Do i need a degree or certification to go into e learning?
Jan 14, 2015
Hi! My name is Allegra Coe and I've been doing a lot of research and reading on instructional design and e learning. It looks more and more like something I'd really like to get into, but I have no idea where to start. I have a BA in education, a MA in English, I've taught writing and literature courses as an adjunct instructor at university and in community college and I have a certification in Professional writing and technical communication. I am currently working as a substitute teacher and applying for online teaching positions, part time. I'd like to go into e learning and help build online courses for community colleges. My questions are 1) how do I even get started in this field and 2) do I need a certification or degree to land a job (seems to be a lot of different answers to that last one, based on what I've been reading). Any insights or advice would be most appreciated, as I am totally confused. Thanks!
5 Replies
Maybe these threads here provides some ideas on how to get started: https://community.articulate.com/discussions/building-better-courses/how-do-i-get-started-in-e-learning and https://community.articulate.com/discussions/building-better-courses/e-learning-design-how-did-you-get-started
Thank you!
Hi, Allegra!
To add to Michael's excellent advice, I'll include a few more options that I've been posting on similar E-Learning Heroes threads.
I recently discovered an article listing the "Most Popular Free Online Courses For eLearning Professionals." You can sign up for a free account to view the article, which lists 10 online courses offered by universities, Udemy, Coursera, and other platforms on topics such as:
For example, one course by Georgia Tech "includes 6 weeks of instruction, focused on the fundamentals of eLearning. After completing the free online course, you will have an in depth understanding of how to transform traditional courses, specifically those that involve face-to-face instruction, into interactive online courses."
Developing your skills also requires lots of practice. One way to gain proficiency is to create samples for your own eLearning portfolio. For example, many people submit entries to David Anderson's Weekly eLearning Challenges.
Another way is to simply create a few eLearning modules or courses using your own ideas and intellectual property. This has worked very well for me, since I'm normally rather restricted by non-disclosure agreements and other constraints associated with using client projects as work samples.
In any case, I wish you the very best of luck with your career development!
Kindest regards,
Adele
Adele,
Thank you so much for your kind advice and the wonderful information. I'll definitely look into those courses. And the challenges sound interesting, and fun! Thanks again!
Allegra
Sent on the new Sprint Network from my Samsung Galaxy S®4.
You're welcome, Allegra! Keep us apprised of how you progress in your journey.
Cheers,
Adele
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