Transformative Digital Learning: Professional Development for a Changed World

OLC Insights

Inspiring the digital learning professionals through new ideas, innovative perspectives, global lessons, and personal stories from the OLC Community.

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Since the first offerings in 2005, OLC’s online workshops and certificate programs have been a trusted resource for many institutions and community members’ professional learning journeys. During this time, the offerings have grown by a variety of metrics to support them including 5 full-time staff, almost 100 facilitators and subject matter experts from the community, a portfolio of 70+ offerings, and several thousand participants each year. Given the significant growth in the last 18 years and continued need for digital learning leadership development, OLC is reimagining the role of its online workshops and certificate programs in a changed world as the OLC Center for Professional Learning.

Mission and Vision

During this reimagining, the Center will adopt a Mission and Vision that were determined as part of an advisory group.

Mission: We design and facilitate exemplary professional development for educators, empowering their creation of online, blended, and digital learning experiences that center equity, engagement, and student success.

Vision: To provide ongoing support and advocacy for quality, research-driven digital learning design and facilitation within a broad community of educators and lifelong learners.

An Exemplary Digital Learning Experience

The Center’s staff have worked diligently to not only provide support for institutions and educators delivering a high-quality learning experience, but have also modeled what’s possible in the design of the fully online workshops and certificates. In 2022, OLC transitioned all offerings to the Canvas Learning Management System, undergoing a thorough design review and ongoing refresh cycle for each offering along with a slate of new offerings. In 2023, we partnered with Canvas Credentials to elevate micro-credentialing efforts. We have also partnered with Cidi Labs to elevate and align the design of offerings to our mission and vision.

Personas and Pathways for Professional Development

Finally, the rebranding of the Center for Professional Learning comes at a time when the Center’s team has developed a personas and pathways approach to professional learning based on a comprehensive landscape analysis. Faculty, instructional designers, leaders, and student support professionals have access to clear pathways for Course Design and Development, Emerging Technology and Tools, Holistic Learner Support, Leadership and Strategy, and Teaching and Facilitation. The personas and pathways are being continually reviewed for alignment to community needs.

Find your pathway using the Center for Professional Learning Schedule or reach out to an OLC Partnership Manager to discuss workshop passes as a way to embrace all of the possibilities for your organization.

Meet the Center for Professional Learning Team

Josh Herron, PhD, Director of Professional Learning