The standards and program competencies adopted for the Graduate Certificate in Digital Education program are the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS•T) issued by the International Society for Technology in Education (2008). The certificate program is designed to enable candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the following program competency standards:
Program Competency Standard 1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Candidates use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.
Program Competency Standard 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Candidates design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•T.
Program Competency Standard 3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Candidates exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.
Program Competency Standard 4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Candidates understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.
Program Competency Standard 5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Candidates continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.
Multiple assessments are used to determine candidate growth toward achievement of the knowledge and skills described in the Digital Education Graduate Certificate program competencies and the university-wide graduation competencies. Performance-based assessments are used to evaluate individual and collaborative projects, research endeavors, and assignments. Goals, learning outcomes and activities, external assignments, and assessment strategies are linked directly to program and graduation competencies as stated on each course syllabus. Other assessment strategies may include mentoring sessions and observations of performance-based projects in virtual or authentic settings. A standards web-based presentation portfolio completed during the program will show the candidate’s level of expertise in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and experiences described by the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS•T).
To qualify for the Digital Education Graduate Certificate, a candidate must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credit hours with a GPA of at least 3.0 and complete a standards-based presentation program portfolio. The standard-based presentation program portfolio shows the candidate’s level of expertise in acquiring the knowledge and skills described by the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS•T). The program must be completed within five years.
Completion of this degree does not qualify the recipient for a Delaware teaching license, endorsement, or certification, since there is no applicable Delaware licensing category.
