This section provides information about the Pacific Partnership for Open, Distance and Flexible Learning, and the Digital Skills for Teaching in the 21st Century (DS4TC21) online course.
About the Pacific Partnership for Open, Distance and Flexible Learning
Partnership for Open, Distance and Flexible Learning (ODFL) in the Pacific is a 5-year project (2020 – 2025) funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade to support enhancing capacity and efficiency of education sectors in the Pacific through greater use of innovative delivery mechanisms and technology.
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL), together with the Pacific Centre for Flexible and Open Learning for Development (PACFOLD) are implementing the initiative.
About DS4TC21
This course equips Pacific TVET and secondary teachers with practical digital skills to enhance inclusive, engaging, and ethical teaching using everyday technologies and online tools. Upon successful completion of the microcourse, participants will be able to integrate digital tools into hands-on, competency-based teaching to improve learner engagement, increase accessibility, and promote responsible digital citizenship, particularly in low-resource and blended learning environments relevant to their own teaching settings. The course is designed with flexibility in mind, offering two entry points to match your experience and confidence with digital tools.
| Course code
|
DS4TC21
|
| Learning Pathways
|
Pathway 1: Start at Module 0
Ideal for teachers who are new to digital tools.
Pathway 2: Start at Module 1
Ideal for those who are already comfortable with basic tools and want to build deeper skills.
|
| Duration
|
1 to 5 weeks, depending on your chosen learning pathway:
- Module 0 only: 1 week
- Modules 1–4: 4 weeks
- Modules 0–4: 5 weeks
|
| Workload
|
6–8 hours per week
|
| Badges
|
5 badges (1 per module, awarded upon completion of each modules learning challenge)
|
| Certification
|
Certificate of Achievement (awarded to learners who complete only Module 0 by successfully its learning challenge and then exit the course)
Certificate of Completion (awarded to learners who complete Modules 1–4 or all modules 0–4 by successfully completing the learning challenges for each module)
Note: If you complete the full course (Modules 1–4 or Modules 0–4), you will not receive two certificates. Only the Certificate of Completion will be awarded. A separate Certificate of Achievement for Module 0 will not be issued. The Certificate of Achievement is awarded exclusively to learners who complete Module 0 and then exit the course.
|
Choosing your learning pathway
This course offers two flexible entry points. You may choose the one that best matches your experience and confidence level with digital technologies.
Pathway 1 – Start at Module 0
Ideal if you have limited experience using digital tools. This pathway introduces practical strategies for using everyday technologies such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops to enhance classroom teaching. You may choose to complete only Module 0 to earn a Certificate of Achievement, or continue to Modules 1 to 4 to work toward full certification.
Pathway 2 – Start at Module 1
This pathway is designed for you if you’re already using digital tools and want to strengthen your skills in web-based applications and effective digital teaching practices. You can begin directly at Module 1, or optionally complete Module 0 as a refresher before continuing. Completing Modules 1 to 4 will earn you a Certificate of Completion.
Not sure where to begin? We recommend starting with Module 0, especially if you’re new to using digital tools in teaching. It’s a short, practical introduction that gives you confidence before diving into more advanced skills in later modules.
Certificates and Digital Badges
This course offers two types of recognition for your learning achievements:
- Certificates for completing specific module pathways
- Digital badges for successfully completing the learning challenge in each module
Certificates
- Certificate of Achievement – awarded if you complete only Module 0 and its learning challenge, then exit the course.
- Certificate of Completion – awarded if you complete Modules 1–4 or all Modules 0–4, including all learning challenges.
Note: If you complete the full course, from Module 0 to Module 4, or complete Modules 1 to 4 only, you will receive only the Certificate of Completion. A separate Certificate of Achievement for Module 0 will not be issued.
