100% Online CDA Training

We offer both English and Spanish versions of our instructor-led, 6-9 month online training program. Unlike the familiar digital alternatives, our program is competency-based and provides opportunities for participants to apply their learning meaningful to field-based, graded assignments. Participants also interact with one another through discussion forums and complete assessment quizzes to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding, and ability to apply skills to practice scenarios. Atlas Training is intentionally interactive and facilitated by an instructor so that students receive the support that they need to be successful in their learning.  

Atlas Training offers a unique online training model. Where most online training programs focus on short-term content delivery, with immediate knowledge checks to gauge temporary knowledge retention, at Atlas Training we know that content knowledge is meaningless unless it is progressive, cumulative, and provides opportunities for meaningful application. At Atlas Training, we provide Competency-Based Education with experiences that support Learning Transfer.

 

• • • • Competency-Based Education refers to systems of instruction and assessment that are designed to ensure that students learn what they are expected to learn.  In many CDA Training Programs, students obtain training by attending workshops.  Yet, they are never required to put into practice all that they learn in the workshops.  This is due to something called ‘learning transfer’.

 

• • • • Learning Transfer means that training participants can successfully apply the knowledge and skills that they learn in training to their work with young children. For learning transfer to occur, students or training participants must make connections from what they learn in one unit to the next. In Atlas Training, learning content builds from one unit to the next. In addition, participants can practice using what they learn so that they can apply it immediately.

 

• • • • Experiential Learning Model: Atlas Training uses an experiential learning model to structure and design its assignments. This philosophical framework enables learners to develop skills through active participation and ongoing reflection of diverse experiences. Participants complete different types of assignments throughout the course of the program, including video assignments, discussion boards, lesson plans, room layout schematics, and others.

 

One of the key features of Atlas Training for CDA is the degree of learner engagement. Participants interact with a course instructor and peers on the ‘discussion forum’ and they complete ‘assignments’ and ‘reflections’ to build competencies over time.  And, students can expect to receive feedback to support them in their development.

When the participant takes a final multiple-choice quiz at the end of each module, she/he/they has already come to understand the content of the training and how to apply it to practice. This is a unique feature of Atlas Training: Learning is designed to transfer to practice.

Atlas Training provides course designs that use principles of adult learning to ensure that students learn course content, practice content in field settings, demonstrate mastery through quantitative or qualitative assessments, and achieve all desired course outcomes.

 

The training consists of 14 topic-specific units that should each take roughly 2 weeks to complete. For each unit, participants will read 1 chapter from the course textbook, watch a short training video, and then proceed to complete 1 discussion, 2 assignments, and 1 multiple choice quiz.

 

The Atlas Training CDA Program is aligned to the CDA Functional Areas, with each training unit aligning to CDA Functional Area. This cohesive, aligned structure ensures that program participants are able to meet the knowledge and skills requirements of the CDA credential upon completion of the program. Training Units addressed over the course of the program are: Orientation, Safety, Health, Effective Learning Environments, Physical Development, Cognitive Development, Communication, Creativity, Concept of Self, Social Development, Guidance, Families, Program Management, and Professionalism.

 

Portfolio and Candidacy Coaching: At Atlas Training, we truly believe in supporting our participants from beginning to end! Once their training is complete, participants are assigned a Candidacy Coach who provides the following supports: 1) meets with the participant to review the portfolio requirements, 2) sets timeline goals for portfolio completion; 3) checks in with the participant to monitor portfolio progress; 4) reviews the completed portfolio and provides feedback and recommendations; 5) meets with the participant to complete the CDA and OEC/EIP applications; 6) coordinates with the participant to schedule the CDA exam and observation visit. 

As with any journey we take in life, being prepared with the right supplies and tools can make the difference between success and failure. It is important that you make sure you have the following items before you begin your CDA journey:

 

• Practicum site (i.e. early childhood center, group home) in your desired aged group in which to complete field assignments. The site does not need to be NAEYC accredited (though accredited programs are preferable), but the site MUST be licensed by relevant local/state regulatory agencies. You will need to work directly with your employer or practicum site manager to complete any necessary background checks and medical evaluations. Any related fees will be your responsibility!

 

• Have a working computer/laptop and reliable internet connection to access course materials. At a minimum, your computer should have a word processing program such as MS Word, and an internet browser. It is not possible to successfully complete this course using only a smartphone!

 

• Purchase course textbook: Text information will be provided upon registration. The course textbook is required for the CDA program, as many of the course readings and assignments are closely linked to the text.