All state schools require teacher certification to teach in both elementary and secondary schools. However, teacher certification is not required for higher education. Instead higher education accredidation requires PHD degrees in the subject area being taught. For example, a MD cannot teach Theology, nor can a PHD in Engineering teach Biology at the collegiate or graduate level. However, does expertise alone mean that they are qualified to teach? Many of us have been through higher education, and we all had professors we loved and those we didn’t care for. What’s the difference?
Moreover, we all have had teachers in elementary and secondary education, certified teachers, who “couldn’t teach.” We also know some people who are certified and degreed teachers or instructional design who couldn’t storyboard or apply basic principles of adult education to save their life. So what purpose does certification serve? Should companies have this as an essiential requirement when looking for eLearning professionals?
A few years ago, I would have answered this very differently than I do now. I have seen teachers who held no certification(s) who were fantastic teachers and teachers who held an array of certifications/”awards” who couldn’t teach anything (and vice versa!). Don’t get me wrong; I strongly believe in education. However, it is not a sine qua non for qualification for a job in eLearning or training. Instead, I believe you look for certain characteristics and basic requirements/abilities customed fashion for your company. Obviously certain industries and professional positions do require a certain level of education and expertise, but does the eLearning professional require a certain level of education? I believe the answer is that it does require a certain level but not a certain degree. eLearning professionals and trainers need certain characteristics, abilities and demonstratable love/desire for learning (such as a degree), which is a characteristic. Surpriseingly, it has never been proven that those with an education/degree in education prove to be better teachers. There are natural teachers and those who learn to teach, but both go through a progressive growth in improving their teaching.
So what characteristics or abilities make a great trainer or eLearning professional? Here is my working list:
- Love for learning and a deep conviction/passion for training and education that is demonstated through continuous learning/education (and a degree in something).
- A Servant Heart with a great concern for the well being of others.
- Confident Humility with a greater desire to see others suceed more than their desire for awards, etc. This also includes being able to produce training that one may not care for or even disagree with (but mandated by the company).
- Technical expertise to be able to use the various tools
- Persistence and Resiliance (because there are many setbacks in this field)
- Patience yet with a Sense of Urgency
- Diligence with prudence.
- Organization with an attention to detail.
- Ability to learn quickly, esp. if one is not familiar or informed in this field.
- A Desire and Commitment for Excellence balanced with necessity, urgency, and time.
I know I left some things out. What would you add or remove? Do you agree/disagree and why?