Digital Badges
| Module
|
Digital badge
|
Requirement
|
| Module 0
|
Everyday Technology Champion
|
Design a lesson plan using around the use of technology.
|
| Module 1
|
Digital Competence Builder
|
Identify and resolve one potential issue from your configured collaborative tool and prepare a brief guide for secure use of the tool.
|
| Module 2
|
Inclusive Learning Designer
|
Create a mini-lesson plan for your equipment safety lesson.
|
| Module 3
|
Interactive Content Creator
|
Design a one-page teaching poster using Canva for any topic you teach or support learners in.
|
| Module 4
|
Ethical Digital Educator
|
Design a short assessment for learners in your trade area that focuses on equipment safety.
|
For full details, please visit the Certification section.
Prerequisites
Any teacher is free and welcome to participate in this course. The course will be conducted in English. We recommend that you have:
- Access to a personal computer for 6 – 8 hours per week.
- Basic computer skills (saving files in different formats, setting up and deleting folders, starting programs, etc.).
- Access to the internet for 6 – 8 hours per week while working online on the course.
- Basic skills in navigating websites using a browser.
This section provides information about the Pacific Partnership for Open, Distance and Flexible Learning, and the Digital Skills for Teaching in the 21st Century (DS4TC21) online course.
About the Pacific Partnership for Open, Distance and Flexible Learning
Partnership for Open, Distance and Flexible Learning (ODFL) in the Pacific is a 5-year project (2020 – 2025) funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade to support enhancing capacity and efficiency of education sectors in the Pacific through greater use of innovative delivery mechanisms and technology.
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL), together with the Pacific Centre for Flexible and Open Learning for Development (PACFOLD) are implementing the initiative.
About DS4TC21
This course equips Pacific TVET and secondary teachers with practical digital skills to enhance inclusive, engaging, and ethical teaching using everyday technologies and online tools. Upon successful completion of the microcourse, participants will be able to integrate digital tools into hands-on, competency-based teaching to improve learner engagement, increase accessibility, and promote responsible digital citizenship, particularly in low-resource and blended learning environments relevant to their own teaching settings. The course is designed with flexibility in mind, offering two entry points to match your experience and confidence with digital tools.
Ideal for teachers who are new to digital tools.
Pathway 2: Start at Module 1
Ideal for those who are already comfortable with basic tools and want to build deeper skills.
Certificate of Completion (awarded to learners who complete Modules 1–4 or all modules 0–4 by successfully completing the learning challenges for each module)
Note: If you complete the full course (Modules 1–4 or Modules 0–4), you will not receive two certificates. Only the Certificate of Completion will be awarded. A separate Certificate of Achievement for Module 0 will not be issued. The Certificate of Achievement is awarded exclusively to learners who complete Module 0 and then exit the course.
Choosing your learning pathway
This course offers two flexible entry points. You may choose the one that best matches your experience and confidence level with digital technologies.
Pathway 1 – Start at Module 0
Ideal if you have limited experience using digital tools. This pathway introduces practical strategies for using everyday technologies such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops to enhance classroom teaching. You may choose to complete only Module 0 to earn a Certificate of Achievement, or continue to Modules 1 to 4 to work toward full certification.
Pathway 2 – Start at Module 1
This pathway is designed for you if you’re already using digital tools and want to strengthen your skills in web-based applications and effective digital teaching practices. You can begin directly at Module 1, or optionally complete Module 0 as a refresher before continuing. Completing Modules 1 to 4 will earn you a Certificate of Completion.
Not sure where to begin? We recommend starting with Module 0, especially if you’re new to using digital tools in teaching. It’s a short, practical introduction that gives you confidence before diving into more advanced skills in later modules.
Certificates and Digital Badges
This course offers two types of recognition for your learning achievements:
Certificates
Note: If you complete the full course, from Module 0 to Module 4, or complete Modules 1 to 4 only, you will receive only the Certificate of Completion. A separate Certificate of Achievement for Module 0 will not be issued.
Digital Badges
For full details, please visit the Certification section.
Prerequisites
Any teacher is free and welcome to participate in this course. The course will be conducted in English. We recommend that you have:
Project lead
Supported by
Development Partner