In addition to completing the certification training course, new distance education (DE) instructors seeking full certification are required to teach at least one web-assist course prior to teaching their first DE course. A web-assist course is a traditional face-to-face (F2F) course supplemented with web-based content. It continues to meet according to the published university schedule and incorporates the following tools from the University learning management system (LMS): communication, assignment, and document posting.
The web-assist requirement was incorporated to give new online instructors practical experience with the LMS while teaching in the traditional F2F environment to assist with a better understanding of teaching with technology. However, various challenges with finding instructors to teach F2F courses have caused the CIITS to develop alternative tracks to expedite certification for new DL instructors. Click each link below for track details:
For instructors with no prior experience teaching in a DL environment and have not had the opportunity to teach a web-assist course prior to the semester they are assigned to teach an online or hybrid course at PVAMU.
- Instructors are required to complete certification training (including an exam) designed specifically for instructors who will TEACH ONLY, not develop or modify existing content.
- Instructors require a mentor assigned by the academic unit during the first semester they teach DL courses. The mentor must be a certified DL instructor in good standing and will be responsible for providing guidance to the new instructor. The CIITS will be available for technical assistance, but the mentor should be the first point of contact for instruction-related issues. The mentor will automatically be given development access to that instructor’s course.
Instructors are given non-editing teacher access to online or hybrid courses. Non-editing teachers can communicate with students, view student work and grade student activities; however, they cannot modify course content. Any changes to content must be approved by the mentor in coordination with the Department Head and/or Program Coordinator. Once approval is received, the mentor completes the requested changes.
For instructors who have taught at least one DL course at another institution but have not used the LMS currently used by PVAMU and have not taught a web-assist course at PVAMU.
- Instructors are required to complete certification training (including an exam) designed specifically for instructors who will TEACH ONLY, not develop or modify existing content.
- Instructors DO NOT require a mentor. The CIITS will be available for technical assistance, but the instructor addresses all instruction-related issues.
Instructors are given non-editing teacher access to online or hybrid courses. Non-editing teachers can communicate with students, view student work and grade student activities; however, they cannot modify course content. Any changes to content have to be approved by the Department Head and/or Program Coordinator. Once approval is received, the designated course developer completes the requested changes.
Track 3 – Facilitator/Developer (Full Certification)
For instructors who have taught at least one DL course at another institution using the LMS currently used at PVAMU. It is also for resident PVAMU instructors who have taught at least one web-assist course using PVAMU’s current LMS.
- Instructors are required to complete certification training designed for instructors who are responsible for the design, development, modification and delivery of content within the LMS.
- Instructors DO NOT require a mentor. The CIITS will be available for technical assistance, but the instructor addresses all instruction-related issues.
Instructors are given full teacher access to their DL courses. Even though instructors have the ability to design and modify content, the CIITS recommends that the Department Head or the Program Coordinator be made aware of significant changes to content. More detail regarding Full Certification can be found at https://www.pvamu.edu/dlearning/full-distance-learning-instructor-certification/.
Once the training and (if necessary) web-assist requirements are met, certified instructors can be assigned to existing online courses by their department. To request enrollment in certification training, email the CIITS at ciits@pvamu.edu.
Before enrolling in one of the alternative certification tracks, please submit a signed copy of the Certification Agreement. The agreement can be downloaded, filled out online and then printed to obtain the necessary signatures. The signed and completed form can be scanned and emailed to the CIITS or a hard copy can be sent via campus mail.
Download the Certification Agreement or open it in your browser.
