EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Online Teaching Certification/Endorsement
Proposal:
The Department of Instructional Technology in the Bagwell College of Education is proposing to offer an
Online Teaching Certification/Endorsement program. The purpose of the program is to prepare candidates with
the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become effective online teacher. Over the course of three semesters,
candidates in the Online Teaching Certification/Endorsement program complete three (3) rigorous online
courses (9 credit hours), two (2) field experiences, two (2) online practicum experiences, and an electronic
portfolio. The initial plan is for the program to partner with the Georgia Department of Education’s Georgia
Virtual School (GVS) so that students can complete one of the online practicum experiences with GVS, but
other virtual programs will also be a placement option. The course work, field experiences, and online
practicum experiences are all aligned to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission’s standards (PSC Rule
505-2-.162) for online learning.
1.0 Content Knowledge, Skills, and Concepts for Instructional Technology
1.1 The program shall insure that the candidate possesses knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts
related to technology (as described in the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers) as
well as competency in technology specific to an online learning environment.
2.0 Online Teaching and Learning Methodology, Management, Knowledge, Skills, & Dispositions
2.1 The program shall prepare candidates to plan, design, and incorporate strategies to encourage active
learning, interaction, participation and collaboration in the online environment.
2.2 The program shall prepare candidates to proactively lead an online classroom in a manner that enhances
the likelihood of student success, through regular feedback, prompt responses to student questions and
concerns, and clear expectations.
2.3 The program shall prepare candidates to model and encourage legal, ethical, safe and healthy behavior in
an online environment.
2.4 The program shall enable the candidate to fully experience online learning from the perspective of an
online student.
2.5 The program shall prepare candidates to develop and deliver assessments, projects, and assignments which
meet learning goals and assess learning progress by measuring student achievement of learning goals.
2.6 The program shall prepare candidates to be responsive to special education and cultural differences among
students in the online classroom, and to encourage intercultural interaction and inclusive learning.
3.0 Effective Online Assessment of Teachers, Students and Course Content
3.1 The program shall require demonstrated competence in creating and implementing assessments in online
learning environments in ways that assure validity and reliability of instruments and procedures.
3.2 The program shall require demonstration of effective strategies enabling students’ to complete self and
peer assessments as they fulfill course requirements.
3.3 The program shall require demonstrated competence in using data and findings from assessment to modify
instructional methods and guide student learning.
Program of Study:
Fully Online
SEMESTER I
ITEC 7480 Introduction to Online Learning (3)
SEMESTER II
ITEC 7481 Designing & Developing Online Learning (3)
SEMESTER III
ITEC 7482 Facilitating Online Learning (3)
Total: 9 Credit Hours
3 courses - 3 semesters - 1 year
Course Descriptions:
ITEC 7480 Introduction to Online Learning (3)
This course explores principles for effective online learning and provides an introduction to key terms, issues,
policies, challenges, and emerging trends in the field. Topics include published standards for quality online
teaching and course design, accessibility to online courses, online assessment principles, accommodations for
students with disabilities, strategies for supporting cultural and linguistic diversity, internet safety, student
privacy and copyright. Candidates learn pedagogical strategies for use in an online learning environment. This
course is a content pedagogy course in the candidate’s certification field.
ITEC 7481 Designing & Developing Online Learning (3)
In this course, candidates use research-based elements and instructional design principles in online education to
develop a high-quality online learning experience for students. Candidates learn how to assess student learning
needs, organize content into learning modules, create authentic and meaningful assessments, and engage
learners in varied technologically-based activities to achieve learning outcomes. Candidates create this online
course in a widely-used learning management system. As a practicum experience, candidates are enrolled in
another online course currently being taught by an experienced online teacher. Candidates discuss how these
experienced teachers apply principles discussed in class and how they organize, manage, and facilitate online
teaching and learning.
ITEC 7482 Facilitating Online Learning (3)
This course addresses expectations, challenges, and issues specific to facilitating online learning. Topics
include motivating students, creating a sense of community, monitoring progress, providing feedback,
differentiating instruction, encouraging interactivity, collaboration and dialogue, and preventing plagiarism and
other forms of cheating. Under the supervision of their professor, candidates complete and reflect upon an
extended practicum experience as an online teacher.