#IOLchat Archive

#IOLchat meets Wednesdays at 12PM ET to discuss trends and issues in online education.

Wednesday September 21, 2016
12:00 PM EDT

CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:01 PM EDT

Welcome to #IOLchat! Who is joining in today? Topic: professional credentials, badges, microdegrees … #onlinelearning
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:05 PM EDT

Hi #iolchat - Jennifer from Atlanta... Kind of a busy day today so will be in and out.
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:06 PM EDT

@jshamsy Hi Jennifer! No worries :) Hope all is well. #IOLchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:07 PM EDT

Starting now ... #IOLchat - #InsideOnlineLearning and Alternative Professional Credentials. Join us! #badges #certification #microlearning
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:09 PM EDT

@ceasom ? =) #iolchat
ODUonline Sep 21 @ 12:09 PM EDT

Sorry we have to miss #IOLchat today -- chili cook-off in progress! https://t.co/0rXWMWxXIZ
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:10 PM EDT

@ODUonline Wow! That sounds like a great excuse to me. :) #hungry #lunchtime #IOLchat
massignmenthelp Sep 21 @ 12:10 PM EDT

Online Learning: Benefits of Online Education https://t.co/sBEBdm05sb #iolchat #LDchat
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:10 PM EDT

@ODUonline Wow...Good luck!!! #iolchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:12 PM EDT

Time to get the Q's rolling .... Question 1 coming up! ... #IOLchat <- hashtag ;)
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:13 PM EDT

Q1) Are professional credentials (outside of a degree) required (or preferred) in your field of work? #IOLchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:17 PM EDT

A1) for me, the degree is the main thing, but ... credentials are a way to keep current, and document learning. #IOLchat
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:17 PM EDT

For online learning - there is a minimum level of credentials (masters degree in field maybe even a PhD) #iolchat
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:17 PM EDT

@CenterOnlineEd I like this answer..degrees get you in the door... #iolchat
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:18 PM EDT

A1) I think a lot of it is networking too...once you have the minimum credentials..it depends who you know. #iolchat
philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:20 PM EDT

@CenterOnlineEd A1 Required? No. Preferred. Possibly. Not in job description but may be noted in interviews. #iolchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:20 PM EDT

@jshamsy Agreeing to all! The degree is entry point right now, although there's movement toward alternatives in some industries. #IOLchat
philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:21 PM EDT
Degrees provide a minimal threshold as well as certification in the context of accreditation #IOLchat https://t.co/BcPbVVBj47
- jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:17 PM EDT
  
  @CenterOnlineEd I like this answer..degrees get you in the door... #iolchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:21 PM EDT

@philosophypaul #IOLchat Great to see you, Paul!
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:21 PM EDT

@philosophypaul @CenterOnlineEd Seems like some of this has to do with accreditation ... @ceasom? #iolchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:22 PM EDT

@philosophypaul You're right - don't see credentials listed in a lot of highered job descriptions. #IOLchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:23 PM EDT

@jshamsy @philosophypaul @ceasom Yes! What is accreditation's role in alternative credentials? Also, impact/input of employers? #IOLchat
philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:24 PM EDT
#IOLchat Accreditation stipulation: 18 graduate hours in field of instruction from accredited institution. https://t.co/4k7p3Q8qLI
- jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:21 PM EDT
  
  @philosophypaul @CenterOnlineEd Seems like some of this has to do with accreditation ... @ceasom? #iolchat
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:24 PM EDT

I think degree level is important (committment/formal training)..but may be limiting some of the talent procurred #iolchat
philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:25 PM EDT
#IOLchat Employers may be more open to badges. Certification is an industry standard. https://t.co/JrKqBH2ktY
- CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:23 PM EDT
  
  @jshamsy @philosophypaul @ceasom Yes! What is accreditation's role in alternative credentials? Also, impact/input of employers? #IOLchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:25 PM EDT

@philosophypaul Good example! #IOLchat
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:25 PM EDT

Also depends on domain...too many candidates versus not enough -- supply & demand... #iolchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:28 PM EDT

Q2) So, what is the role of credentials as an alternative or supplement to a degree in your field? Training, profdev, jobskills? #IOLchat
philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:31 PM EDT

@CenterOnlineEd A2 Example: certification to teach online is both profdev and jobskill, but still a credential at institution #IOLchat
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:31 PM EDT

I think prof. dev activities are good and examples of work #iolchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:31 PM EDT

A2) In higher education...badges, industry certification in the topics I teach fall in the professional development category, extra #IOLchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:32 PM EDT
What about your industry? How are certification and degrees intertwined? #IOLchat https://t.co/1bTeOy8HlH
- philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:31 PM EDT
  
