The coursework and portfolio you will develop for Leading Edge Certification will be scored by your colleagues and, upon passing, you will be amongst the first to be nationally recognized as a leader in online learning. Your portfolio will be based upon the iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Teaching. 

Learning Objectives

Upon the successful completion of this class, you will be able to:

• Plan, design and incorporate strategies to encourage active learning, interaction, participation and collaboration in the online environment. (iNACOL C)
• Provide online leadership in a manner that promotes student success through regular feedback, prompt response and clear expectations. (iNACOL D)
• Model, guide and encourage legal, ethical, safe and healthy behavior related to technology use. (iNACOL E)
• Understand the online learning experience from the perspective of a student. (iNACOL F)
• Understand and be responsive to students with special needs in the online classroom. (iNACOL G)
• Demonstrate competencies in creating and implementing assessments in online learning environments. (iNACOL H)
• Develop and deliver assessments, projects, and assignments that meet standards-based learning goals and assesses learning progress by measuring student achievement of learning goals. (iNACOL I)
• Demonstrate effective strategies that enable both teacher and students to complete self-assessments. (iNACOL K)
• Collaborate with colleagues [through the use of web-based technologies]. (iNACOL L)
• Arrange media and content to help students and teachers transfer knowledge most effectively in the online environment. (iNACOL M)

Prerequisite Knowledge & Skills

Leading Edge Certification learners should possess the following prerequisite knowledge and skills:

• Independent learner
• Self disciplined
• Average to advanced computer skills
• Has computer with Internet access. Broadband Internet connection preferred

Course Requirements

Everything that you need for this course will be found online. Students do not have to purchase any materials and none will be sent. A word processor and presentation program, such as Microsoft Office or Apple iWorks is recommended but not required. A wide range of free alternatives such as the Open Office suite of programs, Zoho, Glide and ThinkFree web-based office suites are also acceptable. A Google account to access Google Docs and Calendar is required. We will be using Haiku as the Learning Management System for this training. It works well with both Mac & PC and does not have any conflicts with any of the main browsers.

Assessment and Rubric Process

The course is divided into seven units of study. In each unit, or module, students will learn the different concepts.

• Introduction/Overview
• Online versus Face-to-Face teaching
• The Online Teacher
• Setting the Stage
• Building Community
• Assessment
• Pedagogy

Each module has at least one assignment that students submit for grading. It is required that assignments are submitted according to the published deadlines. Students will have access to all deadlines in the Course Calendar. Most students do well on the their assignments because they know exactly what is expected of them and they can be corrected and resubmitted. The lead facilitator or other course facilitators will comment on your assignments and return them so they can improved upon. At the conclusion of the class, all assignments will be compiled and submitted in an ePortfolio. Participants have one year to submit their ePortfolio for Certification review.

University Credit

Three semester units of university credit will be available through Fresno Pacific for an additional fee of $65 per unit. Details about registering for university credit will be provided with the course syllabus during the week before the class begins.