Welcome
Leading Edge Certification
Welcome to the Online and Blended Teacher Certification Course!
Launched in 2011, Online & Blended Teacher Certification guides educators through a curriculum based on The National Standards for Quality Online Teaching and the iNACOL Blended Teacher Competency Framework. Upon successful completion, the certification will give schools, districts and other prospective employers assurance that Leading Edge Certified Online & Blended Teachers not only have the skills to effectively facilitate online and blended courses, but also have a solid understanding of how to enhance the learning opportunities for all students enrolled in their courses.
Certification For Forward-Thinking Educators
Leading Edge Certification (LEC) is a national certification program in educational technology and curriculum innovation. Created by an Alliance of nonprofits, universities and educational agencies, LEC is the first national certification program of its kind, and is platform and vendor neutral. There are currently four (4) areas of certification offered by LEC:
- Online and Blended Teacher
- Administrator
- Digital Educator
- Professional Learning Leader
Getting Ready for your LEC Course!
Before your cohort begins, review the course modules below and complete the Pre-Course Exploration module where the course expectations and structure have been outlined for you. Please use this module to "get ready" for your official course launch!
LEC Online & Blended Teacher Course Modules
Module 1: Evolution of Online & Blended Learning
Learning Objectives
In this module, participants will:
- Define online and blended learning
- Compare and contrast the pedagogy of face-to-face, blended, and online teaching
- Collaborate with colleagues through the use of web-based tools
- Demonstrate appropriate use of technologies to enhance student learning.
Module 2: Accessibility
Learning Objectives:
In this module, participants will:
- Review concepts related to accessibility.
- Review relevant laws and regulations related to Section 508 and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
- Reflect on current practice and materials regarding accessibility.
- Create a video resource that meets ADA accessibility requirements through captioning and transcription.
Module 3: Building and Maintaining Community
Learning Objectives:
In this module, participants will:
- Identify and understand techniques for building community in an online and blended learning environment.
- Develop a discussion prompt that supports student internalization of academic content.
- Experience alternative asynchronous discussion tools.
- Reflect on social media tools and how they may impact students' lifelong learning and your own professional growth
Module 4: Digital Citizenship, Literacy & Responsible Learning Practices
Learning Objectives:
In this module, participants will:
- Understand how to weave digital citizenship practices into their curriculum
- Identify the importance of digital and information literacy
- Recognize the relationship between social media and civic engagement
- Understand the importance of teaching creative credit and copyright
Module 5: Collaboration, Pedagogy, and Practices
Learning Objectives:
In this module, participants will:
- Use student-centered instructional strategies to encourage active learning and interaction.
- Apply the Design Thinking process in curriculum development
- Identify appropriate levels of Bloom's Digital Taxonomy for a variety of Web 2.0 tools.
- Select and use a variety of Web 2.0 tools appropriate for higher levels of cognition.
- Apply interdependence strategies to collaborate with colleagues on the development of a Web 2.0 presentation.
- Identify technology tools and strategies to move project-based learning into the online environment.
Module 6: Online Assessment and Evaluation
Learning Objectives:
In this module, participants will:
- Differentiate and identify the similarities and differences between successful online and face-to-face assessments.
- Understand the rationale behind creating and implementing assessments in online learning environments. Identify and review components of formative assessments.
- Review and demonstrate effective and authentic use of grading rubrics.
- Develop and deliver assessments, projects, and assignments that meet standards-based learning goals and assess learning progress by measuring student achievement of learning goals.
Module 7: Are You Ready for Online & Blended Teaching?
Learning Objectives:
In this module, participants will:
- Assess teacher readiness for online learning and teaching.
- Understand the changing role of the online teacher to an online coach.
- Understand the essential elements in development of an online syllabus.
- Reflect on the journey through this course via iNACOL Blended Teacher Competency Framework or The National Standards for Quality Online Teaching.
Module 8: Portfolio Preparation and Submission
Learning Objectives:
In this module, participants will:
- Assemble and submit their Leading Edge Certification portfolio
- Reflect on their experience as an online learner
