PBS TeacherLine Unveils Course for Online Teachers

Aiming to provide teachers with the tools to meet students’ increasing demand for online education, PBS TeacherLine is launching “TECH570: Fundamentals of Virtual K-12 Teaching,” a new professional development program.

An increasing number of K-12 students across the country are taking advantage of online learning options. According to Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning,30 states have full-time online learning schools open to students from districts statewide, while 40 states offer state-run virtual schools. Researchers project that by 2014, more than 10 million students will be taking courses online. 

“As millions of families opt for the flexibility and convenience of virtual learning, teachers are faced with the challenge of adapting their instruction to the dynamics of online teaching,” said Rob Lippincott, senior vice president of education for PBS. “The ‘Fundamentals of Virtual K-12 Teaching’ course gives educators an eLearning Toolbox and allows them to practice the skills needed to support student achievement in the online environment.”

The six-week course goes beyond simply teaching about online tools for virtual teachers, delving deeply into critical knowledge, strategies and techniques that support student achievement in an online learning environment. The course aligns to standards from the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL), the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), and the NEA Guide to Online Teaching. Prospective virtual teachers are guided through the course by a facilitator who models how to build community, strategies for working with virtual students, and assessment techniques. The course offers project-based online learning experiences, helping educators develop the practical skills, resources and materials required for effective virtual teaching.

Experts agree that the skills required for online teaching are different from those used for face-to-face instruction in the classroom. Key differences include curriculum, social dynamics, assessment strategies and technical challenges. "Fundamentals of Virtual K-12 Teaching" is designed to help teachers bridge the gap between face-to-face instruction and online instruction, setting them on a path to virtual teaching success.

TECH570 takes approximately 45 hours to complete and costs $525. Teachers can earn PDPs, CEUs or graduate credit from one of the more than 30 higher education institutions that have partnered with PBS TeacherLine. The course will first be available February 29, 2012. 

Article by Jason Tomaszewski, EducationWorld Associate Editor
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