The Digital Media Center at the University of Minnesota has developed an award winning faculty development program, known as the TA Web Certification Program. Developed in 1999 by Linda Jorn and the DMC, the course is designed to encourage Teaching Assistants to use technology in their teaching. The program provides TAs with additional skills and increased educational technology literacy, and gives TAs an advantage in the competitive marketplace.

During the four-week program, TAs learn how to incorporate technology-enhanced learning (TEL) strategies into courses and create web pages by following a seven-step iterative development process. In 30 class hours, they are taught how to develop a TEL lesson plan and create a course web site using WebCT. Upon successful completion of the program, TAs are awarded a certificate that demonstrates TAs' TEL and website production skills to the faculty members they assist.

The TA Web Certification program has proven a good long-term institutional strategy for the University of Minnesota. With a minimum investment, the university can deliver more instructional technology products now and in the future. Once trained, the TAs can produce course sites at a minimal cost, not only for their faculty sponsors, but for faculty they will work with in the future. They create a safe environment for current faculty to learn to use new technologies and create new learning environments. In the long term, the DMC is training future faculty to understand and use technology for teaching and research.

To learn more about the TA Web Certification program, or other instructional innovations at the DMC, visit their web site at http://dmc.umn.edu/.