this project-based course will allow you to maximize your students’ involvement and success without sacrificing content or quality.
Tech Tools for the Classroom. Through this course, you will have an entryway into the successful integration of technology into your classroom. You will create a toolkit of applications to get you started in technology integration specific to your students’ academic needs.
Understanding and Teaching the Rewired Brain. This course examines how technology can change the way students’ brains function for educators to adapt their instructions to keep students motivated to learn.
Transform Your Online Instruction with Google Classroom: Ready, Set, Learn! Google Classroom is an easy to use program that boasts a wealth of tools that you and your students will love to use! This course provides easy to follow instructions to help you start creating a new Google Classroom or fine-tune your existing class. The projects are practical and relevant to all grades.
Practical Strategies for Teaching Online. In this timely course, you will receive essential hands-on tools and evidence-based strategies to equip you to deliver an effective distance learning environment for your students. Additional topics include instructional approaches through synchronous and asynchronous learning, reduced busywork, prioritizing curriculum that engages students, and much more.
How to Register
All three-credit and one-credit courses that are part of the Certificate in Teaching in the Online Classroom can be completed online or via an emailed PDF format. They are open to anyone to register at any time during each semester. After completing 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 will receive their certificate at no additional cost beyond the cost of the course. No application is required as the certificate is automatically mailed to the student’s home address.
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 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
Now is the time to develop skills and embrace technology that will allow you to teach your students effectively in an online, blended, or hybrid learning environment. We look forward to helping you make your planned success a reality!