MECC Instructors Earn Certified Online Instructor Designation

 

BIG STONE GAP – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce that Business Technology Instructors Elizabeth Snodgrass and Jane Jones have been awarded the Certified Online Instructor (COI) designation by the Learning Resources Network (LERN).

“We are pleased to recognize Elizabeth Snodgrass’ and Jane Jones’ expertise and experience in this
growing area of teaching,” noted William A. Draves, President of the LERN, the international education association awarding the COI designation. The COI designation was developed by a committee of outstanding online faculty from universities and colleges in four countries in response to the need for recognition of expertise in this important area of higher education instruction. Snodgrass serves as a professor in MECC’s paralegal program. Jones is an associate professor in MECC’s Administrative Support and Health Information Technology classes in the Business and Information Technology Division.

The faculty for the COI designation includes experts and authors in the field of online teaching. The committee is chaired by Dr. Mary Dereshiwsky, COI, of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona.

“With millions of students now taking online courses, this course of study provides needed professional development for faculty in this emerging area of practice,” said Dr. Dereshiwsky. “In addition, it recognizes the work and expertise of professors successfully teaching online.”

To obtain the COI designation, Snodgrass and Jones completed a fairly rigorous process. Requirements included a critique of their online courses, a knowledge exam, evaluation by online students participating in courses that they instructed, and completion of three online courses for teaching online, designing online instruction, and building learning communities in cyberspace.

The certification is a voluntary program recognized by educators and the Learning Resources Network’s 5,000 members around the world.

The Learning Resources Network is the leading provider of online professional development for faculty in higher education. More than 5,000 professors from ten countries have participated in LERN’s programs.

For more information on the COI designation, please contact Jones or Snodgrass at 276.523.2400.

-MECC-