Ed Tech Core Competency Resources/Training

This MSU Extension competency area focuses on:

  • Delivering content in formal and informal educational contexts using appropriate strategies and methods based on the target audience.
  • Staying current with innovations in educational technology and adopts these technologies as appropriate, using modern theories in teaching and learning. (e.g., being an early adopter or tester of innovative tools).

Below are professional development resources, training session, and activities you may engage in for development in this area. 

Designing Online and Blended Extension Courses

Have you thought about developing an online or blended course for your program? Register for this online training to get started on the right path! Throughout the courses, you will learn best practices for creating an engaging experience for your audience.

This course series is available through four short courses which are self-paced. To register visit: Designing Online and Blended Extension Courses Registration.

  • Designing Online Extension Programs 101: Design & Organization
  • Designing Online Extension Programs 201: Instructional Content
  • Designing Online Extension Programs 301: Activities & Assessment
  • Designing Online Extension Programs 401: Implementation Strategies

D2L Self-Directed Training

This self-paced training from MSU IT Services gives an overview of D2L functions and tools through tutorials and help guides. To enroll in this training log into D2L: https://d2l.msu.edu, select Self-Registration at the top of the page, and Enroll.

Zoom Training

Zoom meeting and webinar assistance and training is available on-demand by sending a request to: msue.online@msu.edu.

How to Help Clients with Questions Training

The purpose of this online workshop is to provide MSU Extension personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to help clients find information, answers to their questions, or Michigan experts they can talk to using online tools such as the Staff Directory, the AABI Coverage Tool, Ask an Expert, eXtension Learn, and eXtension Search. If you have any questions about this training please contact Gwyn Shelle at heyboerg@msu.edu.

You can also watch a recording of this training by going to: How to Help Clients with Questions Training Recording.

Technology Resources Spartan 365 Training Page

Do you have questions in terms of how to use the Office/Spartan 365 applications? Michigan State University IT Services have developed a help and FAQ page which includes an overview of each application and links to self-paced trainings. To access the page visit: Spartan 365 FAQs and Resources. For those who are administrators of Spartan 365 Teams, you may want to join the MSU IT Services Team Tuesday sessions. These sessions include how to use Team features and a Q&A. To join these sessions visit: Spartan Teams. To watch archived recordings of these sessions visit: Team Tuesday Archives. Note that you will need to login with your NetID/password in order to join or watch the recordings.

Technology Training through elevate U

Michigan State University offers many online courses, videos, and resources through elevateU: elevateU Training. Courses range in topics from Microsoft application trainings, project management, leadership, and more!

Accessibility Resources

  • D2L Self-Paced Training
    The content in this self-guided resource is designed to help instructors make effective decisions when considering the impact their instruction and instructional material has on students with a variety of disabilities. This site was developed by the Accessibility Through Creative Innovation Faculty Learning Community to increase the knowledge and understanding of accessibility and disability in higher education. To enroll in this training log into D2L: https://d2l.msu.edu, select Self-Registration at the top of the page, and Enroll.

Webaccess.msu.edu Tutorials

If you are interested in learning how to make content meet accessibility guidelines view the tutorials found on the MSU Web Access website: Create Accessible Content Tutorials. Tutorials range from Microsoft applications, to Google Drive, and D2L.

Educational Technology Recommended Reading List/Resources

Visit the MSU Library for resources relating to educational technology. Books checked out by MSU Extension staff will be shipped if you are located more than 50 miles from campus: https://lib.msu.edu/.

  • Teaching Online: A Practical Guide, by Susan Ko and Steven Rossen
  • Instructional Design for eLearning, by Marina Arshavskiy