Early online continuing education efforts for teachers consisted of watching a series of slides or self-guided screens which teachers would click through. This was essentially the online equivalent of one-day workshops or lectures that still comprise much of professional development for teachers. These efforts lack sustainability because there is no follow-up or collaborative effort.
However, today’s continuing education efforts have evolved to include facilitated online learning such as Michigan’s LearnPort. The design of this site is to provide web-based interactive professional development for teachers. Another source of online professional development is PBS Teacher’s Line of facilitated courses. Both of these continuing education programs have moved beyond watching a series of slides or self-guide screens.
The facilitated format provides teachers with opportunities to reflect on their practices with an expert, as well as with their peers. Teachers access course materials, such as readings on a new instructional practice. They are expected to read and digest the materials, complete related assignments, and take part in threaded discussions within a certain time frame.
The format gives teachers time to go back to their classrooms and attempt a new strategy. Then they reconnect with facilitators and peers in online discussions of successes and failures. This practice is aligned with professional development efforts for continued, sustained engagement in content, and with peers. The anticipated results are changes in teaching practices and increased student learning.
Facilitated Professional Development
The facilitated format provides three benefits for improving teacher engagement in this form of continuing education. Facilitated training:
- maintains or increases the level of interaction when compared to classroom situations, because online instructors or facilitators are not limited by time constraints and offer greater availability to participants.
- provides the advantage of flexibility in timing, so a teacher can participate at a time and place that lets him or her more fully engage in the course.
- offers a way for teachers who tend to hold back during classroom professional development sessions to express themselves.
Online professional development is especially helpful for teachers who are in the most isolated of school settings around the country as a means of earning continuing education units.
District Teacher Professional Development Tools
Advances in continuing education to support facilitated learning for teachers include some of the newest and most promising forms of online professional development. These draw upon the features of social networking. School districts are setting up online networks to allow teachers, facilitators, and mentors to connect with peers serving in similar subject areas or positions. This network provides opportunities to discuss common topics and reflect on teaching practices.
Professional Development with Web 2.0 Tools
Other tools which allow teachers to participate in online professional development include Web 2.0 tools such as:
- Twitter – develops collaborative networks between teachers in different schools to test professional development strategies and techniques.
- Wikis – allows teachers to participate in continuing education staff development opportunities offered by certified trainers within or outside the school district, along with classroom applications for Wikis.
- Podcasts – facilitators provide video and audio continuing education materials to teachers participating in staff development activities and courses.
- Skype – provides teachers with opportunities to talk to other teachers and facilitators to share and reflect on staff development activities using the Internet.
- Moodle – is a virtual learning environment that allows facilitators and certified trainers to develop and conduct staff development for teachers.
- Flat Classroom – collaborative projects using Web 2.0 tools to foster communication, collaboration, and creation between teachers around the world.
- Ning – a teaching and learning collaboration transforming teacher professional development.
- Google Docs - collaboration with other teachers in the continuing education projects and assignments.
Continuing education has taking on a whole new setting for teachers. Staff development is rapidly moving into the online world of participation in facilitated courses and collaborative networks. Teachers are using Web 2.0 tools to participate in continuing education when it is convenient for them, without the constraints of the rigid school day schedule.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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