COBIMET’S Distance Education Online Certification for Librarians: Participants Assessment and Satisfaction Survey Results

Abstract

This viewpoint article presents the development and outcomes of a distance education certification offered in 2022 by the Consorcio de Bibliotecas Metropolitanas (COBIMET) for librarians in Puerto Rico. The program's inception was driven by the need to equip librarians with the skills and knowledge required to effectively support learners and educators in the evolving landscape of online education, technology, and information access. The certification consisted of five modules covering topics such as Learning Through Distance Education, Information and Communication Technology and the Internet, Assessment and Evaluation, and Instructional Design. The findings from the online satisfaction survey indicate that the program has met high levels of participant satisfaction, particularly in terms of course design, content, assessment methods, and overall delivery. Twenty-two (22) out of the 27 participants completed the certification (81% retention rate). Pre-test results showed that only 40% of participants scored 80% or more correct answers at the beginning of the certification, while at the end of the certification, 100% of participants scored 80% or more.
Participants' constructive feedback has provided insights for program enhancements and expansion to a broader group of library professionals.