Cisco Virtual Classroom Instruction Certification At-A-Glance The proven ability to facilitate collaboration and interaction in the virtual classroom Learning in the 21st Century Job training and education continue to move online, where skillful use of collaboration and conferencing tools allows virtual classrooms to match, or even exceed, the outcomes of traditional classrooms. Virtual classrooms follow the growth of online social interaction and the availability of collaboration and conferencing platforms. Even with tight budgets, organizations can maintain their training programs by shifting face-to-face learning to online and virtual delivery. Cisco is aligned to these trends, with a core focus on delivering solutions to connect anyone, anywhere, at any time, and to transform the way we live, play, work, and learn. Role of a Skilled Instructor It’s clear that the learning experience is undergoing a significant transformation that enables instructors to embrace new ways of interacting with learners. Done well, virtual training is more engaging and powerful than a webinar or online presentation. The key to an effective session is the skill and preparation of the person leading the session. With practice, virtual instructors develop tools and techniques that make virtual teaching as rewarding as in-person instruction, allowing them to build rapport with students and effectively reach their learning objectives. Benefits of the Virtual Classroom Live virtual instruction offers particular benefits for learners: • • • • Collaboration tools allow learners to participate in the session and share their experience. Interaction increases learner comprehension and satisfaction. Convenience attracts more learners, increasing profitability. Excellent instructors in a variety of disciplines share certain common abilities and can learn from each other’s specific experiences. Specialized training is a solid investment whether you teach technical or nontechnical material, work with students in an academic setting, or focus on job training or career development. Your Role Benefits Corporate Trainers Gain knowledge and certification to more effectively conduct live virtual sessions. Live Virtual Instructors Build your competitive advantage by becoming Cisco certified. Classroom Teachers Expand your existing skill set to include virtual instruction. Teaching College Graduates Prepare for the future of K-to-12 education by becoming skilled in virtual learning today. Cisco WebEx Training Center Users Take your knowledge of virtual training environments to the next level. Experience of Cisco WebEx University It provides the quality of an instructor-led session without travel and facility expenses. And for the organizations providing learning: Benefits of Training The most experienced and effective virtual instructors understand: • • • • How to teach visually and develop material specifically for a virtual environment How to use collaboration tools and activities to engage learners in relevant interactions How to interact with learners before, during, and after the session to motivate and guide learning How to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual training for continual improvement Since 2002, Cisco WebExUniversity has delivered more than Cisco 40,000 virtual training sessions to nontechnical learners of different backgrounds using the WebEx conferencing and collaboration environment. Along the way, Cisco WebEx University trainers have developed a robust set of techniques and best practices to optimize the virtual learning experience. UNIVERSITY The skills and techniques are not platform dependent, but they can be applied to any collaboration platform or type by instructors who are either new to virtual classrooms or want to learn new skills to deliver more engaging and powerful sessions. © 2011 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco, the Cisco logo, and Cisco Systems are registered trademarks or trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document or Website are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. (0805R) This document is Cisco Public Information. Cisco Virtual Classroom Instruction Certification At-A-Glance The proven ability to facilitate collaboration and interaction in the virtual classroom Introducing Cisco Virtual Classroom Instruction Specialist Certification Cisco created Virtual Classroom Instruction certification to identify and recognize instructors who have mastered the special techniques and best practices of the virtual classroom. Achieving certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence in virtual instruction and can expand your career options. Certification as a Virtual Classroom Instruction Specialist is achieved by passing two exams, which cover a published list of certification expectations available on the Cisco Learning Network (Virtual Classroom exam topics): • • A multiple-choice exam (60 questions, 75 minutes) is taken at one of the Cisco authorized worldwide testing centers and covers knowledge of how to prepare and manage a virtual classroom environment and choose collaboration tools that effectively support instructional goals. Passing the multiple-choice exam is required before proceeding to the practical exam. A practical demonstration exam (20- to 27-minute recording) must also be submitted, showing the candidate leading a virtual classroom session using key presentation, management, and collaboration skills. The demonstration is graded using a published list of criteria. Certification is not based on any specific conferencing and collaboration platform, but on how instructors use the platform tools to facilitate interaction and increase learner comprehension. Recommended Training Training is not required before attempting Cisco certification; however, Cisco authorized training provides the best possible preparation for passing certification exams. Leading Virtual Classroom Instruction (LVCI) is a live virtual training course, delivered by Cisco WebEx University trainers, that covers the techniques and skills of effective virtual classroom instructors. LVCI consists of 17½ hours of live virtual instruction and 6 hours of participant presentations, delivered over5 consecutive days. LVCI goes beyond tool usage and teaches how to improve learner outcomes through more effective classroom collaboration. Working knowledge of conferencing and collaboration tools, like those available in Cisco WebEx, is assumed. Prior to enrolling, students are encouraged to obtain an understanding of features such as communicating with participants, initiating and managing a session, polling, and whiteboarding. WebEx University offers instructorled or free self-paced modules on Cisco WebEx services. Explore the WebEx course listings. Find Out More For more information on the Cisco Virtual Classroom Instruction Specialist certification, or to view a video on demand, visit www.cisco.com/go/virtualclassroom. For more information on Cisco training and certifications, visit www.cisco.com/go/learningnetwork. More information on the Cisco Virtual Classroom Instruction Specialist certification is available online at the Cisco Learning Network. © 2011 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco, the Cisco logo, and Cisco Systems are registered trademarks or trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document or Website are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. (0805R) This document is Cisco Public Information. C45-366098-00 02/11