What is the Scale-up Learning Center SLC? 

The Scale-up Learning Center (SLC) is ExpandNet’s online, open-source platform for global health and development professionals to learn about scaling up successful approaches and best practices, using a curriculum based on ExpandNet’s systematic approach. The SLC is designed to strengthen expertise during all stages along a scaling trajectory from the earliest stages of testing an intervention package, to developing a scale-up strategy, and to strategically managing the scaling-up process to ensure sustainable impact.

Who is the intended audience for the SLC? 

The SLC is designed for a diverse audience that includes anyone who wishes to increase their understanding of what works to ensure successful and sustainable scale up. The main intended audience are global health and development professionals. SLC learners will become acquainted with guidance tools and resources that can support scale-up work to proceed more systematically and effectively, rather than in an ad hoc way. ExpandNet hopes for the SLC to benefit a wide range of professionals, including: policy makers; governmental and ministerial program managers and staff; representatives of national and international NGOs; civil society, faith-based and community-based organizations; donors and funders; academics, researchers – and anyone else with an interest in learning more about successful scale up of evidence-based initiatives.

I heard that ExpandNet primarily focuses on health, but I work in the education (or agriculture or another) sector. Is the SLC for me?

While ExpandNet/WHO’s guidance tools were initially developed based on global health scaling experience, and specifically on family planning and reproductive health, over the last decade plus, these tools have been applied across many other sectors, including education, natural resource conservation, food security/sustainable agriculture, water and sanitation and others. These applications have validated the applicability of ExpandNet/WHO’s framework across diverse development areas and therefore we feel confident that professionals from across global health and development sectors can benefit from engaging with the SLC. Further, SLC content has been intentionally designed to be as versatile and generic as possible. Even while you may hear about health sector examples more frequently, the principles, concepts and lessons presented are applicable across a broad array of sectors and activities.

Is there any cost to register as an SLC learner?  

There is no cost to register as a learner in the SLC. All the resources and learning opportunities provided in the SLC are available completely free of charge to you and your colleagues, with the exception of the Mentor Track which, while available without any cost, requires an application and has limited availability.

Are there prerequisites for enrolling in the SLC?  

While there are no prerequisites for the SLC curriculum, familiarity with implementation in a global health or development subject area is highly useful. This is because while the SLC is written generically to be useful for a wide range of learners, it is most helpful to have some practical experience to reflect upon while going through the curriculum. The reading level of the curriculum is generally aimed at university- or postgraduate-level learners.

Is the SLC only available in English? Are there plans for other languages?

While the first version of the SLC is developed in English, we envision future versions will soon follow in French, Spanish, and ideally Portuguese. We even aspire to have an Arabic version someday! ExpandNet members live in many countries and speak many languages and we plan to work collaboratively to ensure that the SLC is broadly useful across the globe so that capacity to use a systematic approach to scale-up can be more widely held across different language and learning needs.  If you would like to be notified of when a certain language offering becomes available, send us a note to SLC@expandnet.net.

How is the SLC curriculum organized?  

The SLC is composed of an introductory module and three core modules, each corresponding to a phase of ExpandNet’s systematic approach to scale up. Within each module, you will find diverse resources including videos, transcripts, readings, guidance tools, example narratives, agendas, presentation templates, exercises and real-life case examples from around the world. These resources collectively are intended to provide insights and deepen your understanding and proficiency in working effectively on scaling up. You will benefit from access to the practical experience of scaling implementers from various parts of the world. At the end of each module an assessment is available to gauge comprehension and reinforce your understanding of key concepts covered.

How can I register as an SLC learner and what choices do I have about  which learning track to pursue?  

You can enroll at any time for the Self-guided and Certificate Tracks by clicking here, or selecting “Ready to Register?” on any page of the SLC, completing the requested information and following the next steps. You will have the option to select from three main learning tracks: Self-guided, Certificate, or Team Track as follows.

• Self-Guided Track: Designed for learners seeking a quick overview of SLC features and/or guidance on scaling up for specific topics. This track offers efficient exploration and insights.
• Certificate Track: Tailored for learners aiming to establish a strong grasp of fundamental scaling principles. Participants in this track are motivated to obtain documentation of their completion of the curriculum and their comprehensive knowledge of core scale-up issues.
• Team Track: Designed for collaborative exploration among colleagues from governmental and non-governmental entities, the track facilitates collective learning and strategic planning, bolstering internal capacity and fostering a “scaling up mindset.” It encourages discussions and cross-learning, while teams can access coaching from scaling experts through the ExpandNet Secretariat (secretariat@expandnet.net) for enhanced application of scaling principles.

