E-Learning Online Certificate

We will continue to honor any former certificate tracks for current students.

Certificate Objectives

The E-Learning Design and Development certificate provides students with broad exposure to principles and applications of e-learning. The certificate is comprised of seven courses (10.5 CEUs) and provides a rigorous training option for students interested in developing knowledge and skills in analysis, design, development and evaluation of e-learning. Designed for learning professionals from any field, this program introduces design theories and builds technical skills that apply to a variety of e-learning settings.

    E-Learning Design and Development Curriculum (10.5 CEU)

    Required Courses and Descriptions

    Take all seven required online classes.

    This course introduces the learner to the principles of instructional systems design (ISD), or more commonly, instructional design (ID) as they apply to e-learning development. Participants explore the complexities of designing instruction in various e-learning contexts (corporate training, education, etc.). Participants learn classic ID theory and emerging models and apply these theories in a real context through a simulated design project.

    This course has two main objectives:

    • Learn instructional design process and principles as applied to e-learning
    • Begin developing a design plan for an e-learning project

    This introductory course gives practicing instructional designers and serious students of instructional design a grounding in the basics of multimedia scriptwriting. In it we'll focus primarily on the process of developing script treatments, the vehicles we use as scriptwriters to first conceive and shape our visions for multimedia pieces, then formalize them for review and approval. A worksheet developed specifically for the course will help you gather your ideas and guide you to writing a script treatment based on an instructional multimedia concept of your choosing. Along the way, we'll explore many aspects of professional instructional scriptwriting practice, including: the essential steps of the scriptwriting process, the defining characteristics and production possibilities of three major presentational forms (demonstration, documentary and dramatization) and the various ways you may combine images and words to create the meanings you intend.

    Course objectives:

    • To improve your ability to develop effective scripts for instructional multimedia components of various types
    • To improve your ability to evaluate the skills of instructional scriptwriters.

    This course gives a brief survey and introduction to the most common e-learning development tools used in instructional design and content development. Programs such as Camtasia, Lectora and Articulate are explored. Software programs selected for demonstration are based on current industry trends and may change each term, since the e-learning industry is a quickly changing environment and the goal of this course is to give students a broad appreciation of current e-learning production methods.

    The course objectives include:

    • Providing an initial method by which students can implement the multimedia scripts created in the previous scriptwriting course.
    • Allowing the student to create a simple portfolio of production pieces that can be built upon and customized.
    • Giving the student a solid framework and comfort with rapid production methods that can be used in client presentations and stakeholder meetings.

    This course introduces the learner to the principles and tools for audio-visual media production as they apply to e-learning development. Participants learn how to use common equipment and free software to record audio, perform basic editing functions and process files for varying uses. Participants use several types of video capture equipment to record simple instructional videos, perform basic editing and process files for various e-learning delivery technologies. Participants also learn how to find, acquire and mix together existing audio and video media to create effective instruction material for e-learning delivery.

    This course has three main objectives:

    • Use basic, common audio equipment and editing software to create audio resources for e-learning delivery
    • Use basic, common video equipment and editing software to create video resources for e-learning delivery
    • Locate, acquire and combine audio and video resources to create effective instructional material

    This course surveys the issues surrounding the management of learning systems and the integration of instructional content and assessment activities. We will take both an administrative and instructional view of the best practices and challenges found when working with a learning system. We will use Moodle as our operational platform; however we will also review other learning systems, both proprietary and open source. Common technology standards are also discussed including Application Programming Interfaces (API), SCORM, Experience API and much more.

    There are three objectives for the course:

    • Categorize learning systems based on the needs of users.
    • Provide familiarity with web 2.0 assessment tools, as well as technology and deployment standards.
    • Identify the human challenges of implementing, upgrading and managing a learning system.

    This course emphasizes the role of formative evaluation and usability testing as an integral part of e-learning development process. Participants review Kirkpatrick's classic Levels of Evaluation and explore ways of assessing performance at each level. Special emphasis is placed on the usability testing of e-learning products. As a cumulative project for the course, students plan a study, create plans to collect and analyze data, and plan a summative report for a usability review of an existing product.

    This course has three main objectives:

    • Review principles of evaluation as used in instructional design
    • Participate in the usability testing of real e-learning products
    • Begin a usability test plan for a real or planned e-learning product

    This course explores content development for e-learning using Adobe Captivate or similar software. Students will create media rich deployable content. Common publication and packaging protocols will be discussed, including the value of learning objects, SCORM and AICC standards. This class will survey e-learning content development strategies for blended learning, training environments, screencasting, mobile computing and student accessibility.

    This course has three main objectives:

    • Deploy and publish content using Captivate or similar software.
    • Create in-depth assessment and evaluation tools.
    • Provide familiarity with publication and deployment standards

    Core Course

    ITEC 9810 Instructional Design for E-Learning is the core course that the certificate students must complete, and the class can be taken simultaneously with other program classes.

    E-Learning Design & Development Certificate Equivalencies

    By equivalency, we mean that a student who completes the M.A. course should also be able to meet the competencies for the certificate course. They would not have to complete the certificate course. If they were enrolled in the certificate program and preferred to take a few M.A.-level courses, they could be referred to these three M.A. courses.

    Frequency of Course Offerings

    Course Frequency
    Course Subject/Number Course Title CEU Semester Typically Offered
    ITEC 9810 Instructional Design for E-Learning (Core Course) 1.8 Spring/Fall
    ITEC 9815 Multimedia Production for E-Learning 1.8 Fall
    ITEC 9820 Instructional Multimedia Scriptwriting 1.5 Spring
    ITEC 9825 Adaptive Prototyping in E-Learning 1.2 Spring
    ITEC 9830 Developing Content for E-Learning 1.5 Fall
    ITEC 9835 E-Learning Evaluation & Usability Testing 1.5 Spring
    ITEC 9840 Managing Learning Systems 1.2 Fall

    Canvas: How to Access Your Online Course

    Once you register and pay for your course, you may go to Canvas and log in using your SF State Login and Password. It takes up to 24 hours to process you into the system.

    Certificate of Completion Request

    Once you have completed the necessary coursework, submit the Certificate of Completion Request Form.

    Document Readers are required to view documents.