Intervener Microcredential and NICE Certification Training Module

Welcome! Thank you for your interest in intervener certification. This training packet was developed for interveners interested in applying for an Intervener Microcredential or National Intervener Certification E-portfolio (NICE) as well as for individuals who serve as mentors to interveners.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this training module, you should be able to:

• Describe the purpose of e-portfolios.
• Review the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC) knowledge and skill competencies for interveners.
• Discuss the meaning of the competencies as they relate to your practice.
• Describe how to create artifacts using different forms of documentation.
• Outline strategies for effective mentoring.

Module Organization

This module provides:

• Important Resources and Essential forms for Intervener Microcredential and NICE process
• Learning activities consisting of slide decks as well as related handouts and forms.

The training content is structured to be flexible for you. There are 4 main ways you can access content- you can also mix and match too!

1. View the links and follow the training as it is laid out here
2. Download all the documents as PPT, Word, or PDF files, or
3. Access essential documentation and handouts via the cloud below
4. Listen to the training in Podcast form (coming soon!)

Important Handouts and Essential Forms:

Candidates interested in pursuing microcredential must review the resources and essential documents forms before starting the microcredential and certification process. Unfamiliarity with these may delay and complicate the process for interveners. The learning activities in this module explain the purpose and use of these documents in detail. It is recommended that these resources and forms are downloaded and kept handy while completing the learning activities as these will need to be constantly referred to.

Essential Documentation

Handouts

Introduction

Let's begin by reviewing the need for Intervener certification, along with a preliminary introduction to the Intervener Microcredential and the NICE Certification process

There are two slide decks in this section:

• An Introduction to Intervener Microcredential and NICE
• Steps to the Intervener Micocredential and NICE Certification
  • Steps to Certification Handou (overview)
  • Steps to Certification Handout (in-depth)

Learning Activity 2: Creating Your Microcredential Portfolio

This slide deck provides an overview of the elements of a microcredential e-portfolio, the candidate-mentor relationship, and the importance of that relationship to portfolio development.

Slide Deck: Overview of the Microcredential and Certification Process

Handouts:

• Intervener Microcredential and NICE Policies and Procedures
• Roles and Responsibilities of Candidates and Collaborators

Forms:

• Media Release
• Candidate Information Form
• Mentor Information Form
• About Me

Learning Activity 3: Developing Artifacts

This next slide deck is the longest and most detailed one in this packet. It explains what an artifact is and the tasks of artifact development: selecting competencies; collecting appropriate documentation (evidence) to show mastery of the competencies; and, writing explanations.

Slide Deck: Developing Artifacts for Your Microcredential

Handouts:

• Portfolio Documentation Information and Formats
• Explanation and Portfolio Prompts

Learning Activity 4: Templates For Artifact Creation

In this slide deck, you will learn about what can and cannot be changed in the artifact templates and how to compress the files for uploading at the time of submission.

• Slide Deck: Templates for Portfolio Creation
• Handouts: Media Release

Learning Activity 5: Portfolio Review

Once a candidate has submitted and completed his or her portfolio, the Paraprofessional Resource and Research Center assigns reviewers to evaluate and score the artifacts.

Slide Deck: Microcredential Submission and Review

Handouts:

• Scoring Rubric
• How to Compress Files

Forms:

• Media Release
• Portfolio Submission Form
• Review Recommendation

Learning Activity 6: Guidance For Mentors

In this slide deck, we move from the candidate’s perspective to the mentor’s and address how mentors can provide appropriate support to candidates as they develop their portfolios. Slide Presentation: Effective Mentoring

Slide Deck: Effective Mentoring

What's Next?

Once you have completed the learning activities and reviewed all the handouts and forms, contact your assigned mentor or your state deaf-blind project or college/university and follow the steps below:

• Set up a meeting time with your mentor to ask questions and share initial ideas.
• Share your completed Candidate Information Form with your mentor.
• Create a timeline that includes your portfolio submission date and intermediate deadlines and discuss the plan with your mentor.

If you have further questions or need more information, contact ritu.chorpa@ucdenver.edu