In addition to the above three tracks, a Mentor Track is available for a small group of learners who wish to delve deeper into the content, with coaching from existing ExpandNet technical advisors from around the world. SLC Mentor Track learners will be trained and equipped as facilitators who can provide technical support to others on scaling-up in their countries, regions and at the global level. Therefore some experience with scaling up, and/or holding an appropriate professional role will be required to apply. Enrollment in this track is limited and requires submitting a completed application to the ExpandNet Secretariat. To learn more about eligibility for the mentor track, please contact secretariat@expandnet.net.

What are the learning objectives of the SLC curriculum? 

The SLC is designed with the following learning objectives in mind:

1. Define the concept of scaling up and understand why it is important for achieving impact
2. Understand what is a systematic approach to scale and its importance for successful sustainability and scale up
3. Become familiar with the available tools from ExpandNet/WHO (and other relevant sources) and understand their appropriate application throughout the scale-up process.
4. Gain an understanding of how to guide a scale-up initiative through the three phases using existing guidance.user
5. Analyze case studies of scaling-up initiatives using ExpandNet guidance.

What if I/we only want to work on one SLC module – for example Module 2 on “How to develop a scaling-up strategy”? 

Each module in the SLC is designed as a stand-alone resource to support you and your colleagues with your scaling journey. We expect that most Self Guided and Team Track users initially will only want to work through the module most relevant to them at that point in time, even while we hope they will come back move on to study the entire curriculum.

We hope that Team Track learners in particular will be motivated to study the entire curriculum at a future point to take stock of their activities and gain a wider foundation of systematic scale up to inform future scale up work. Team Track learners are encouraged to be in touch with the ExpandNet Secretariat to benefit from advice on how to make the most effective use of the platform.

Can I switch from the Self-Guided Track to the Certificate Track after starting my work in the SLC?

Yes! If you initially registered as a Self-Guided learner and want to transition to the Certificate Track, you can do so without losing your progress to date. You also can switch from the Certificate Track to the Self-Guided track at any time. Switching midstream to a more intensive track will require you to complete all learning checks and assessments to enable us to assess if you have a comprehensive understanding of the content. This may require you to re-review module content. Any shifts you might want to make between tracks can be done in your Learner Profile.

If here is a possibility you may want to complete the entire curriculum and obtain your certificate, we encourage you to register as a Certificate-Track learner. You will have a year from the time of registration to complete the entire curriculum, and if you need more time, you can simply write a request for extension to us at slc@expandnet.net.

Can I switch from the Self-Guided or Certificate Track to the Team Track?

Definitely! And we strongly encourage you to engage in your SLC learning together with colleagues because it will enrich your – and their – absorption of the content. The Team Track is developed as a space to work through real-time scaling issues and to do applied work that has real-life, and hopefully immediate, relevance. To read more about how the Team Track works, click here.

If I am pursuing a Certificate of Completion, do I have to complete the SLC modules in order? 

No, a Certificate Track learner does not have to complete the modules in order. However, while the curriculum is self-paced and can be worked through in any order, we recommend following our logical progression through the modules to ensure a comprehensive understanding of scaling up. Of course you can revisit any module or topic, or skip around. You can also repeat modules, parts or sections to reinforce your knowledge and skills or explore specific areas of interest more deeply. There is no limit to the number of times you can work through SLC resources.

CERTIFICATES

What types of certificates are available?  

The SLC provides two different “certificates of completion”: one for Certificate-Track learners and one for Mentor-Track learners. These certificates are awarded to individuals who have successfully completed the entire curriculum and achieved a minimum passing score (80%) on all learning checks and assessments. We are currently working with LinkedIn to enable you to add your certificate to your profile. If you have already completed your certificate and wish to be informed about the availability of this service kindly notify the ExpandNet Secretariat at secretariat@expandnet.net.

* Do I have to take and pass all the learning checks and assessments to earn a certificate?

Yes, successful completion of the learning checks and assessments – with at least 80% correct answers on each – is required to earn a certificate. The good news is that you can re-review the material and retake learning checks and assessments multiple times, ensuring you can demonstrate your understanding and achieve your certificate.

Does my Certificate ever expire?

Yes! Certificates will need to be renewed every 18 months to ensure the content is still fresh for you. Experience has shown that repeated exposure over time is helpful as your learning priorities and focus evolve.

We will let you know via email a few months before your certificate expires. This notification will outline the requirements for renewing your certificate.  We very much want everyone to keep their certificates up to date and will work with you to make sure that this is convenient and possible for you.

Can I receive CME or CEU credits for the SLC curriculum?  

As of late 2023 we do not offer professional development, continuing medical education or continuing education unit credits for completing the SLC curriculum, though this may be an offering in future. If you have completed your certificate and would like to be notified if and when this service becomes available, please inform the ExpandNet Secretariat at secretariat@expandnet.net.

Can I engage with a coach and/or other peer learners in the SLC? 

