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Alternative Pathways to SPOT

Faculty can meet the requirement to be distance learning certified by demonstrating SPOT-equivalent training in multiple ways described below. The first method,  completion of an acceptable external training through the California Community College's Professional Development program, @ONE accompanied with a sample course, or completion of CVC alignment and receiving a quality badge on an online asynchronous course through the peer online course review (POCR) process is considered equal to SPOT. If you have completed local training at another community college that has been found equivalent to our SPOT training, you can expedite your SPOT process using the SPOT Equivalency process, in which you still submit work to demonstrate your knowledge. Read more on each process below.

  • Acceptable External Trainings

    Faculty can meet Mt. SAC’s SPOT requirement by completing/earning any one of the following external training certifications/badges: 

    Before deciding to complete one of these courses/certifications in lieu of SPOT, ensure that the course is being offered, that there are seats available, and that it will finish in time to submit a sample course, have it reviewed, and for you to be scheduled to teach online in your department.  Check with your department and division for this date.  We recommend that you register for these courses/certifications using your Mt. SAC email address. They are free for CCC professors. 

    Once you’ve earned one of the above badges or certificates, complete the SPOT Sign-Up form and select XSPOT. This form can be found below in the Canvas Faculty Center (Canvas sign-in required), in the POD Connect Featured Training section (sign-in required) or in the Mt. SAC portal (sign-in required).

    You will need your Mt. SAC email address and A number (employee number from your portal), and evidence of course completion that includes a date, your name, and the course name. This may be:

    • Link to electronic badge (with your name or Mt. SAC email address), or
    • Certificate of completion document (with your name or Mt. SAC email address), or
    • Link to website documenting your CVC quality-reviewed badge or certification. 

    For links, you may need to write the link in a document to attach to the form. Once we validate your badge/certification, you may be done. For IAOTL, we will set you up with a empty Canvas shell where you can submit your sample course for review.

    Once the course is successfully reviewed, we will add you to the SPOT-certified faculty list.  Please allow time for this process.  We do not accept college versions of @ONE training. However, if you have earned certification from another college you may qualify for SPEQ (SPOT Equivalency).  Please contact Ann Walker (ann.walker@mtsac.edu) with your questions about SPOT, XSPOT, or SPEQ. 

    Submit your @ONE badge or certificate here

  • SPOT Equivalency (SPEQ)

    Faculty can earn Mt. SAC SPOT Equivalency (SPEQ) by meeting both of the following requirements.

    1. The faculty member received online training from a training program approved by the Distance Learning Committee, and
    2. The faculty member submits a course shell for an expedited review by a Mt. SAC SPOT reviewer, who verifies that key criteria for distance learning at Mt. SAC are met.

    SPOT Equivalency is only granted after the faculty member submits documentation of training and passes the Canvas course review.

    SPEQ Review Process

      • 1Make sure your college's training has been approved

        Approved Colleges as of Fall 2024

        • Cerritos College
        • Chaffey College
        • Citrus College
        • Coastline College
        • College of the Canyons
        • College of the Desert
        • Cypress College
        • Fullerton College
        • Glendale College
        • Long Beach City College
        • Los Angeles Community College District
          • East Los Angeles College
          • Los Angeles City College
          • Los Angeles Harbor College
          • Los Angeles Mission College
          • Pierce College
          • Los Angeles Southwest College
          • Los Angeles Trade-Tech College
          • Los Angeles Valley College
          • West Los Angeles College
        • Merced College
        • Orange Coast College
        • Oxnard College
        • Pasadena City College
        • Rio Hondo College
        • Riverside Community College District
          • Moreno Valley College
          • Riverside Community College
          • Norco College
        • Saddleback College
        • Santa Monica College
        • San Diego Community College District
          • San Diego City College
          • San Diego Mesa College
          • San Diego Miramar College
          • San Diego College of Continuing Education
        • San Mateo Community College District
          • Cañada College
          • College of San Mateo
          • Skyline College
        • Santa Ana College
        • Santiago Canyon College
        • Southwestern College

        Why don't I see my college?

        With 116 community colleges in the CCCCO system, Mt. SAC is in the process of conducting equivalency reviews for other colleges.  Before being added to the approved list, the Distance Learning Committee (DLC) must evaluate training components.  This process was approved by the Academic Senate at its December 2, 2021 meeting.

      • 2Complete SPOT application

        Complete the SPOT Sign-up Form, and select "SPEQ." This form can be found below in the Canvas Faculty Center (Canvas sign-in required), in the POD Connect Featured Training section (sign-in required) or in the Mt. SAC portal (sign-in required).

        You will need a Mt. SAC email address and A number, along with your evidence of training completion from the last 4 years with your name, the college, the training name, and the date completed. 

          • Link to electronic badge, or
          • Upload certificate of completion, or
          • Link to college website listing certified faculty.

        Within a few days you’ll receive an invitation to your SPEQ course Canvas shell where you can demonstrate your knowledge.

        Submit Certification for SPOT Equivalency (SPEQ) Review

      • 3Create your SPEQ course, self-check it, and submit your completed rubric
        • Copy the course you want reviewed into the SPEQ shell for review.
          • You will also receive an invitation to a sample SPEQ course which contains further explanation of the requirements. You can use it as a resource as you finalize your course for review.
        • Perform a self-check of your course.
            • Using the rubric provided in the SPEQ course, complete the rubric and checklist in detail, including specific locations for listed components. Make sure all requirements are met.
            • Run a UDOIT report and correct accessibility issues.
        • Submit your completed rubric by uploading it at the designated page in your SPEQ course, and email the Assistant Distance Learning Coordinator, Ann Walker (ann.walker@mtsac.edu), to inform her of your submission.  She will assign you a reviewer who will review your course and contact you with feedback.
Questions?
Please contact the Assistant Distance Learning Coordinator, Ann Walker (ann.walker@mtsac.edu) with your SPOT, External Training, or SPOT equivalency questions.

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