Is This LEC Course Right for You?
Before you continue in this online class, it is a good idea to check to make sure online learning is really right for you. It is important to know your own learning needs and preferences.
Think about your:
Think about your:
- learning goals
- preferred learning style
- preferred learning location
- technology expertise
- access to online tools
- study habits
- time management skills
Preparing for Coursework
As you prepare to begin the course, the following checklist will help to ensure your success:
Prerequisite Characteristics & Skills
Leading Edge Certification learners should possess some specific characteristics and skills. You should:
Course Materials
Everything you need for this course will be found online. Students do not have to purchase any materials, nor will any be sent. An office productivity suite such as Microsoft Office or Apple iWork is recommended but not required. A wide range of free alternatives, such as the Open Office suite of programs, Zoho, ThinkFree Online, and Google Docs, can be used as an alternative. Depending on your certification provider you may be using one of a number of Learning Management Systems (LMS). A Google Docs account is required; additional free accounts with a variety of Web 2.0 tools will be needed as well.
Assessment Process
To earn Leading Edge Certification, you must successfully complete all coursework and assignments (activities, discussion posts, and reflections) in accordance with the course calendar. Each assignment has a rubric. Most students do well on their assignments because they know what is expected of them. In addition to receiving a passing grade in all Pass/ No Pass assignments, each module has one Portfolio assignment that students submit for grading. These Portfolio assignments will be compiled and submitted in an ePortfolio (electronic portfolio). Like the other course assignments, each portfolio assignment has a rubric. The course facilitator(s) will review your Portfolio assignments and provide you with feedback so you can improve upon and resubmit them. Please remember to check for feedback comments from your course facilitator(s).
Note: All assignment deadlines can be found in the in the Syllabus and/or course calendar.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is vital in all forms of learning. It is essential that online teachers model proper and legal aspects of academic integrity. All assignments submitted must be original work unless otherwise cited. All media must be cited in some way; a specific format may be required by your course instructor.
Citations
According to Plagiarism.com, "a 'citation' is the way you tell your readers that certain material in your work came from another source." Citation of sources is one component of academic integrity. Throughout the Leading Edge Certification, you will see both formal and informal citations. While this course uses primarily APA 6.0 citation style, you are free to use whatever form of citation is most comfortable for you based on your particular instructional situation. Formal citation uses APA, MLA, Turabian, or Chicago Manual for style. "Proper" citation may range from any form that lets readers know the original source, to a specific style as required by your LEC instructor.
Student Work
It is your responsibility to make sure that any student work shared follows your district/school policy regarding audiovisual recordings, photographs and student-created content. Contact your site administrator if you have any questions.
Course Support
If you have a question about an assignment, it is likely that many other participants will have the same question. Please post your question in either the Q & A Forum (for course questions) or in the discussion board for the particular assignment.
If you need further help to successfully complete assignments or to meet a specific learning objective in our class, please reach out to your facilitator(s) as soon as possible.
Topics and Schedule
Refer to your course syllabus for detailed information about course topics and schedule.
- Read the Syllabus provided by your facilitator(s).
- Create free online accounts for Web 2.0 tools as required by your facilitator(s).
- Make sure your web browser is current with appropriate plugins.
- Create a file folder structure on your computer (or in the cloud) for course materials and assignments; decide how you will keep track of useful info, tools, and websites from the course.
- Make sure that course emails are not blocked in your email program.
Prerequisite Characteristics & Skills
Leading Edge Certification learners should possess some specific characteristics and skills. You should:
- Be an independent learner.
- Be self-disciplined.
- Have average to advanced computer skills.
- Possess a willingness to explore new tools.
Course Materials
Everything you need for this course will be found online. Students do not have to purchase any materials, nor will any be sent. An office productivity suite such as Microsoft Office or Apple iWork is recommended but not required. A wide range of free alternatives, such as the Open Office suite of programs, Zoho, ThinkFree Online, and Google Docs, can be used as an alternative. Depending on your certification provider you may be using one of a number of Learning Management Systems (LMS). A Google Docs account is required; additional free accounts with a variety of Web 2.0 tools will be needed as well.
Assessment Process
To earn Leading Edge Certification, you must successfully complete all coursework and assignments (activities, discussion posts, and reflections) in accordance with the course calendar. Each assignment has a rubric. Most students do well on their assignments because they know what is expected of them. In addition to receiving a passing grade in all Pass/ No Pass assignments, each module has one Portfolio assignment that students submit for grading. These Portfolio assignments will be compiled and submitted in an ePortfolio (electronic portfolio). Like the other course assignments, each portfolio assignment has a rubric. The course facilitator(s) will review your Portfolio assignments and provide you with feedback so you can improve upon and resubmit them. Please remember to check for feedback comments from your course facilitator(s).
Note: All assignment deadlines can be found in the in the Syllabus and/or course calendar.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is vital in all forms of learning. It is essential that online teachers model proper and legal aspects of academic integrity. All assignments submitted must be original work unless otherwise cited. All media must be cited in some way; a specific format may be required by your course instructor.
Citations
According to Plagiarism.com, "a 'citation' is the way you tell your readers that certain material in your work came from another source." Citation of sources is one component of academic integrity. Throughout the Leading Edge Certification, you will see both formal and informal citations. While this course uses primarily APA 6.0 citation style, you are free to use whatever form of citation is most comfortable for you based on your particular instructional situation. Formal citation uses APA, MLA, Turabian, or Chicago Manual for style. "Proper" citation may range from any form that lets readers know the original source, to a specific style as required by your LEC instructor.
Student Work
It is your responsibility to make sure that any student work shared follows your district/school policy regarding audiovisual recordings, photographs and student-created content. Contact your site administrator if you have any questions.
Course Support
If you have a question about an assignment, it is likely that many other participants will have the same question. Please post your question in either the Q & A Forum (for course questions) or in the discussion board for the particular assignment.
If you need further help to successfully complete assignments or to meet a specific learning objective in our class, please reach out to your facilitator(s) as soon as possible.
Topics and Schedule
Refer to your course syllabus for detailed information about course topics and schedule.
Becoming Certified
To earn Leading Edge Certification, you need to successfully complete all coursework and assignments in accordance with the course calendar, as well as pass the LEC Portfolio.
After successful completion of the course, your LEC Portfolio will be assessed by three educators. These individuals will review your e-portfolio based on the following criteria:
We hope this process will be encouraging and helpful as you develop a professional portfolio that demonstrates your abilities as a Leading Edge Digital Educator.
After successful completion of the course, your LEC Portfolio will be assessed by three educators. These individuals will review your e-portfolio based on the following criteria:
- Portfolio assignments will be assessed using the appropriate 3 point rubric. To pass, a score of 3 needs to be accomplished for each portfolio assignment.
- After all modules have been assessed, an overall rubric will be used to assess the portfolio as a whole. Again, a score of 3 is required in each rubric category.
We hope this process will be encouraging and helpful as you develop a professional portfolio that demonstrates your abilities as a Leading Edge Digital Educator.