Completing the Last Class and Earning Certification!

Producing Digital Content is the last course in the series students complete to earn certification in online teaching from Governor State University. Only graduate students are accepted into this challenging  program. As any working graduate student will tell you, juggling the demands of work and school is no joke.  Being a mom prepares you for nonstop demands and multitasking but it was hard.

That being said, this was very rewarding.  The skills I have developed has already made an impact on my work.  I have improved the navigation of my courses, added audio lectures to complement transcripts, learning agreements and the organization of my course is more intuitive.  In addition, I have plans to add Blackboard collaborate and captivate in the very near future.   

The audio and presentation software products are a great addition to my courses.  I have always used graphics and video content but now student access in seamless.  Even accessibility issues have improved.  I have moved all my exams to Blackboard.  Last term I discovered from a blind student that her reader software works best with Blackboard.  So by moving exams and adding audio transcripts sight impaired students can take my course.  When offering course components for disabled students, all students benefit.  Students who are auditory learners will also increase comprehension with audio components.

This is an exciting time for teaching online.  The area is filled with instructors who do not have my credentials.  I find that my traditional classes have also  improved from the Online Teaching  and Learning certification education process.  This course, and the three previous courses have been well worth the effort.  I did it!

Producing Digital Content: My Expectations and Aspirations

In 2010, while I was a graduate student working as a graduate assistant I completed the first 3 courses toward earning my Online Teaching Certificate. Since that time I have been trying to find the perfect moment to finish the final course. My schedule teaching psychology at Governors State University and Moraine Valley Community College did not allot much time for me to continue my studies.  

I have learned many things the last 4 years.  One thing I learned was there is not a perfect time to take this class.  So instead I registered at a time that is not ideal.  Maybe some of my classmates can relate?  It is not a lack of desire to learn, but a constant juggling of work and family that stood in my way.

I have been asked reflect on my expectations and aspirations regarding this course.  To be honest one part of me just wants to get it completed.  But a less harried and stressed part of me is looking forward to honing my online design skills. I have been teaching online at GSU and in the traditional classroom at MVCC since 2010.  

So I asked myself what tools do I possess, and what do I hope to gain from this course?

After self analysis and self evaluating my online course designs, I came to some conclusions.  I strive to be proficient in student-student and student-to-instructor interactions. And I look forward to learning more ways to provide such interactions. I have experience in creating assignments and tests which assess student learning and evaluate student content comprehension. I believe completing this course will help me improve in both areas.  

In concordance with standard teaching practice I provide an online syllabus and orientation.  However, I am looking forward to providing my students an interactive version using the learning module.  

When self-evaluating the courses I have designed, I feel my students will benefit from a more organized format with intuitive navigation.  I would like to update my courses in a way that stresses consideration of the student experience to a higher level.  

Looking at my course designs and creating modules from a designer and instructors perspective intrigues me.  I assume I will be able to take some of my skills and apply them toward succeeding in this course.  But my expectation from this course is that I improve my design abilities.  My aspiration is to take what I learn in this course and apply it toward creating more stimulating courses. 

I asked myself what is the most important skill I want to gain from completing the producing digital content course?  

My answer is that I want to make my courses easier for students to navigate so they can concentrate on learning.