CCU Launches Online Learning Continuing Ed Certificate
CCU Online's Designing for Online Learning provides relevant resources and instruction for post-pandemic learning environments
Dedicated to providing a cost-effective and accessible solution that enables Colorado secondary education teachers to meet state requirements, Colorado Christian University (CCU) is expanding its continuing education programs to include a certificate focused on developing high-quality online learning environments. The continuing education certificate, Designing for Online Learning, consists of five modules that allow participants to take the course in a self-paced and self-guided manner.
"These modules were created with the learner in mind, allowing teachers who already have busy schedules to work through the materials when and where it's convenient for them," said Dr. Wendy Elliott Wendover, dean of the School of Education Professions at CCU. "While these courses do help fulfill licensure renewal requirements, they go beyond what's required and offer teachers thoughtful and transformative online content that will be beneficial in the middle or high school classroom."
With the shift to online learning in response to the coronavirus pandemic, there is a substantial need for creating engaging online learning experiences. CCU's Designing for Online Learning stands in the gap to provide relevant resources in a digital era.
"The pandemic triggered an upheaval of the education system in the United States. Teachers who had worked solely in face-to-face environments were suddenly thrust into an online teaching format for which they were unprepared and untrained," said course developer Dr. John Murray. "While the pandemic has waned, online teaching and learning in the K-12 setting is likely here to stay, so there remains a need to help educators understand how to effectively design engaging, clear, and student-centered online learning experiences."
CCU professors and course developers are uniquely equipped to create and implement the new courses, building upon nearly two decades of experience in designing online curriculum.
Available through CCU Online, the Designing for Online Learning course is an affordable CEU option priced at $300 total. Upon completion of all five course modules, students will receive a certificate of completion, not academic credit. Session topics include:
- Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning
- Wayfinding and Cognitive Load in Designing Online Instruction
- Setting Learning Targets and Designing Assessments for Online Instruction
- Selecting Content and Determining How to Present It
- Visual Elements to Support Online Teaching and Learning
To learn more about the Designing for Online Learning continuing education certificate, visit Designing for Online Learning.