My wife is an accountant and she puts in long hours at a prestigious corporation. So, her answer to “How can I take my Being Digital course online” was quite simple, she would learn how to do it through an online education provider. Although she wanted to pursue her education to become an Accountant, she knew she didn’t have the time to dedicate to learning the subject through a university or through distance learning. She would take an online university class or an online university examination course to supplement her income while doing what she loved to do best, work. She also wanted to supplement the money she earned from her job with continuing education opportunities.
Her situation is typical for most women working today. Most juggling multiple jobs, making ends meet while taking care of children at home and taking care of their husband at home demands an understanding of technology and making time management strategies. So, she took the leap and began looking into online courses to fulfill her dream of becoming a university teacher. Her question was, “Is there such a thing as taking my Being Digital course online?”
My answer was, unfortunately, no. Although I had heard about some online courses and thought I had a pretty good idea of what they offered, it wasn’t until I started looking into online teaching preparation that I realized how different it really was than taking a traditional university course. Online teaching preparation consists of an accredited foundation in the principles of distance education, as well as instruction on the basics of using the most current technologies in the classroom. The foundation of coursework includes learning about the history of distance education, the different types of technology that are used in the process, different types of teaching methods such as visual aids, audio/visual aids, and interactive technology.
Online teaching preparation courses are typically broken down in specific modules. This allows students to take the needed courses in small chunks rather than sitting in a class and trying to learn all the information at once. For many people, the knowledge of what they need to know in order to complete a module is all they need to take their Being Digital courses online. However, in some cases, individuals need a bit more in-depth study to fully understand everything that is being covered in the modules.
The module schedule for Taking My Being Digital is fairly typical. There are usually five modules that are taken over a period of a couple weeks, or sometimes even over two semesters. Most of these modules cover the basic concepts of the content management system that is commonly used in universities today. This includes learning how to keep track of student files, access the online content repository using the university’s site, and how to submit work for approval online. Other topics are also covered, including how to access the learning manager application that is part of the CCPro.
Once a person has completed his or her modules, they must then find the time to sit in a lecture class, complete any assignments, and complete any quizzes and exams. If there are questions that must be answered before the next lecture is due, there may be a quiz prior to the lecture that must be taken at the same time and on the same day as the lecture. In most cases, taking online classes is done in small groups of approximately four to six students, although this may vary depending on the particular university. Groups may communicate by email or teleconference, though some schools still require face-to-face communication. During the course itself, groups will discuss their problems and come up with a solution to each one.
As modules are completed, an individual will be given a final exam. This exam covers everything that was discussed in the course, along with additional topics that are normally not taught in a traditional classroom setting. If someone has completed all of the modules in the course and understands how to use the CCPro learning management system, he or she can then pass the final exam and become an Adobe Certified Professional who holds a CCPro credential. Holding such a credential is very helpful in finding employment, and many companies actually hire professionals with these credentials.