Teaching online has evolved to not only include all state curriculum standards but also to address new pedagogical standards for online instruction. In addition to mastering synchronous and asynchronous technologies, virtual teachers must cultivate a personalized path to academic achievement for each student while maintaining a sense of support and community. Online instruction is the one area of education that is experiencing the need for qualified educators who have specific skills to step right into these positions. This certificate program addresses the skills and knowledge required to be prepared to successfully teach in virtual schools and in online and blended learning settings. The courses also provide core education in the tenets of online teaching.

Program Benefits

• Effectively transition from teaching in the classroom to facilitating instruction in a virtual or blended environment
• Identify best practices for online instruction, student engagement and virtual community building
• Identify effective and appropriate use of asynchronous and synchronous technologies, social media and other emerging technologies
• Demonstrate competency in data analysis techniques used for individualizing instruction
• Develop valid measurements of student performance in the virtual or blended environment
• Explain the importance of tying personal performance to student performance in an online setting
• Apply proven time management techniques in order to effectively manage an online student caseload

Who Should Attend

• K-12 teachers
• Community college faculty
• Continuing education or in-service facilitators
• Educators interested in educational technology

Certificate Requirements

A certificate is awarded upon completion of four required courses (a total of 15 units) with a grade of "C" or better in each course. We highly recommend that students take courses in the sequence listed on the course schedule. Students not pursuing the certificate program are welcome to take as many individual courses as they wish. To receive your certificate, please submit your Application for Candidacy and Request for Certificate Form. All requirements must be completed within five (5) years after the student enrolls in his/her first course.

Stay Informed About
Virtual Teacher

The Truth about Online and Blended/Hybrid Learning: Implementing the Right Environment for Students
Recorded on 5/9/2012
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A National and Global Perspective of Online Learning
Recorded 11/15/2011
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Personalized Learning for Students Through Blended Instruction
Recorded 8/16/2011
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Advanced Instructional Strategies and Curriculum Evaluation in the Virtual Classroom
Recorded on 6/7/2011
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Advisory Committee

• Mary Keenan Asher, vice president, Product Development, Retention Education
• Christina Giguiere, academic coordinator, Multiple Subject Credential Program, Department of Education, University of California, Irvine
• Jonathan Horowitz, vice president, Online Education, JSerra High School
• Robert Letcher, Jr., director of instruction, K12, Inc.
• Allison Powell, vice president, International Association for K12 Online Learning (iNACOL)
• Themistocles Sparangis, chief technology director, Educational Technology, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Susan Stagner, vice president, State Relations, Connections Academy
• Laurie Yen, professional development specialist, Educational Technology, Los Angeles Unified School District

English Proficiency Requirement
All certificate programs at UC Irvine Extension (classroom and online formats) require professional-level English language proficiency in listening and note-taking, reading comprehension and vocabulary, written expression, and oral presentation. If you would like to refine your English language proficiency prior to beginning one of our programs, please see our English Language Programs.