SLC learners who register for the Certificate, Teams and Mentor Tracks will all have access to our SLC Community space, where we hope to foster lively sharing of scale up learnings with a community of peers across countries, regions and the world. At this stage, Self-Guided learners are not envisioned to be invited to join the SLC Community. In addition to the Community access, SLC learners will be able to engage in multiple communication channels with ExpandNet leaders including email, in-platform announcements, online chat, and even periodic Zoom webinars and video conferences.

Team Track learners will have the opportunity to interact asynchronously with their teams on special analyses and projects and can reach out to the ExpandNet Secretariat for suggestions of how to take full advantage of their work using the platform. For those in the Mentor Track, ongoing communication with one or more scaling-up coaches is an essential part of the Mentor-certification process. To read more about the Mentor Track, visit this page.

When can I start the SLC curriculum and is there a fixed schedule?

For the majority of learners, the SLC curriculum allows you to register and begin your studies at your convenience, without specific start- or ending dates. This enables you to progress at your preferred pace and adapt your studies to your schedule and commitments. Of course if you will be working through the Team Track with colleagues, there will likely be a need for your team to agree on a timeline for moving through sections of the curriculum together. Write to the Secretariat to receive advice on how to maximize the Team Track at secretariat@expandnet.net.

Is it possible to work through the SLC with others who do similar work as me?

In the coming years, we intend to periodically invite and organize cohort groups of learners (i.e. implementers, donors, CEOs/EDs, Mentors, etc) who will start together. These cohorts may be organized by start date, region or other common reason. Such groups working together is intended to stimulate sharing and facilitate interactive comparative learning. If you would like our help to organize and run one of these sessions, please let us know! We will announce any open opportunities that we are organizing through email or the platform in case you or someone you wish to refer would like to participate.

Will I get access to the full curriculum all at once? 

Upon registering as an SLC learner, you will immediately gain access to the entire curriculum. This gives you the freedom to explore and engage with all the modules, materials and resources at your leisure. Our goal is to empower you with a comprehensive learning experience right from the start, allowing you to dive deep into the content at your own pace and convenience.

How much time does it take to complete the SLC and does my access expire? 

The length of time to completion of the entire curriculum will vary based on which learning track you select and how much time you can dedicate to your learning. All learners have the flexibility to progress at their individual pace, and to delve as deeply as you like into each module. On the other hand, completion time for learners in the Teams track depends on the pace set by the team. However, since the Teams track does not require completion of all modules, the choice whether to pursue a Certificate will be up to the individuals within the team.

While your access to the SLC will not expire, once you register as an SLC Certificate (or Mentor) Track learner, you will have one year to successfully complete the entire curriculum. This timeframe is in place to encourage consistent engagement. We encourage you to work through the content within this year, but if additional time is needed, feel free to contact the ExpandNet Secretariat to request an extension. We are fully committed to supporting your efforts and ensuring you can successfully obtain your certificate.

Can I save or print documents from the curriculum? 

Yes, you can save or print all SLC documents, which are made publicly available subject to Creative Commons licensing. This allows you to download essential materials for your use, sharing and offline review. If you choose to use SLC slides, narratives, agendas, etc, please be sure to appropriately acknowledge the source, and where possible please include the ExpandNet logo as per the Terms of Use.

Individuals in the Mentor Track will have access to editable versions of SLC documents that can be customized to suit diverse purposes. Certificate and Self-Guided Track learners who would like access to editable documents can request them from the Secretariat at secretariat@expandnet.net.

Platform technical questions and concerns

Do I need internet access to make use of the SLC? 

Internet access is required to fulfill complete the Certificate and Team Tracks as it allows you to so you can complete and submit module learning checks and assessments. This helps us ensure that you have sufficiently mastered the curriculum content to warrant our Certificate of Completion.

For those facing with limited internet connectivity, we do provide the option to download any of the various SLC resources, including videos. As always, yYour use of these resources is , as always, subject to the terms of use to be agreed to at the time of registration.

If you have financial constraints that make hinder yourit difficult for you to to access the SLC, you encourage you to reach out to are welcome to write to the ExpandNet Secretariat at secretariat@expandnet.net. We are here to support you an you can explore options for providing airtime assistance that to request support for airtime to enables  you to make full use of the SLC.

How can I get help if I have technical issues or need support? 

We offer technical support to assist you with any issues you encounter. You can reach out to our support team by emailing us slc@expandnet.net.

How can I reset my password if I’ve forgotten it?

To reset your password and regain access to your account, follow these steps:

1. Visit the SLC  login page.
2. Look for the “Forgot Password” or “Reset Password” link located near the login fields.
3. Click on the link to enter the email address associated with your account.
4. Check your inbox for a password reset link or code.
5. Follow the instructions in the email to reset your password securely.
6. Once you’ve reset your password, you’ll be able to log in to your account with the new credentials.

Remember to choose a strong and memorable password to ensure the security of your account. If you continue to experience issues or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at slc@expandnet.net.