This structured program is designed to assist faculty to become more proficient in the use of Blackboard and better prepared for online teaching. It emphasizes the need to create your unique presence in an online course to become a better facilitator. For more information, download the Teaching Online Certificate Program brochure.

Certificate Completion

To receive a certificate of completion, the faculty will complete the following:

1. Track 1: 4 online lectures and a project
2. Track 2: 4 online lectures and a project
3. A presentation given to the UCCS community
4. Capstone Project (a course that is ready to teach online) that adheres to the Qulaity Matters Rubric

This program can becompleted in the semester that you begin the program with an average of 35 hours to complete the certificate requirements.

Program Offerings

To complete the certificate program, faculty must complete Tracks 1 and 2 (each track includes a self-paced module and three online lectures), a capstone project, and a campus presentation. Check brochure for all lecture date and times.

Track 1: Getting Started with Best Practices

• Lecture - Squencing Course Content in a Meaningful Way
• Lecture - Establishing Instructor Prescence in Your Online Course
• Lecture - Building Assignments and Assessments that Engage Students
• Lecture - Using Rubrics for Grading Assignments and Participation

Track 2: Best Practices in Teaching Online

• Lecture - Creating and Facilitating Teams and Problem-based Learning
• Lecture - Promoting Student Learning in Reflective Thinking and Collaborative Learning
• Lecture - Integrating Technology into Online Teaching
• Capstone Project and Presentation

Program Outcomes

This program is aligned with Quality Matters Rubrics. At the completion of this program, Faculty will:

1. Learn the necessary skills and knowledge required to create an online course using Blackboard (Track 1);
2. Attain a solid pedagogical foundation for designing an engaging online course (Track 1);
3. Acquire a thorough understanding of good teaching and management practices in an online learning environment (Track 1 and 2);
4. Demonstrate the ability to engage students in online learning (Track 1 and 2);
5. Experience the online environment from the student perspective (Track 1 and 2);
6. Demonstrate the ability to create a personalized online presence and online course components (Track 1 and 2);
7. Demonstrate the ability to participate in and facilitate an online discussion (Track 1 and 2);
8. Demonstrate the ability to design an assignment that can be used in an online course (Track 2).
9. Demonstrate the ability to incorporate technology and innovations that supports student learning (Track 2)

Prerequisite

To register, faculty must have a working knowledge of the computer and Blackboard. The following session will meet the Blackboard prerequisite:

• Blackboard Basics: See brochure for meeting dates and times
  • Meeting URL: uccs.adobeconnect.com/bbtrain/
    • Select "Enter as a Guest" and enter your name (this name will be what everyone attending will see you as).

In order to be successful in this online class, you must have access to the necessary hardware and software. Your computer must meet the minimum basic requirements to participate and teach a course that uses the Blackboard learning management system.

Program Tracks and Course Structure

This certificate program consist of 2 tracks and combines online lessons in the methods, approaches, and practical techniques for teaching online. As you design a course for totally online delivery, you will complete online modules, attend live lectures, and complete an online project. This program will model what you may eventually use in your own online courses.

This program will use Adobe Connect for the 50-minute online lectures and Blackboard to deliver the asynchronous components. All capstone projects should be delivered through Blackboard. Faculty can expect to take about 7 - 10
hours to complete each track.

Faculty who are interested in the certificate are welcome to attend any of the 7 - 10 lectures without completeing the capstone project.

To enroll, and for more information, contact the Faculty Resource Center at frc@uccs.edu.