eLearning: Program Prerequisites

Program Prerequisites

The following are knowledge, skill, and disposition prerequisites for the program:

Experience using the Internet for communication via tools like email and discussion forums.
Experience using the Web for research (e.g., using Google, Yahoo, or another search engine).
Computer operation skills including basic file management with the operating system of your computer (Windows, OS X, etc.).
Skills in using productivity software tools, such as a word processor.
Desire to participate in a highly interactive learning community. This program is not a self-paced experience. You will be required to contribute to the online community via discussion, peer review, and product collaboration. This will require you to be online consistently and frequently.
Ability to handle the workload each semester. All of the program participants have many professional and personal commitments. It is important to realize that it takes time and effort to develop expertise in these areas. The workload varies, but it is not uncommon for people to spend 12-15+ hours a week on course deliverables and collaboration with other students and the course instructors. The return on investment for that time, however, can be huge!

Commitment. This is a challenging, intensive program. You will need to manage your time and stay on task. People who are new to learning online should expect to find the first few weeks somewhat challenging, as they are simultaneously learning content and how to be a successful online learner. These skills will quickly become intertwined and invaluable.
Initiative and responsibility. Student-centered learning places more responsibility on your shoulders. You are going to be able to tie your work into projects -- but that means you have to come up with those ideas.
Willingness to collaborate and participate regularly. This is not a correspondence program. Students are online communicating and collaborating with others in the program on a daily basis. Although there is room for some flexibility (for those who travel, for example), students are expected to engage in learner-to-instructor and learner-to-learner interaction frequently and consistently.
Software and books. We will not be providing software or books -- you will be responsible for acquiring these materials for yourself.
All of the courses in the Designing eLearning Environments certificate program and eLearning Design and Implementation Masters program are conducted online. Therefore, good computer equipment and an Internet Service Provider (ISP) with access to the Web, preferably at home and at work, is required for participation. Visit our technology requirements page for more details.