Virtual Teacher Certificate Program

Transcription

1 Education Virtual Teacher Certificate Program Preparing for blended and online instruction extension.uci.edu/vt

2 In today s competitive market, leaders are appointed based on credentials and experience. To stay ahead of the competition, advance your career and increase your earning potential, enroll in Improve Your Career Options with a Professional Certificate one of University of California, Irvine Extension s professional certificate programs. Convenient and affordable, UC Irvine Extension makes it easy to learn on your own time, in your own way. Courses are designed to ensure you gain mastery of a particular topic, and instructors are highly qualified leaders in their professions. UC Irvine Extension is the only continuing education provider in Orange County that represents the University of California. A certificate bearing the UC seal signifies a well-known, uncompromising standard of academic excellence.

3 Virtual Teacher Certificate Program Teaching online has evolved to not only include all state curriculum standards but also to address new pedagogical standards for online instruction. In addition to mastering synchronous and asynchronous technologies, virtual teachers must cultivate a personalized path to academic achievement for each student while maintaining a sense of support and community. Online instruction is the one area of education that is experiencing the need for qualified educators who have specific skills to step right into these positions. This certificate program addresses the skills and knowledge required to be prepared to successfully teach in virtual schools and in online and blended learning settings. The courses also provide core education in the tenets of online teaching. This certificate program will benefit K-12 teachers Community college faculty Continuing education or in-service facilitators Educators interested in educational technology Certificate Requirements A certificate is awarded upon completion of four required courses (a total of 15 units) with a grade of C or better in each course. We highly recommend that students take courses in the sequence listed on the course schedule. Students not pursuing the certificate program are welcome to take as many individual courses as they wish. All requirements must be completed within five (5) years after the student enrolls in his/her first course. Group Discounts Discounts are available for groups of three or more. Please call (949) or Lkadowak@uci.edu for more information. On-site Training UC Irvine Extension can provide individual courses or the entire Virtual Teacher certificate program at your school or district. Please call (949) or Lkadowak@uci.edu for further details. Program Benefits Effectively transition from teaching in the classroom to facilitating instruction in a fully online or blended environment Identify best practices for online instruction, student engagement and virtual community building Identify effective and appropriate use of asynchronous and synchronous technologies, social media and other emerging technologies Demonstrate competency in data analysis techniques used for individualizing instruction Develop valid measurements of student performance in the virtual or blended environment Explain the importance of tying personal performance to student performance in an online setting Apply proven time management techniques in order to effectively manage an online student caseload Free Quarterly Webinar A free education planning webinar is offered quarterly and is packed with information about the Virtual Teacher program, courses being offered in upcoming quarters, and relevant industry news and trends from experts in the virtual field. Visit extension.uci.edu/events to view the webinar schedule, enroll in an upcoming free event or register to view previous webinar recordings. For more information: Lisa Kadowaki Lkadowak@uci.edu (949)

4 Curriculum Advisory Committee Mary Keenan Asher, Vice President, Product Development, Retention Education Christina Giguiere, Academic Coordinator, Multiple Subject Credential Program, Department of Education, University of California, Irvine Jonathan Horowitz, Vice President, Online Education, JSerra Catholic High School Robert Letcher, Jr., Director of Instruction, K12, Inc. Allison Powell, Vice President, International Association for K12 Online Learning (inacol) Themistocles Sparangis, Chief Technology Director, Educational Technology, Los Angeles Unified School District Susan Stagner, Vice President, State Relations, Connections Academy Laurie Yen, Professional Development Specialist, Educational Technology, Los Angeles Unified School District Required Courses Foundations of Virtual Instruction EDUC X319 (3 units) This course provides teachers with the foundation of information needed to understand the movement of virtual instruction. It will introduce fundamental knowledge needed by teachers to succeed in a technologydependent, instructional environment. Students will explore the history of online learning and understand how a variety of delivery models are evolving in the K-14 environment, ranging from completely online to hybrid or blended classrooms. Students will discuss how the programs work and who they serve, addressing some basics about equity issues, access and school funding, as well as ethical and legal issues that support and challenge the models. Upon completion of the course, students will understand what it takes for a teacher to transition from teaching in the classroom to providing virtual instruction, and gain awareness of the types of synchronous and asynchronous technologies being used in these models. Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom EDUC X319.1 (4 units) Designed for teachers and education professionals in the K-14 industry, this course addresses the design and methodology used to adapt classroom instructional strategies to a virtual environment. Learn about the potential for individualized instruction enabled by technology. Apply best practices for instructing online and for engaging students, one of the most challenging skills when working at a distance. Develop skills in how For class schedule, visit extension.uci.edu/vt

5 to differentiate instruction for students remotely, using data and a variety of feedback from students, parents and performance to guide the process. By learning what works with adults and the distance learning industry as a whole, interpret theories and select the best research-based approaches and media to deliver instruction. Expand your toolbox of instructional strategies to include even more critical elements for success in a virtual setting: when and how to use internet resources, social media and other emerging technologies, how to effectively communicate with parents and students, and how to build a successful online community. Virtual Teacher Practicum EDUC X319.3 (4 units) This culminating course completes the virtual teacher certificate. Gain direct experience teaching online by applying knowledge and skills learned from previous courses to develop and deliver K-14 instruction virtually. Working collaboratively with peers and an advisor, the course will focus on combining your current experience with the awareness and tools gained through the program to prepare you for virtual teaching. Students must complete the pre-requisite Foundations of Virtual Instruction, Advanced Instructional Strategies, and Performance Assessment in the Virtual Classroom prior to enrolling in this course. Performance Assessment in the Virtual Classroom EDUC X319.2 (4 units) Demonstration of student performance is the make-orbreak of an education program. In addition to being the fundamental aspect of student achievement, it is a political hot topic in the world of K-14 virtual education, impacting the ability for programs to get off the ground or maintain funding. In this course, we will explore the myths and challenges of assessing performance virtually. We will spend time looking at what is a valid measurement of student outcomes in this environment and experience what it takes to build effective online assessments. You will learn how to monitor student learning, modify your instructional practices, and provide feedback to students and parents so that everyone works effectively within the inherent flexibility of a virtual program. Finally, experience how important it is to tie students performance to your own, by exploring the expectations of existing virtual school programs. Explore the types of competencies required, reward systems and performance review processes used by actual schools and programs around the country.

6 Virtual Teacher Certificate Program Preparing for blended and online instruction extension.uci.edu/vt Printed on Recycled Paper rev