Programme Content and Organization
Programme Content and Organization
Designed specifically for current and future managers, instructors, and support personnel, the Online Teaching and Learning certificate programmes focus on development of 1) student knowledge, and 2) practical professional competencies as related to online learning.
Within each of the certificate programmes, you will complete two courses.
Modules currently offered
CAS Basics of Online Teaching and Learning
The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Basics of Online Teaching and Learning consists of two course modules that provide you with the basic knowledge, competencies, and skills to successfully
prepare and deliver online and blended learning.
Establish a foundational understanding of the principles, theory, and practice of online learning, as well as the necessary learner support systems.
Principles, Theory, and Practice of Technology Enhanced Learning (OTL100)
This course studies the history and evolution of distance education and technology-enhanced learning (TEL). A selected range of social and political/economic factors, theories, learning and teaching models, technology and media innovations, institutions and systems, and major writers that have shaped the development of the field will be critically examined. A variety of technologies are used to support the development of foundational skills and a personal learning environment that are integral to current practice. Students will also be asked to periodically reflect upon opportunities and barriers that are characteristic of higher education within their local institutional and national context.
Instructor:
 | Prof. Dr. Paul Prinsloo |
Mentor:
 | Dr. Melissa Bond |
Visiting Expert:
 | Prof. Dr. Alan Tait |
Learner Support in Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL)
This course provides an introduction to the theories and concepts of support for learners in technology enhanced learning environments. Various types of learner support are examined, including tutoring and teaching; advising and counselling; and library, registrar, and other administrative services. Discussion will address management issues, such as planning, organisational models, staffing and staff development, designing services to meet learner needs, serving special groups, and evaluation and applied research.
Instructors:
 | Dr. Susan Bainbridge |
Mentor:
 | Jodine Wiebe |
Visiting Expert:
 | Dr. Jane E. Brindley |
CAS Media and Trends in Online Teaching and Learning
The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Media and Trends in Online Teaching and Learning consists of two course modules that provide you with the basic knowledge, competencies, and skills to successfully
prepare and deliver online and blended learning.
Explore the role of media in classroom design and the emerging transnational and national education issues in online learning.
Design of Technology Enhanced Learning Environments (OTL115)
This course provides an overview of the use of digital media in a variety of educational settings, designed to identify properties, strengths, and weaknesses of digital media in different learning contexts. The basic psychological processes of perception, understanding, and learning with educational media will be introduced, with a focus on instructional design for technology enhanced learning environments and stand-alone learning objects. Students will identify and explore a variety of digital learning materials and apply instruments to evaluate them. Topics will include collaborative learning technologies, open educational resources, the impact of media on learning outcomes, methods of evaluation, quality assurance, and project management of TEL initiatives.
Instructors:
 | Dr. Jill Fresen |
 | Estelle Drysdale |
Mentor:
 | Berrin Cefa Sari |
Visiting Expert:
 | Prof. Dr. Terry Anderson |
International and Transnational Educational Issues in TEL
This course examines the development and current landscape of global open and distance education across developed and developing countries. Key topics will include cross-border partnerships, emerging business models, academic quality, cultural and linguistic opportunities and challenges, and innovative packaging of content including MOOCs and open educational resources. Additionally, the module compares and contrasts key global professional and international associations (e.g., UNESCO, ICDE, AAOU, OECD, EDEN, USDLA, and The World Bank) the resources these organisations offer, and their diverse roles in promoting internationalism, global trade, and the quality assurance and management of global educational services. A major theme of the module will be providing examples and case studies for comparative analyses amongst a variety of open and distance learning providers representing single and dual mode institutions and ODL universities/organisations from developed and developing countries. Private sector providers and government agencies will also be covered in these analyses.
Instructors:
 | Dr. Don Olcott, Jr., FRSA |
Mentor:
| Berrin Cefa Sari |
Flexibility and Accessibility
The Online Teaching and Learning certificate programmes are fully online, with instruction and learning occurring entirely within the framework of C3L’s learning management system, C3LLO, which serves as the primary learning space for you to collaborate with your peers and the instructional team. Each online course lasts 15 weeks and contains the components: content theme presentation, discussion questions, and tasks/exercises. you to collaborate with your peers and the instructional team. Given the subject matter, our courses frequently and extensively employ a variety of technologies in order to broaden your knowledge and exposure to technology trends and developments.
The design of our certificate courses places a strong emphasis on allowing for and promoting learner agency and decision-making by nurturing an environment of exploration, creation, collaboration, connection, sharing, networking, and reflection. Examples include researching topics and themes related to your discipline and/or interest, collaborating with other students in conducting research or carrying out a learning activity in your area of interest, and developing connections and networks with professionals who conduct research/work in your discipline or related field.
Benefits of C3L’s Flexible Learning Environment
- A Learning Network of Mentors, Instructors, and Students
C3L’s online learning environment, C3LLO, allows you to connect and interact with the instructional team and fellow classmates, providing opportunities for you to share your experiences and learn from those of others, while further building your professional network.
- Use of Open Educational Resources
Course materials primarily consist of open educational resources (OER) that are readily available on the internet. The certificate programme’s close affiliation with Oldenburg University’s international Center for Open Education Research (COER) helps ensure that the latest in ODL and TEL research is integrated into course modules.
- Skill Building Activities for Moving from Theory to Practice
Course-specific learning activities support you in developing higher education management skills and competences relevant to your professional practice. Learning activities resemble real-world contexts, making it possible for you to apply newly acquired knowledge and skills in practical and authentic situations. Scenarios are drawn from different settings, drawing on your professional experience and allowing you to personalise your learning experience.
- Assessment of Learning Using Student Portfolios
At the end of each course module, you will submit a portfolio for assessment, which demonstrates the competences and skills you have acquired through course learning activities. Portfolios are not only an instrument of assessment, but as they showcase acquired competences and skills – they can serve as a passport of professionalism in the field of online and distance learning.
- Personal Consulting and Support
Our instructional teams are readily available throughout the semester to offer guidance in completing your coursework, and the C3LLO team provides ongoing technical support over chat, e-mail, and telephone.
- Connecting and Interacting Over the C3LLO Learning Environment
You will have access to the learning environment and course materials two weeks before the course begin date, thus allowing you to organise for the semester before class starts. C3LLO supports a variety of tools for synchronous and asynchronous dialogue and online collaboration.
