An Innovative, Online Certificate Program

Who is this Certificate Program for?   

The Designing and Implementing Web-based Learning Environments (WLE) certificate program is for  K-12 teachers, higher education instructors, trainers, content experts, and corporate instructional developers -- anyone interested in learning how to develop Web-based learning environments.  Provided by the Information and Learning Technologies (ILT) program in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver, this online, graduate-level program is designed for people who:  

• Are eager to apply Web technologies in their training or classroom environments.
  


• Are highly motivated to learn the tools and techniques for success in this field.


• Enjoy collaborative learning.


• Like to be involved in dynamic project-based learning activities that are immediately relevant and applicable to their training and school environments.


• Want to become Web site development leaders and mentors in their workplace.


• Have little or no previous Web development experience.
  

This certificate program is also appropriate for  people with differing levels of previous credentialing:    

• People who already have graduate degrees and want to focus on developing their skills as designers of Web-based learning environments.


• People who do not have graduate degrees and are not sure they want or need them, but who want to focus on developing their skills as designers of Web-based learning environments.


• People in other Master's programs that are able to apply these courses as electives (check with your current program to see if these courses can be transferred in as electives).


• People who wish to apply the certificate credit to a Master's degree in Information and Learning Technologies (ILT) from UC Denver. In 2005 we launched an online MA with an emphasis in e-Learning. The certificate program courses are also required courses in the online ILT MA. In fact, once you complete the WLE certificate program, you only need 18 additional credits to complete the MA! If you are interested in this option, please contact the Program Coordinator -- Joni Dunlap -- for more information.

What Makes this Certificate Program Unique?  

• An authentic, interactive approach to online education.  Gain the most out of your online learning experience by working collaboratively on complex and realistic projects.  As an online learner, you will have the added benefits of experiencing and analyzing this learning environment, increasing your understanding and skills.


• Develop products for immediate, practical use in your training or school environment.  Class activities and projects coincide with your particular workplace requirements.


• Hands-on use of technology. You will use and create Web-based instructional products that incorporate multimedia and hypermedia techniques and applications, and produce a professional portfolio showcasing your own Web-based instructional products and learning environments.

What are the Program Prerequisites and System Requirements?

• 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).


• 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. The return on investment for that time, however, can be huge!

• 600 MHz Intel Pentium III processor or equivalent


• Windows 98 SE (4.10.2222 A), Windows 2000, or Windows XP


• 256 MB RAM (512 MB recommended)


• 800 MB available disk space

• 500 MHz PowerPC G3 processor


• Mac OS X 10.2.6 and later, 10.3


• 256 MB RAM (512 MB recommended)


• 500 MB available disk space

I've really enjoyed these three classes, working with you and the other instructors and classmates. I'm going to miss the interactions with everyone! Thank you very much for all your help and for running such a great program!

Mary Lynn Monge
Manager, Online Learning Services
Performance Support and Training Department
at a large state agency

The course work has been a great learning process and I have enjoyed my experience in this program - especially the team sharing aspect.

Kathy Walsh
Program Manager Training
Charles Schwab and Co., Inc.

The online courses were challenging, but they offered something I couldn't get locally--integration of the "how to" build websites with the "why" of instructional design. The instructors helped us adapt our projects to our individual situations. They challenged us to push our technical limits, responded to our questions, and applauded our results. Working with a cohort gave us a built-in support group and the chance to see many different applications of the principles and techniques covered.

Cecelia Munzenmaier
Adjunct Composition Instructor

I know for certain the WLE program expanded my instructional design knowledge and helped me to develop the multimedia authoring skills required of an Instructional Designer. It was these skills that helped me land my new job! In fact, my current employer later commented to me that it was the instructional design component of my portfolio (the final product from the WLE program) that was the selling point in my interview!

Ann Marie Persson
Senior Documentation Writer