Education Specialist
in Online Teaching and Learning
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Overview
This specialization integrates curriculum development, instructional design and course delivery using technology and online learning management systems. The specialization focuses on providing a knowledge base of current research for the planning and implementation of teaching and delivery modalities using instructional design methodologies incorporating educational media.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
Course Details
Specialization Courses
- 6 courses; 18 semester hours
In this course, you will be introduced to the essential elements in the field of online teaching and learning, including foundational philosophies, principles, and models. You will consider technologies that increase student success and examine assessment practices and tools specific to the online environment. The goal of this introductory course is to prepare you to use research-based best practices in creating positive online experiences for learners and instructors.
This course serves as an introduction to instructional learning strategies using information and communication technologies. Students will develop effective online learning facilitation skills such as establishing a safe learning environment for learners, accommodating various learning styles, conducting effective online class discussions, monitoring the progress of learners, guiding collaborating online learning activities, and administering online assessment and evaluations.
In this course, you will explore instructional design and its role in creating engaging online experiences. In particular, you will interpret existing standards related to learner engagement and instructional design, explore instructional design models that support the design of engaging online activities, and actually design instructional content for online experiences. You will also evaluate measures of learner engagement and recommend strategies for increasing learning engagement within online experiences within education and training contexts.
In this course, you will consider key issues and practical guidance for working with students in an online environment. The course includes an examination of the basic characteristics of online students and the factors that are critical to their success. You will explore student-centered approaches, engagement supportive of equity and inclusion, and assessment strategies.
Adult learners have unique needs, and this course will prepare you to facilitate online learning to meet these unique needs. You will examine adult learning theories, principles, and pedagogies with particular consideration of diversity, equity, inclusion and adult motivation. You will consider the design of online learning experiences that create opportunities for effective facilitation of adult learning
In this course, you will examine ethical and legal implications of multiple aspects of developing online content. You will consider different ways that use of existing content is distributed and protected as well as individual and collective implications arising from failure to adhere to laws and best practices. You will also consider ethical challenges and the need to consider multiple aspects of content accessibility. At the conclusion of the course, you will be prepared to use strategies to support ethical and legal development of online content across multiple contexts.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop skills to support educational practices across diverse instructional and organizational settings
- Communicate with diverse audiences about educational theories, research, and practices
- Analyze professional skills, dispositions, and technology options for learning and educating diverse groups
- Apply evidence-based solutions for addressing educational, organizational, and societal issues
- Analyze current research, theories, and instructional practices in educational and organizational environments
Why Choose National University
- Four-Week Courses
- 190+ Degree Programs
- Online or On-Site
- Year-Round Enrollment
- Military Friendly
We’re proud to be a Veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners. Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 240,000 alumni worldwide.
“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”
-Francisco R., Class of 2016
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.