Retooling for E-Learning
By Laura Moushey and James Kirk
To keep pace with the changing training industry (and e-learning skills up to par), many trainers are turning to online certificate programs.
During slow economic times, people use education as a hedge against recession. "People realize they need more education to recession-proof themselves," says Laura Palmer Noone, president of the University of Phoenix Online. She adds, "More than a quarter of University of Phoenix's 95,500 students now take courses online. Only 10 percent did two years ago." Those numbers are moving trainers into the fast-paced arena of technology and are demonstrating how the face of the traditional trainer is changing.
To adapt to an evolving industry, trainers are becoming learners, taking courses in e-learning or distance education. But time is an issue, and many trainers can't commit to a two- or three-year program. So, certificate programs become an attractive option. These programs offer trainers a jump-start on the knowledge they need to maintain a competitive career edge, and most require only a short-term commitment of approximately four to five core classes. Trainers that take courses consecutively can complete most programs within a year. Also, online certificate programs help cost-conscious companies shave training expenses.
To be sure, the number of certificate programs for e-learning is on the rise. But there's some concern about quality. The reasons are clear: The content area is new and there are few instructors with long-term experience in e-learning. According to GP eLearning president John Moran, only 2 percent of training was Web-based in 1999 and 75 percent of that was in information technology. So be wary of institutions and instructors that say they have been teaching the topic for more than 10 years.
In additon, not every traditional college instructor has the requisite experience or expertise to be an effective online instructor. To be successful online, not only do they need knowledge of the topic but he or she must also have a solid understanding of the capabilities and weaknesses inherit in the technology and effective facilitating and writing skills. And instructors must be sensitive to such adult education principle needs as allotting learners a flexible schedule and honoring personal experiences.
More important, competition for online learners is becoming fierce. "With a world-wide target market of 50 million, online learners are expected to more than triple by the year 2025," reports David Beers of the Vancover Sun. Enter accreditation, which will be an important issue to trainers who want to promote their new education and enhanced skills or work for an educational institution as an instructor.
However, some colleges are creating their own accreditation programs that aren't recognized by credible organizations. Be sure to check with the U.S. Department of Education (www.ed.gov) for a list of reputable accrediting bodies. For additional accreditation information consult with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org) and The Distance Education Training Council (www.detc.org).
Finding e-learning certificate programs
As with any learning experience, it's important to conduct an up-front assessment of what training is actually needed and what type of training is best suited to a particular group of learners. In this case, a trainer or would-be trainer will benefit from answering the following questions:
- What do I need to learn? Software? Basic principles?
- What are my personal and career goals? Will this help me achieve them?
- What type of equipment is needed to complete the course work, including software, computer capabilities, Internet connections, and so forth?
- How much time and money can I afford to invest?
- What are the prerequisites?
- How difficult is it to get into the program?
- How long has this program been training in my area of interest?
- What is the experience level of the instructor(s)? Where were they trained?
- What do other learners say about this program?
- If I enjoy the certificate program, do I want to pursue a master's or doctorate degree? If yes, can the certificate be applied towards those degrees?
- Do I want to learn strictly online? If so, is the program synchronous or asynchronous?
- Would I like to attend some traditional classroom courses?
- What type of accreditation do I need to look for in a program?
The table below lists several e-learning certificate programs currently available online.
If those programs fail to meet your needs, there are a number of places trainers can search for additional certificate programs and courses, including
Most of those Websites accommodate searches by subject and institution. As you visit specific program sites, keep in mind that the sites are marketing tools. Verify all information you find on a program or institution.
Published: January 2002