Penn State World Campus Courses and
Instructional Technology Specialist Certification

The matrix below lists the required, prerequisite, and recommended competencies Penn State has developed to define its Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS) Certification Program. We offer this matrix to help interested candidates decide which courses to take in order to complete their portfolios and preparation for ITS certification.

The last six columns in the matrix indicate the courses offered at a distance by Penn State's "World Campus" and a in a cell of the matrix lets you know which competencies are addressed in each course. For more information on the competency set , please click here.

Also, a learning resource page is available for every competency to guide you as you work to demonstrate mastery. On every learning resource page you will find your tasks, your targets, and some related resources for each competency.

You can access Penn State's ITSC program website by clicking here.

This matrix was last updated on June 16, 2004.

Area

Competency

INSYS 400
Intro to Tech.

INSYS 446
Tools for Learning

INSYS 448
Using the Internet

INSYS 449
Video & Hypertext

INSYS 461
Designing Networks

INSYS 462
Coordinating Tech.

Required Instructional Technology Specialist Competencies
(Assessed prior to recommendation for certification)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I.
Media

1) Graphic Design Software

 

 

 

 

2) Digital Cameras

 

 

 

 

 

3) Scanners

 

 

 

 

 

4) GIF & JPEG file formats

 

 

 

 

 

5) Bitmap file formats

 

 

 

 

 

6) Digital Sound

 

 

 

 

 

7) Video Cameras

 

 

 

 

 

8) Digital Video

 

 

 

 

 

9) Desktop Publishing Software

 

 

 

 

 

10) Presentation Software

 

 

 

 

 

11) Multimedia Production Software

 

 

 

 

12) Browsing & Searching the Internet

 

 

 

 

13) HTML & HTML software

 

 

 

 

14) Installing Software

 

 

 

 

 

15) FTP

 

 

 

 

 

16) Network Concepts

 

 

 

 

 

17) Ethernet Operation

 

 

 

 

 

18) Network Design Issues

 

 

 

 

 

19) WAN concepts

 

 

 

 

 

20) Internet Concepts

 

 

 

21) Technology Assessment & Planning

22) Evaluate Technological Solutions

23) Process of Troubleshooting

24) Troubleshoot Technology Problems

Area
Competency
INSYS 400
Intro to Tech.
INSYS 446
Tools for Learning
INSYS 448
Using the Internet
INSYS 449
Video & Hypertext
INSYS 461
Designing Networks
INSYS 462
Coordinating Tech.

II.
Inservice
Programs

1) Design Inservice Programs

 

 

 

 

 

2) Implement Inservice Programs

 

 

 

 

 

3) Evaluate Inservice Programs

 

 

 

 

 

III.
Curriculum

1) Development Process

 

 

 

 

 

2) Develop a Learning Experience

 

 

 

3) Assist Integration

 

 

 

 

IV.
Leadership

1) Define Leadership

 

 

 

 

 

2) Effective Leadership

 

 

 

 

 

3) Technology Specialist's Role

 

 

 

 

 

4) Concerns-based Adoption Model (CBAM)

 

 

 

 

 

5) Shared Goals

 

 

 

 

 

V.
Diversity

1) Gender differences

 

 

 

 

 

*as of 6-3-04 no longer included

2) Cultural Differences

 

 

 

 

 

*as of 6-3-04 no longer included

3) Age Issues

 

 

 

 

 

*as of 6-3-04 no longer included

4) Technophobia

 

 

 

 

 

*as of 6-3-04 no longer included

5) Media Selection Process

 

 

 

 

 

*as of 6-3-04 no longer included

6) Assistive Technology

 

 

 

 

 

*as of 6-3-04 no longer included

VI.
Evaluating Technology

1) Effectiveness of Computer Technologies

 

 

 

 

 

2) Influence of Effectiveness on Use

 

 

 

 

 

3) Research Study

 

 

 

 

 

VII. Management
&
Administration

1) Effective Technology Plan

 

 

 

 

 

2) Community Reporting Process

 

 

 

 

 

3) Grant Application

 

 

 

 

 

4) Professional Development Plan

 

 

 

 

 

5) Making Decisions

 

 

 

 

 

6) Strategy for Approval

 

 

 

 

 

VIII.

Laws & Regulations

1) Copyright Laws

 

 

 

 

2) Censorship on the Internet

 

 

 

 

 

3) Internet Usage Policy

 

 

 

 

 

4) Academic Standards

 

 

 

 

5) School Board Policies

 

 

 

 

 

6) Funding for Public Schools

 

 

 

 

 

X.

Professionalism

 

Professional Organizations

Professional Conduct

Ethical Conflicts

 

Must complete independently

 

Other Competencies Considered Prerequisite to ITS Certification
(Proficiency is assumed. Not formally assessed as part of ITS Certification)

Word Processing

 

 

 

 

 

Spreadsheets

 

 

 

 

Databases

 

 

 

 

Other Competencies Technology Coordinators Should Possess
(Desirable, but not required. Not formally assessed as part of ITS Certification.)

E-mail

 

 

 

 

 

Semantic Networks

 

 

 

 

 

Expert Systems

 

 

 

 

 

Visualization Tools

 

 

 

 

 

Microworlds

 

 

 

 

 

Simulation/Modeling

 

 

 

 

 

About receiving the Instructional Technology Specialist Certification...

The Instructional Technology Specialist Certification is a Level I Certificate granted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education following recommendation by an institution of higher education that is accredited to make this recommendation. For more information regarding Penn State's ITSC program's exit criteria, please click here.


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