Specialized Educator Certificate in LTC: Level One

This free certificate will help long-term care (LTC) educators upgrade their knowledge and skills, be deliberate about the skills they want to develop, and get support through experiential learning and peer support. Learn more.

Level One covers adult education best practices and innovative educational approaches specific to the LTC sector.

Why send your leaders?

Schedule

Synchronous sessions are online and last 90 minutes. Up to two hours weekly of self-directed learning in a serious educational game will be required to complete session activities. There will be pre-course materials and orientation for students.

Dates (Synchronous sessions will take place on Tuesdays. There will be a choice of morning or afternoon sessions)

Mandatory Game orientation: Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Optional Game Support Office Hours: Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Session 1:Tuesday, April 18 2023
Session 2:Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Session 3:Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Session 4:Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Session 5:Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Session 6:Tuesday, June 27, 2023

*One 60 minute office hour session will be offered following each synchronous session

What Will You Be Learning About?

Adult learning principles that advance LTC learning and practice to meet individual, team and organizational needs.
The Ontario CLRI six-step educator competency framework for LTC and how to apply it in practice.
Ontario CLRI educational innovations and products that can be used to meet LTC team practice improvement goals.
Ways to create and deliver education that is psychologically safe, goal-directed, inclusive, experiential, and relational.
Using evaluation to improve the positive influence of education in your practice setting.

How will you learn?

Synchronous sessions:

Mandatory game orientation session
Seven x 90 minute virtual synchronous sessions (morning and afternoon groups)
Includes facilitated discussions and a chance to connect with a community of learners
Introduction to Ontario CLRI tools, resources and products
Virtual office hours to provide additional support

Serious Educational Game:

Meta-game world narrative
Library of tools and resources
Case-based learning
Simulation-based learning

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from LTC team members who:

Are employed in long-term care in Ontario at the time of registration
Plan, coordinate, and/or deliver education for LTC team members
Able to attend the synchronous coaching sessions and invest 1.5 hours weekly towards playing the serious educational game

What are the Completion Requirements?

In order to receive the Specialized Educator Certificate of Completion you will need to:

Attend the mandatory game orientation
Attend at least 6 of 7 synchronous sessions (You can attend office hours as a make-up session if needed)
Complete all levels in the Serious Educational Game platform

Specialized Educator Certificate in LTC (SECL) – FAQs

Here you can find answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the Specialized Educator Certificate in LTC (SECL) and the application process.

1. When does the SECL take place?

You can find the key dates and other SECL details here: Key Dates and SECL Details

2. What is the cost of the SECL?

The SECL is a free program which builds individual and organizational educational capacity

3. Who can apply for the SECL?

We welcome applications from LTC team members who:

Are employed in long-term care in Ontario at the time of registration
Plan, coordinate and/or deliver education for LTC team members
Able to commit to 90 minutes of class time weekly between April 4, 2023 and April 18, 2023 and bi-weekly between April 18, 2023 and June 27, 2023.
Are able to commit up to two hours of weekly serious gamified learning outside of class

4. Do I need to start with level one?

Through consultation there was a collective decision for all learners to begin with level 1 no matter their prior education. As the role of ‘educator’ in long-term care is varied, there is a need to create a base level of shared knowledge amongst team members. We will be exploring how to apply long-term care educational innovations in practice; specifically Ontario CLRI products.

5. If the SECL is completely virtual, what will the learning format be?

The learning format has two parts:

Synchronous virtual group sessions with an Ontario CLRI facilitator
Asynchronous simulation and case-based inquiry in LIPHA, a serious educational game

6. What is the overall time commitment for the SECL program?

The program runs for 12 weeks and is equivalent to 4 business days

Synchronous sessions: 12 hrs total
- 1 x 90 minute game orientation session
- 7 x 90 minute sessions
Asynchronous serious educational game participation: Approximately 18 hrs. total
- 1.5 hrs. of game play per week

7. What time of day will the synchronous sessions take place?

There will be a morning (10:30 AM-12:00 PM) and an afternoon session (3:30-5:00 PM). When submitting your application, please indicate your preference based on your availability.

8. What is a Serious Educational Game?

Serious educational games have benefits based on neuroscience, emotional design and learning science and use game structures and mechanics to achieve desired learning objectives. Through the LIPHA serious educational game, simulated cases and real scenarios are incorporated to create a cohesive and engaging learning experience.

9. What is LIPHA?

A software application that integrates simulation and case-based inquiry grounded in a serious educational game and digital open world learning. Accepted applicants will receive access to this platform, and be shown how to use it during Session 1. You will complete case scenarios in the game and will find all the resources used during Level 1 on this platform, including: session recordings, tools, readings etc. More information on the app can be found here.

10. Who are the “experts” who developed the program to meet the needs of the sector?

This program was developed by experts from the following organizations:

Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO)
Family Councils Ontario (FCO)
Long Term Care and Adult Day Services, Region of Peel
Ontario Association of Residents’ Council (OARC)
Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long Term Care (Ontario CLRI)
Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO)
Senior’s Services and Long-Term Care, City of Toronto
University Health Network, Toronto Rehab

11. Who will be facilitating the program?

Interprofessional Educators from the Baycrest Ontario CLRI will be facilitating the program.

12. How will you select who will get to participate in the program?

We will ensure equitable access to team members and homes. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of Ontario CLRI team members. We encourage you to apply no matter what stage in your career you are.

13. Can I participate in the SECL if I live outside of Canada/Ontario?

The SECL is only open to employees at Ontario Long-term Care homes.

14. What technology will I be using?

a. Zoom

b. Personal Computer, laptop or tablet with internet access

15. What if I have other questions?

You can contact the Ontario CLRI at ontarioclri@baycrest.org

SECL Application FAQ Sheet

1. Where can I find the application form?

The application is to be completed online at the SECL application.

2. How many learners will be accepted into the inaugural session?

We will accept 40 long term care educators from across Ontario.

3. Why do you want my supervisor’s contact information?

Having supervisor support will make this training more successful and we will notify them that you have been selected for this opportunity.

4. What is the last day to apply?

The last day to apply for the SECL is February 3rd, 2023.

5. Where do I upload reference letters?

We are not accepting any reference letters in the application process.

6. When will I be contacted if I am accepted to the program?

All applicants who are accepted to the program will be contacted no later than February 13, 2023.

7. How do I check my download and upload internet speed?

Please use the following websites to check your speed. You may want to run the test several times to get an accurate reading.

8. What if I have a low upload and download speed after I take the test? Will this impact my application?

These data are being used for information only and will not impact your application.

9. I’m having trouble accessing the application form, is there another way to fill it out?

You can contact the Ontario CLRI at ontarioclri@baycrest.org and we will email you a copy of the application to fill out.

10. What are the best browsers to use during the application?

Chrome and Firefox are the best options to use.

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