eTech, the digital campus of Arkansas Tech University, will offer an eight-week course during the fall 2014 semester for full-time Arkansas Tech faculty members interested in becoming certified to teach online courses. The course will provide full-time faculty members with an opportunity to connect with peers and learn best practices for teaching online. Application deadline for the fall 2014 eTech certification course is Friday, April 11, 2014, at 5 p.m. The course will be limited to 16 participants. Selection will be based upon strength of application. Previous online teaching experience is not required. Dr. Melinda Wilkins, professor and director of the health informatics and health information programs at Arkansas Tech, was a member of the first eTech certification class during the spring 2014 semester. “Participating in the eTech certification course has helped me gain confidence in the use of technology that is readily available for use in my online courses,” said Wilkins. “It has been great to be able to try out the different aspects in a non-threatening environment where I can play and learn about what would be the best fit for my particular courses. Since the assignments are reflective of my own course, it has helped me to revamp a class that I was wanting to change for the upcoming year. I now have so many ideas for helping to better engage students in an online course. Plus…we laughed a lot, which always makes learning better.” Dr. David Bell, professor of elementary education and head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Arkansas Tech, said the course is beneficial regardless of the faculty member’s experience with online courses. “I have taught for many years online and was quick to submit my application for the eTech certification class,” said Bell. “The class has provided me many new experiences and given me information about a variety of tools to enhance and improve my online classes. In this class you will learn about Tegrity, Bb Collaborate, Respondus 4.0 lock down browser, and many others. It is an excellent class. What you learn can be used for both online and for traditional face-to-face classes.” Visit www.atu.edu/etech/faculty-apply.php to view a video with more details, download the application for the program and learn more about the course. Faculty members seeking additional information may contact Dr. Hanna Norton, professor of journalism and assistant vice president for academic affairs, at hnorton@atu.edu.
