logo
logo
Sign in

A Step-By-Step Guide to Becoming a Certified Instructor

avatar
Lance
A Step-By-Step Guide to Becoming a Certified Instructor

Your coaching has been great and you are pleased with the way the videos developed. But you know there is still more work to be done and that's when the next challenge comes up: becoming certified as an instructor by a professional organization. In this post, we'll look at the process of getting certified, what it entails, and how you can make sure that you meet all of the requirements.

Step 1: Define Your Focus

Before applying for certification, it's important to decide what area of elearning you want to focus on. Do you want to become a generalist or do you want to specialize in a particular subject? Are you interested in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL)? Are you more interested in corporate training? Or maybe you'd like to teach IT professionals how to use new software programs.

You may already have a good idea of what your niche will be, but if not, now is the time to explore options and decide what's right for you before going any further.

Step 2. Choose Your Certification Type

There are two types of certification: CIEL and CITEL. Both certifications require passing the same exam and meeting all other requirements set forth by IAED® (International Association for eLearning). The difference between them lies in their focus areas: CIEL focuses on instructional design while CITEL focuses on technology-enhanced learning. For example, if you choose CIEL certification, your focus will be on creating appealing content that meets learner needs and expectations; however, if you choose CITEL certification, your focus will be on creating an engaging, interactive learning experience that uses technology effectively.

Step 3. Sign Up & Pay Fees

The next step is to sign up and pay the fees for your instructor certification. You can do so on the AICC website by clicking on the “Become an Instructor” button in the top right corner. You will then be taken to a page where you can choose which type of certification program you want to enroll in, whether it’s eLearning or Instructor-Led Training (ILT).

After selecting your preferred option, you will be prompted to fill out a short form with personal details and payment information. Once this is completed, click “Next” and proceed to the checkout form where you can choose whether you want to pay via credit card or PayPal account (if available).

Step 4. Complete Your Application

Once your payment has been processed successfully, you should receive an e-mail confirming this and containing a link to complete your application form. The application will ask for information such as your name, address, date of birth and contact details such as phone number and e-mail address. It also requires information about any existing qualifications or certifications that you already possess (this may include things like diplomas or degrees).

Section: 5. Pass the Required Exams

In order to become a certified eLearning instructor, you will need to pass two exams: the eLearning Fundamentals Exam and the eLearning Instructor Exam. The eLearning Fundamentals Exam is a computer-based assessment that tests your knowledge of basic instructional design principles and techniques. It is divided into two sections: one for those who have an instructional design background, and one for those who don’t. Both sections contain multiple choice questions, which are graded automatically by Pearson VUE. The exam can be taken at any time during your enrollment in the program.

The second exam is also computer-based, but it must be completed within six months of passing the Fundamentals Exam. This test assesses your ability to create effective learning experiences using multimedia technologies such as video, audio, animation and graphics; it also tests your ability to use those tools effectively in an online environment.

Section: 6. Take Advantage of Continuing Education Resources and Opportunities

Because elearning is such a rapidly evolving field, it's important to keep your knowledge up to date. There are a number of resources available to help you do this, including online training modules, conferences and workshops.

  • Online Training Modules: Many online training modules are offered by the top elearning software vendors (e.g., Articulate). These courses cover everything from basic concepts to advanced techniques. The best part about these courses is that they're free!
  • Conferences and Workshops: Conferences and workshops can be an excellent way to learn about new trends in elearning design and development. They also offer networking opportunities, which can help with job searches or even future employment opportunities.
  • Online Communities: Online communities are another great way to connect with other professionals in the industry and learn more about elearning trends and techniques.


Conclusion

Taking the steps to become a Certified Instructor is not a chore. It's actually relatively straightforward, and the benefits of certification will open doors that you might not have expected before. Plus, it's free to get started—so what do you have to lose?



collect
0
avatar
Lance
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more