A wide variety of professional development (PD) opportunities

Introduction Sustained and ongoing communication Variety of PD Connections between mentors and teachers Links to learning communities

Many schools and districts lack the funds or geographic presence to provide the range of professional development options that their teachers would like or require in order to become highly qualified. Additionally, it can often be difficult financially and logistically for teachers and administration to schedule time for participation in professional development activities.

Online technologies can help to enhance professional development programs by offering a wider variety of opportunities with more flexible schedules. All of these tools can be used alone or in combinations.

Tools and Strategies

Blended/Hybrid courses - uses elements of both traditional face-to-face professional development and online learning to maximize benefits. These courses can use any number and combination of online applications to maximize the learning experience.
Self-paced course - the individual works at his or her own pace through a structured course. Sometimes there is an instructor with whom the learner can communicate, but often not. These courses can use any number and combination of online applications to maximize the learning experience.
Online course with learning community - individual is part of a cohort of other learners in a facilitated class. A significant part of the learning process includes discussion and exchange between students. These courses can use any number and combination of online applications to maximize the learning experience.
Webcast - a workshop, lecture, or presentation that is broadcast over the web either in real time or pre-recorded
Webinar or Web-based Seminar is a workshop, lecture, or presentation delivered over the web that incorporates some interactivity between the presenter and the participant
Simulations - users are immersed in a realistic model of a scenario and must use their knowledge base to solve problems

Successful Practices

Annenberg/Corporation for Public Broadcasting Learner.org
http://www.learner.org/channel/chnnl_workshops.html
These courses are designed to be taken individually as a self-paced course or as part of a group in a professional development program. They have video that can be viewed over the web, print, and interactive components in a number of different subject and grade levels.

An example of a course can be accessed at: http://www.learner.org/channel/courses/learningmath/algebra/.
EdTech Leaders Online (ETLO)
http://www.edtechleaders.org/
ETLO is offers online courses with a strong learning community component that will help schools and districts build capacity offer online professional development programs and design and facilitate online courses.
PBS Teacherline
http://www.pbs.org/teacherline
TeacherLine offers over 80 facilitated online courses in math, early reading, and technology integration. Many classes include simulations such as math interactives. (Look under Math Resources.)