UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A certificate for instructors about teaching online at Penn State has been selected for inclusion in a new University program aimed at recognizing faculty members’ professional growth.
The Foundations for Online Teaching certificate, which is offered by Penn State World Campus Online Faculty Development, is one of the nine initial professional development programs from across the University to be included in the Provost Endorsement Program pilot. Through the endorsement program, the University aims to make opportunities like these more easily discoverable and accessible to faculty at Penn State’s campuses and colleges. The completion of recognized opportunities in the Provost Endorsement Program will appear on faculty members’ transcripts for reference during the promotion and tenure evaluations.
The Foundations for Online Teaching certificate is one of the credentials available through the comprehensive catalog of courses and programs from World Campus Online Faculty Development.
“Online learning has been an important part of how Penn State provides an education to its students for the more than 25 years, and that is why it is such a priority for us to fully prepare instructors to engage students online,” said Matt Dingo, interim director of World Campus Online Faculty Development. “The Foundations for Online Teaching certificate explores foundational topics instructors can expect to encounter when teaching students online, such as being present and visible online, managing the course space, and supporting our diverse student population. We are pleased that the University’s administration is recognizing the value and quality of the certificate by including it in the Provost Endorsement Program.”
The Foundations for Online Teaching certificate consists of four courses, two led by an instructor and two that are self-guided that will be available throughout 2024. Faculty, staff and graduate students can take the courses and complete the certificate, though the Provost Endorsement Program is only open to full-time, part-time and adjunct faculty members.
Those who take the course will gain experience in various topics of teaching students in an online environment, such as supporting a diverse population of students, establishing an instructor presence online, managing Canvas and utilizing its features, and accommodations for online learners.
Professional development opportunities being recognized in the Provost Endorsement Program are categorized into three domain areas that align with the criteria by which faculty members are evaluated during the annual review and promotion processes. The domains are teaching and outreach; research, scholarship and creative accomplishment; and leadership and service.
The Foundations for Online Teaching Certificate is in the teaching and outreach domain. The courses, in the World Campus Faculty Development Online Learning (OL) series, are:
- OL 1200: Student Support and Advocacy in Online Learning
- OL 2000: Essentials of Online Teaching
- OL 2150: Canvas Hands On
- OL 3000: Supporting Accommodations for Online Learners
- OL 1200 and OL 3000 are self-guided courses with open enrollment. OL 2000 and OL 2150 are instructor-led courses.
The Foundations for Online Teaching certificate was first developed in 2012 and since then, 700 participants have completed it.
Faculty members who completed the certificate prior to the launch of the Provost Endorsement Program can request its inclusion on their transcript by applying on the Online Faculty Development Provost Endorsement page.
Visit the World Campus Faculty Development website to learn about the courses available to help faculty analyze and improve their teaching and course design.