  @CenterOnlineEd A2 Example: certification to teach online is both profdev and jobskill, but still a credential at institution #IOLchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:34 PM EDT

@jshamsy Having examples of work is a great point here - class assignments can suffice, but often not as related to the job #IOLchat
philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:35 PM EDT

@CenterOnlineEd Good question. Depends on whether the industry is the academy at large or within a discipline. #IOLchat
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:35 PM EDT

A2) In some domains -- industry experience is key. The catch is industry experience doesn't always translate into good teaching #iolchat
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:36 PM EDT

In online learning esp. need the total package - industry experience & ability to manage and online learning exp. #iolchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:36 PM EDT

@jshamsy @philosophypaul So ... credentials may be able to fill a gap in academic curriculum: real-world work application #IOLchat
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:37 PM EDT

I think highered will always be highered and place value on degrees whether it translates into any actual skill level of not #iolchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:38 PM EDT
Yes! #careerprep #onlinelearning #IOLchat https://t.co/JS4DyxhHn0
- jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:36 PM EDT
  
  In online learning esp. need the total package - industry experience & ability to manage and online learning exp. #iolchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:39 PM EDT

Q3) Are there professional credentials you would recommend for those working in #highered? Any you plan to pursue? #IOLchat
philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:39 PM EDT

@jshamsy #IOLchat Follow-up: comparing industry experience and scholarship - is either harder to "translate into good teaching"?
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:41 PM EDT

@philosophypaul I think being a good industry person and a good teacher don't go hand in hand - two different skill sets #iolchat
philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:42 PM EDT

@CenterOnlineEd A3 For anyone teaching online, yes. Certification a plus. Other para-organization certificates may be valued. #IOLchat
philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:43 PM EDT
Yes. Blessed is the person who can combined the two. #IOlchat https://t.co/Y11FutyDuv
- jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:41 PM EDT
  
  @philosophypaul I think being a good industry person and a good teacher don't go hand in hand - two different skill sets #iolchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:43 PM EDT
Any thoughts about online teaching certification? #IOLchat Pls share your recommendations! #OnlineTeaching https://t.co/grRSrxGw2u
- philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:42 PM EDT
  
  @CenterOnlineEd A3 For anyone teaching online, yes. Certification a plus. Other para-organization certificates may be valued. #IOLchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:44 PM EDT

@philosophypaul @jshamsy Well, said! Some seem to be natural talents at both - others, not so much ;) #IOLchat
philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:44 PM EDT
Yes. Blessed is the person who can combine the two. #IOlchat https://t.co/Y11FutyDuv
- jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:41 PM EDT
  
  @philosophypaul I think being a good industry person and a good teacher don't go hand in hand - two different skill sets #iolchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:46 PM EDT
There are many great opportunities #highered professionals to continue developing skills! #IOLchat https://t.co/wVeUZbeY8A
- jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:42 PM EDT
  
  @CenterOnlineEd Advanced degree? =) I think that prof. dev activities like MOOCs, individual courses, certification can be good.
philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:46 PM EDT

@CenterOnlineEd Most institutions use in-house. We do. Having completed work with OLC I would definitely recommend their programs. #IOLchat
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:47 PM EDT

@CenterOnlineEd This is a tough one. On-the-job experience and opportunities I think are the most important. #iolchat
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:47 PM EDT

@philosophypaul @CenterOnlineEd Yes very difficult to crack into! #iolchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:48 PM EDT

Last Q of today's #IOLchat coming up ...
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:50 PM EDT

Q4) Where do you find out about additional education and training related to your career field? #IOLchat
jshamsy Sep 21 @ 12:52 PM EDT

A4) internet and mostly word of mouth...researching #iolchat
philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:53 PM EDT

@CenterOnlineEd A4 For add. ed related to your field try prof. assoc.; consult your PLN; and (ready-or-not) ask administration #IOLchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:53 PM EDT

A4) My experience has been mostly professional associations (many now offer their own credentialing/certificate programs #IOLchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:54 PM EDT

@philosophypaul @jshamsy Ask your peers! Great advice - nothing like a helpful referral, review before getting started. #IOLchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:56 PM EDT

@philosophypaul Nice tip to ask administration. :) There may be options you aren't aware of, that would add value to exsiting team #IOLchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:57 PM EDT

A4) Also ... check out a new movement for credential registry and verification: https://t.co/A9OaakSzWK #IOLchat
CenterOnlineEd - Moderator Sep 21 @ 12:59 PM EDT

Coming up on the end of the chat hour … Thanks to @jshamsy, @philosophypaul for sharing great ideas today! #IOLchat #credentials #profdev
philosophypaul Sep 21 @ 12:59 PM EDT

@CenterOnlineEd Expectation: "we" administrators should know how to add value to the workplace #IOLchat