What goes into the total redesign of a traditional college credit certificate program to build a completely competency-based format using open educational resources? It’s time-consuming and labor-intensive, but well worth the effort in order to train incumbent workers to skill up for advancement into better paying, higher-level supervisory positions.
What goes into the total redesign of a traditional college credit certificate program to build a completely competency-based format using open educational resources? It’s time-consuming and labor-intensive, but well worth the effort in order to train incumbent workers to skill up for advancement into better paying, higher-level supervisory positions.
With the 18 college credit Supervisor Certificate program created by the Dallas County Community College District, working students can easily complete in 24 weeks by taking two online courses at a time for 8 weeks each. The fast-track training was developed to provide upwardly mobile incumbent workers with the skills and abilities required for successful supervisors. Demand-driven “power” skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication, customer service, and technology as well as the required student learning outcomes are addressed in the curriculum. The presenter will discuss methods for including industry partners in the identification of key competencies to be included in the curriculum.
The courses use exclusively use open educational resources curated and/or written by the faculty content experts and require no textbooks or fees saving students hundreds of dollars. The presenter will share how content was sourced and discuss how faculty content experts worked with technical staff at the DCCCD LeCroy Center to create videos, learning objects, graphics and assessments. Course content is accessible to students on any device including phones, tablets, and computers.
Since the introduction of the Fast-track Supervisor Certificate in the Summer of 2016, enrollment has surged and the number of students graduating from the program has quadrupled. The success rate (students earning As, Bs, Cs) has more than doubled. Students are completing the program faster and getting raises and promotions. The number of colleges offering the program in the Dallas County Community College District has grown from one to four. We are hiring and training more adjuncts and expanding the course offerings to include other certificates. The presenter will provide motivational methods used to keep student performance on target.
Totally redesigning courses into a competency-based format without the use of textbooks is time-consuming and labor-intensive. All videos and graphics must be designed, all assessment questions must be written and validated, appropriate readings must be selected or written, websites must be researched and selected, etc. Allowing enough time for each of these activities is important and involving the right people is essential to success. Instructional designers and faculty play key roles in this process. Colleges considering replication of this initiative should pay special attention to selection, training, and compensation for individuals undertaking such a project.
This Education Session will be rich in video, course demos, and testimonials. Handouts will be shared and there will be plenty of time for questions and exchanges of ideas.