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Professional Development Programs • Digital Communications Certificate

Digital Communications Certificate

Earn one Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and a certificate in a flexible and self-paced program.

Digital Communications Certificate

Focus on creating meaningful virtual connections. Brush up on your verbal and non-verbal communications skills and receive tactics to be more effective. Learn about the technology available, how to use it and how to troubleshoot common problems. Get up to speed quickly so that you may communicate more effectively and increase your influence professionally and personally. Earn one Continuing Education Unit and a certificate.

A flexible, self-paced and online certificate. 

Cost: $299
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Please note: Once you have registered the link for the course will be e-mailed to you within five (5) business days.

Participant feedback: “I thought it was very helpful and has impacted how I interact with people over Zoom!”

Creating Meaningful Virtual Connections

We have the power to influence people without even saying a word! Understanding body language and the science of nonverbals is like having a superpower, especially in the virtual world. Learn to create personal connections, develop a thoughtful, people-first approach and communicate effectively in the virtual world for personal and professional success.

Effective Virtual Communication and Technology Know-How

You have the power to lead effective meetings and presentations virtually. In this portion of the course, we get “techy.” Learn about the virtual platforms available along with their pros and cons. Explore the tools available within the platforms and infrastructure needed to run them. Finally, be able to troubleshoot common problems and feel confident in your ability to handle problems when they arise.

1. Non-verbal communication skills and how they apply to the virtual world (1.5 hours) 

  • Trust indicators
  • Purposeful Gazing
  • Vocal Power
  • Fronting
  • Power Posing
  • Understanding space
  • Negative nonverbals

1. Leveraging technology to deliver powerful presentations with confidence (2.5 hours)

  • Infrastructure: Understanding your internet connection: Wi-Fi upload ability, when to use extenders, etc.
  • The most common virtual platforms, such as Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft TEAMS, Web Ex, etc…
  • What they are, how they work
  • Pros and Cons of each platform
    o Mac vs. Windows
  • What external tools do you need to run meetings/work remotely:
    o Be able to answer the question “If I go to Best Buy what should I buy?”  camera, green screen, microphone, headset, etc.
    o How to record and upload to create a video library and granting access after the meeting/presentation

2. Leading effective virtual groups meetings (One hour)

  • Etiquette matters and ways to effectively lead the group
  • Checklist of items to prepare before a meeting
  • Ways to be engaging
  • Priming

2. Presenting and Speaking in a virtual environment (.5 hours)

  • Virtual Platform Tools and how/when to use them
    • Share screen, raise hand, breakout rooms, polling, closed captioning, etc.

3. Communicating your organization’s culture and mission virtually (One hour)

  • First impressions
  • Ways to leverage your brand and virtual backgrounds

3. Video Conferencing (One hour)

  • How to troubleshoot in meetings: What are the common things that go wrong and how to fix them.

4. Presenting and speaking in a virtual environment (One hour)

  • The importance of being seen
  • Presentation tips
  • Using Loom, Canva, Prezi, iMovie, iPhone, etc. to engage with others
  • Web/Slide Accessibility
  • Suggested items – Standing desk, lighting and computer stand

About the Instructor: Kristin Bock

Kristin is a certified body language specialist and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She has over two decades of experience in the caregiving field and has worked in a variety of positions, including a Live-in Manager at a group home, Management Supervisor, Human Resources Specialist, Training Institute Manager and Staff Development Coordinator. Kristin has worked in the non-profit world for more than 25 years and throughout her various positions has become increasingly aware of the true power of body language.

About the Instructor: Michael Patton

Michael is a Lecturer in the Information Systems department within the College of Business at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh Campus. He earned his MBA and MSIS from the UW Oshkosh and his BA in Political Science from the University of Iowa. He has held leadership positions in Information Systems for organizations of varied size and industry for over 20 years.