From FerrisConnect KnowledgeBase

Contents 1 Level 1 - basic prerequisites 1.1 File/folder Management 1.2 Internet skills 1.3 Office™ Applications 1.4 Support Services 1.5 Asynchronous Communication 2 Level 2 - learning management system (LMS) skills and knowledge for web-enhanced courses 2.1 LMS Knowledge 2.2 Web Graphics 2.3 File Compression 2.4 Design Assistance (page composition, layout, appropriate file types, graphics and multimedia) 2.5 Search & Query 2.6 File size, download time and connection speeds 3 Level 3 - pedagogical knowledge and Learning Management System (LMS) skills for blended-delivery courses 3.1 LMS Knowledge 3.2 Copyright and fair use 3.3 Group processes 3.4 Assessment 4 Level 4 - pedagogical knowledge and Learning Management System (LMS) skills for fully online courses 4.1 LMS Knowledge 4.2 Use of feedback 4.3 Organization & Instructional Design 4.4 Learner-centered focus 4.5 Learner readiness 5 Level 5 - demonstrated mastery of Online Course Design and Delivery

Level 1 - basic prerequisites

File/folder Management

1) Create folder within computer file system

2) Move files between folders

3) Copy files to other location within file system

4) Rename file

5) Recognize common files extensions (.doc, .htm, .xls, .ppt, .pdf, .txt, .csv)

6) Search/locate files within computer file system

Internet skills

1) Attach file to an email message, detach file from an email message

2) Identify common browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, etc.)

3) Copy a website address and paste into a document or an e-mail message

Office™ Applications

(Need to revisit tutorials/materials to use Office 2007 applications)

1) Ability to use MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel

Word

1. Use styles to create headings
2. Format text and paragraphs
3. Create hyperlink to URL
4. Create hyperlink to place in document
5. Import images
6. Create table of contents
7. Save in alternate file format (html, txt, rtf, pdf, swf)

PowerPoint

1. Change background and color scheme
2. Format text
3. Import images and multimedia
4. Add notes
5. Print handouts
6. Save in alternate file format (html, txt, rtf, pdf, swf)

Excel

1. Insert rows and columns
2. Apply formulas to cells, or range of cells
3. Format text
4. Apply properties to cells, rows, columns
5. Save as comma or tab delimited files
6. Import/open comma or tab delimited files
7. Set print area

2) Save Office™ documents to web page format (htm, swf) Competency included in #1

Support Services

1) Know what student support services are available, how and where to access them

1. Technology Assistance Center (Website, phone number)
2. FLITE Library (Website, phone)
3. Other online resources: WebCT, MyFSU, etc

Asynchronous Communication

1) Regularly use e-mail to communicate

2) Utilize a directory to locate e-mail addresses

Keeping mind that Level 1 of the certification process is considered to be minimum qualifications necessary to work within the online environment. It includes no CMS specific requirements. An inventory is used for the applicant to perform a self-assessment, helping the applicant to identify any areas where they may need training before moving on to Level 2 where they will need to apply these competencies in creating and delivering online instruction. An assessment will be provided for those who prefer to use it, rather than submitting other evidence of understanding. Teaching Online in FerrisConnect will include many (if not all) of the Level 1 and 2 competencies. Successful completion of the training will meet all requirements of Level 2 Certification and allow the graduate access to FerrisConnect for the purposes of enhanced online course delivery .

Level 2 - learning management system (LMS) skills and knowledge for web-enhanced courses

LMS Knowledge

1) Grade Book

2) Mail tool

3) Single Page tool/Add file/create file

4) Organizer Page/Folder tool

5) URL/Web Link tool

6) Calendar tool

7) Course maintenance

Web Graphics

1) Recognize web graphic file extensions (.jpg, .gif, .png)

2) Recognize non-web graphic file extensions (.bmp, .tif, .wmf, .emf, etc.)

3) Optimization for web delivery (resolution for screen display)

File Compression

1) Use archiving applications (WinZip, WinRAR, or Windows compressed folder) to zip and unzip file sets

Design Assistance (page composition, layout, appropriate file types, graphics and multimedia)

1) Know what design support services are available and how to access them (e.g. FCTL, Media Production, FLITE Distance Learning and Digital Media Librarians)

Search & Query

1) Knowledge of constructing a search expression (Boolean logic)

File size, download time and connection speeds

1) Understand the effect of file size on download time for various connection speeds

Level 3 - pedagogical knowledge and Learning Management System (LMS) skills for blended-delivery courses

LMS Knowledge

1) Exposure to all LMS Tools and understanding their functionality

2) Syllabus tool

3) Content Module/Learning Module tool (basics)

4) Discussion tool

5) Assignment tool - assignment settings)

6) Quiz tool/Assessment tool – Quiz/Assessment settings

7) Track students (search & query)

8) Selective release

Copyright and fair use

1) Knowledge of copyright and fair use principles as applied to the online environment

Group processes

1) Able to design effective collaborative learning activities

2) Articulates rationale for assigning students to groups (number, composition)

Assessment

1) Makes informed decisions on assessment methods based on the desired outcomes

2) Rubrics: able to formulate effective rubrics for assessment of a learning activity

3) Knowledge of objective measurement methods

4) Knowledge of subjective measurement methods

5) Can clearly state expectations for student participation and performance

Level 4 - pedagogical knowledge and Learning Management System (LMS) skills for fully online courses

LMS Knowledge

1) Content Module/Learning Module tool (advanced: including export/import content, Action Menu links)

2) Student Presentation tool/Assignment-Publish tool

3) Quiz/Assessment tool – use of survey (student feedback)

Use of feedback

1) Understands the importance of timely feedback to students

2) Obtains and uses student feedback to help modify instruction and assessment of student learning

Organization & Instructional Design

1) Able to clearly state general course information

2) Able to design a course space that is easily navigated

3) Able to develop clearly stated learning outcomes

4) Able to design authentic activities and assessments

5) Able to articulate a rationale for courser organization & design

Learner-centered focus

1) Activities are provided for students to contribute to course content via discussion, presentation, and/or research projects

2) Makes opportunities available for students to self-assess their knowledge and progress

3) Makes informed choices that maximize student-student, student-instructor, student-content interaction

4) Understands strategies for developing cohesiveness and community among participants

Learner readiness

1) Demonstrates awareness of essential learner skills necessary for participation in a fully online course

2) Able to assess learner readiness

Level 5 - demonstrated mastery of Online Course Design and Delivery

A Level 5 certified instructor has delivered fully online instruction independently for at least three semesters. The instructor consistently follows Ferris State University's Best Practices in Online Delivery of Instruction for the design and delivery of fully online instruction and is able to choose and use a variety of tools in innovative and engaging ways.

There is no checklist for Level 5 certification.