Course FAQs
What are the dates of the course?
This course is self-paced, which means you can complete the content anytime. This run of the course will close on August 31, 2021 -- so be sure to complete all materials by then!
I see that all the due dates are set in UTC. What is UTC?
All of the due dates and times are presented in UTC, which is Coordinated Universal Time, set equivalent to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). To convert the time in UTC to your time zone, please use a time zone converter, such as World Time Server.
How long will this course take?
The duration of the course is eight modules of content. Though it varies by person, this course should be on average 4-6 hours of work per module (i.e. on a weekly basis) . This includes watching all of the video chapters for the lecture, completing the accompanying comprehension questions, doing the accompanying readings, participating in discussion, and taking the reading quiz.
How is the course graded?
Verified students will be graded on their performance in the final exam. The final grade comes 100% from the final, but you are encouraged to participate in the course discussions and comprehension questions.
FINAL EXAM
For the final exam, please remember:
- You will be allowed only two attempts to select the correct answers for multiple choice and “check all that apply” questions.
- You will be allowed only one attempt at the correct answer for True/False questions or multiple choice questions with just two answers.
How do I receive a Certificate?
In order to receive a Verified Certificate, learners must register for it via the edX platform and receive a proficiency score of 70% or higher on the overall course assessments.
Is this course free?
Yes. There is no course fee associated with this course, and it is open to all. If seeking a verified certificate, a fee will be charged. EdX offers financial assistance to those who qualify. To apply for financial assistance to purchase a Verified Certificate, complete the edX Financial Assistance Application.
Is there a deadline to upgrade to the Verified Track?
Yes. Because this is a self-paced course, every learner will have a different deadline, depending on the date you enrolled. You can find your Verification Upgrade Deadline on the right side of this course's Home page, under "important dates." Learn more about upgrading to a Verified Certificate here, and contact the edX Help Center with any questions.
What resources will I need for this class?
A strong internet connection will be helpful, but we will try to ensure materials are available for slower bandwidths as well. The course is optimized to run on the most recent versions of most browsers, and Google Chrome and Safari have been shown to work the best with the platform. No other computer programs or books are necessary. All the readings will be provided as links. Video files, transcripts, and readings are available for download to be read offline.
What kind of background do I need for this course? Do I need an ECD background?
The course is open to all and is accessible to students without prior background or experience in the topics; you do not need to have studied early childhood development beforehand. However the content within the course is dense and complex, structured at a higher level, so we expect most of our students to be at an undergraduate or masters level.
Can I take this class for university credit?
No. While we encourage any professors to incorporate this material into their own courses, you cannot take this course on its own for university credit.
How can I engage with the course beyond the lectures, readings, and quizzes?
In addition to the discussion prompts in each module, we encourage you to use the discussion boards to post thoughts, ask questions, and engage in discussion with fellow learners. Moreover, additional readings, videos, and resources are provided for those who are interested in learning more about a specific topic within the module.
How can I find others who are taking the course?
In addition to the discussion prompts in each module, we encourage you to use the discussion boards to post thoughts, ask questions, and engage in discussion with fellow learners. Moreover, additional readings, videos, and resources are provided for those who are interested in learning more about a specific topic within the module.
Whom do I contact with questions?
For specific questions related to the course, you can email at ecd@sdgacademy.org. This includes any questions about the material or assignments. For technical questions about the platform, please visit the edX Help Center.