Learning Guide

Learning Guide

Table of contents

1. Description . . . (3)
2. Audience. . . (3)
3. Objectives. . . (4)
4. Methodology . . . (6)
5. Content and Activities . . . (7)
6. Evaluation . . . (10)
7. Certification . . . (11)
8. Course regulations. . . (12)

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1. Description

This course has been developed in a collaboration

between CAF – development bank of Latin America and
the International Energy Agency (IEA). It consists of four
modules that, together, provide an introduction to
energy efficiency in buildings. It is a comprehensive
tutorial, meant to engage and challenge students to
consider the many decision levels and options involved
in advancing energy efficiency in buildings. The course
covers the fundamental technical, design, policy and
financial dimensions necessary to practically engage on
the topic. It has a geographic focus on Latin America.
Energy efficient buildings are a cornerstone of a
prosperous, sustainable and healthy society. This course
aims to prepare participants to successfully advance
energy efficient building construction and retrofits by
equipping them with an understanding of the buildings
landscape.

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2. Audience

The approach is both cross-disciplinary and practical,

applying foundational concepts to real-world examples
from Latin America and the rest of the world. The course
has been developed with a strong policy perspective,
and therefore is particularly suited for policymakers. At
the same time, it is meant to benefit anyone with an
interest in the topic including: architects, engineers,
financial institutions, think-tanks, university students, and
citizens.
Participants in the course will, on completion, have a
solid understanding of the “big picture” as well as the
tools to leverage their own expertise and interest to
contribute to advancing energy efficiency in buildings.

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3. Objectives

General objective:

The main objective of the course is to introduce students to the

fundamentals of energy efficiency in buildings, with a geographic
focus on Latin America. This is accomplished by applying theory
to practice, drawing on experience across Latin America and the
world to prepare students to apply what they have learned.

Specific objectives:

The course covers technical, legal, financial and practical aspects

of energy efficiency in buildings with the goals of:

• providing participants with a vision of the “big picture”,

• providing enough details to engage productively on any of

the topics, and

• providing resources for information and collaboration.

With this course, CAF and the IEA hope to educate and motivate
the next generation of citizens and professionals dedicated to
improving the built environment.

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On completion of the course, students will be able to answer the
following questions:

• What is meant by energy efficiency in buildings?

• What technologies and design options can advance energy

efficiency in buildings?

• What policies can be used to reduce energy use in

buildings, and enable effective investment and finance for
energy efficiency in buildings?

• What is the role of codes and standards, and how can they
be structured to promote energy efficiency in buildings?

• How can energy efficiency be measured, evaluated and

verified?

• Who are the various actors involved, and how can they be
productively engaged?

• What are some additional resources to advance my own

work on energy efficiency in buildings?

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4. Methodology

This course is based on the MOOC model (massive online

open course), which means that its content and activities are
available through MiriadaX platform 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, providing flexibility in time and space to review the
material and learn at your own pace based on the work
schedule of each participant. The course lasts approximately
40 hours, distributed in 4 thematic modules that can be taken
in a total of 6 weeks.

Each participant is in charge of managing their learning

process. This implies that, as a participant, it is your
responsibility to follow the course contents in order, set your
own pace and dedicate appropriate time and attention to the
course materials. You should review the videos, do the
readings and answer the evaluations. We suggest taking
notes of the contents of the modules and lessons. This will
help prepare you for the evaluations at the end of each
module and will also serve as personal material for the future.

We recommend investing a few minutes of learning each day

in the course, in a comfortable place without distractions.
The most important thing is the quality of time spent and not
the quantity. Each participant will decide how to invest and
distribute the time they will devote to their professional
improvement.

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5. Content and Activities

This course is structured in 4 modules. Each module has

several sub-themes, and each sub-theme is divided into
several lessons. All modules will be available for students
from the first day of the course. It is recommended to access
all modules and all lessons in chronological order to achieve
comprehensive training as the lessons are structured to build
on each other.

MODULE I – Introduction to energy efficiency in

buildings.

1.1 Understanding building energy use

1.2 Energy efficiency potential in buildings

1.3 Energy efficient building design

1.4 Energy efficient building technologies

1.5 Special session: cooling comfort in hot

climates

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MODULE II – Implementing energy efficiency.

2.1 Energy efficiency policies

2.2 Target setting and stakeholder

engagement

2.3 Building codes and standards

2.4 Energy efficient building operations

MODULE III – Measuring energy efficiency

3.1 Data and energy efficiency indicators

3.2 Evaluation of energy efficiency

3.3 The multiple benefits of energy efficiency

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MODULE IV - Enabling investment in energy
efficiency

4.1 Energy efficiency investment

4.2 Enabling investment through policy

4.3 Enabling investment through project

standardization

4.4 Enabling investment through

procurement

4.5 Enabling investment through funding,

finance and fiscal instruments

4.6 Enabling investment through energy

markets

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6. Evaluation.

Each module has a mandatory evaluation or activity that the

participant must perform in order to complete the module.

From modules 1 to 4 there will be a final mandatory

evaluation of the contents. These evaluations are 8 questions
with 60 minutes to answer once it starts. To pass these
evaluations, you need to answer at least 75% of the
questions correctly, that is, at least 6 correct questions out of
a total of 8 questions.

Each participant has 4 attempts to pass each of the

assessments. To pass the course the participant must pass all
the evaluations.

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7. Certification.

At the end of the course, participants will receive a certificate

according to the following conditions:

Participation certificate.

The certificate is issued when the student has participated in at

least an average of 75% of the course modules. This average is
calculated by dividing the sum of the % of each module, by the
number of modules in the course. It recognizes the student's
participation in the course, access to the material of each lesson
and / or fulfillment of the activities (mandatory or not). The
certificate can be downloaded as a diploma in PDF format and as
a badge, which is also displayed on the platform and can be
exported to "Mozilla Open Badges".

Certificate of improvement.

Those enrolled who request it and who have achieved 100% of

each and every one of the modules of the course can obtain this
certificate, upon payment of a fee. 100% of each module will be
obtained when the participant has completed 100% of the
mandatory activities included in it. This certificate recognizes the
successful completion of the course. It can be downloaded as a
diploma in PDF format and as a badge, which is also displayed on
the platform and can be exported to "Mozilla Open Badges". The
cost of the certificate of achievement is € 40 (taxes included).

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8. Course regulations.

The rules that govern this course and the rules of etiquette that
must be followed when participating in these virtual courses, are
of the utmost importance for the course’s success. They are based
on the following mandatory guidelines for appropriate behavior
on the Web:

General behavior: throughout the training process it is important

that the participant behavior demonstrates commitment and
respect for all the activities presented in the MOOC. Otherwise,
you may be exposed to the suspension of the course.

Writing, spelling and grammar: all written communications made

throughout the course must be prepared with attention to good
writing, spelling and grammar.

Forum and email behavior: through the different communication

tools that are handled throughout the course, it is important to
behave respectfully towards the ideas and opinions of the rest of
the participants and peer groups, since this is a space designed
for learning and knowledge sharing, where the opinions of others
will always be interesting and important. It is not permitted to
issue value judgments or ratings to opinions or positions
registered in the course.

Our courses are governed by principles of honesty and

responsibility, which is why we always foster an environment in
which the origin and authors of the information handled in the
course are recognized, avoiding situations of plagiarism, and
always affecting an ethical situation before the development of all
course activities and full compliance with them. Therefore, for the
approval of the course, it is important to fulfill all activities in
quantity and quality established throughout each learning module.

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