Training Requirements

All faculty are required to complete Level 1 training or meet equivalency for teaching in the online environment. Years of experience teaching in the online environment does not waive this requirement for faculty. To be considered current, the most recent training or equivalency documentation must have been completed within the past three (3) years. The minimum training for teaching online at San Bernardino Valley College is Level 1, as established by the Distance Education Committee and supported by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

 

Training Courses

SBVC Distance Education has created training classes for instructors wanting to begin preparation for online teaching. These classes are housed in Canvas and can be accessed from any computer connected to the internet.

If you are interested in enrolling in a class, please click on one of the links below:

Online Faculty Training

  • Level 0 training is intended for the new user of Canvas or anyone who needs more remedial training on the functions of Canvas and how to navigate the LMI (Learning Management System). The objectives of Level 0 include how to create a home page, content pages, discussions and the communication tools within Canvas. SBVC does not currently facilitate this course, but the CVC-OEI and @One training offers a self-paced course for those who need to learn these skills.  There is no cost for the self-paced course and enrollment is open. Follow the link below to locate and register for the course. This course does not meet the minimum level of training requirement set for SBVC and does not qualify for compensation according to the CTA MOU on DE Training.

    Introduction to Teaching with Canvas: Self-Paced

  • Level 1 training is a facilitated course with weekly assignments to be submitted as evidence of competency in various areas. The topics covered in Level 1 include Title 5 language related to Distance Education, Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI), accessibility responsibilities, student support and equity, student-to-student interactions and instructor-to-student interactions. Level 1 does not teach you how to use the functions of Canvas. Participants should have a basic knowledge of Canvas functions i.e. how to upload documents, how to navigate modules, etc. prior to taking Level 1.  Without such foundational knowledge, the amount of time required to complete the work in the course will increase significantly. This course satisfies the minimum training requirement at SBVC.

    Note: If you have previously completed Level 1, you are not required to re-take the course to maintain currency. You'll need a Refresher training instead.

    Upcoming Level 1 Trainings (Please register for a specific training by clicking on the link)

    Spring 2026:

    4 Week: January 26, 2026 to February 22, 2026

    8 Week: March 2, 2026 to May 3, 2026

    Summer 2026:

    Registration links for Summer training to be posted by early May.

    4 Week: June 1, 2026 to June 28, 2026

    4 Week: July 6, 2026 to August 2, 2026

  • Details for Level 2 are coming soon!

    Pre-Requisite: You must have current Level 1 certification through completion of Level 1 training, an approved equivalency, or Refresher training within the past three (3) years.

  • After completing initial training through Level 1 or equivalent, a Refresher training session is required every three (3) years to maintain currency. Refresher sessions are offered in January, and may also be scheduled at other times during the year.

    We anticipate offering a Refresher session in May 2026. Additional details will be posted by April 2026.

  • Below is a complete list of all faculty who have either completed the minimum Level 1 DE Training or who have received equivalency, and are approved to teach online. This list should be used to determine faculty qualifications for teaching online courses.


Questions related to Online Teaching training may be directed to the DE Faculty Lead.

If you are interested in other professional development activities regarding online teaching, please contact the Professional Development Faculty Lead at SBVC.

 

Equivalency

San Bernardino Valley College Distance Education maintains reciprocity for Level 1 online training with its sister school, Crafton Hills College. Online Faculty who have completed first level requirements at Crafton Hills will be granted equivalency for San Bernardino Valley College Level 1 training upon request. 

DE Equivalency Logos

Many of the surrounding community colleges have implemented training that may be similar in content to what SBVC is requiring. If you have taken online instructional training through another institution or through @One, you may qualify for equivalency. Level 1 training at SBVC is based on @One's Introduction to Online Teaching & Learning (IOTL) course. If you have taken this specific training or a Refresher update somewhere else within the past three years, the SBVC DE Team will review your certificate and badge for a local training exemption. To do this, please complete the Equivalency Request Form. Attach any evidence, such as certificate or badge to the request. Equivalency reqeust are reviewed weekly. Results are emailed to the faculty, Department Chair, and Division Dean.

As of Spring 2022, minimum level training at Riverside City College (before Fall 2024) and Chaffey College (before Fall 2021) are not equivalent to San Bernardino Valley College's Level 1 training.

 

Equivalent Trainings

Faculty can be confident the following trainings have been vetted and deemed equivalent to the San Bernardino Valley College DE Level 1 Training. To obtain equivalency for any of the trainings below, submit the Equivalency Request Form.

  • Mt. San Antonio College's SPOT certification training (as of Spring 2020)
  • Santa Ana College's Gold Level Training
  • Mount San Jacinto College's SQOT course
  • College of the Desert's Online Certification
  • Victor Valley College's Distance Education instructor Certification (DEIC - post May 2019)
  • Santiago Canyon College's Remote Learning Workshop
  • Cabrillo College's DE Academy
  • The 4CDE Institute (Contra Costa, Diablo Valley, and Laney Colleges)
  • College of the Canyons Online Instructor Certification
  • Orange Coast College Strategies for Teaching and Learning Online (STLO)
  • Chaffey College (starting Fall 2021)
  • Long Beach City College's Online Teaching Seminar 3.0 (starting Spring 2021)
  • Ventura College's Online Teacher Training Course in Canvas
  • Golden West College Level 2 Online Teaching Certification (starting August 2020)
  • Cerritos College Full Online Teaching Certificate (starting January 2024)
  • RCCD Course Design Camp (as of Fall 2024)

 

Equivalency FAQ

  • No, @One's Introduction to Canvas course does not cover breadth and depth of SBVC's Level 1 training, including recent Title 5 changes and updated ACCJC accreditation requirements and standards.

  • Yes, if you have completed the Online Teaching and Learning through @One within the past three years, you will qualify for an eqivalency for Level 1.

  • Yes, if you have completed Certificate in Online Teaching & Design with @One within the past three years, you will qualify for an equivalency for Level 1

Think you meet equivalency? Please complete this form. Equivalency requests are reviewed weekly.