Faciliating and Implementing Online Professional Development

This ten week course will prepare you to facilitate online courses for OPEN NH. The course includes an in-depth exploration of the elements of effective online professional development, preparing you realize the power of online learning. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be a certified Online Professional Development (OPD) Specialist. Course sessions address the following topics:

• UNDERSTANDING EFFECTIVE ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Participants will learn about the essential elements of effective online professional development, the principles of adult learning, and how to meaningfully integrate online learning into current professional development programs.
• ADDRESSING ISSUES OF EQUITY AND ACCESS: Participants will explore the ways in which online professional development programs can help address the “Digital Divide.” Participants will also explore the impact that online professional development can have on issues of accessibility in the classroom and how teachers can use technology to help all students access the curriculum.
• SPECIALIZED PREPARATION TO FACILITATE ONLINE WORKSHOPS: Participants will develop specific skills necessary to facilitate online courses. Participants will select and review the content of the online courses they will facilitate and complete all background preparations necessary to run their course. Participants will learn how to build an online learning community, address technical difficulties, communicate clearly with participants, and evaluate the success of their local programs. Upon completion of this course, participants will be eligible to continue in a year-long online forum with other Online Professional Development Specialists who are facilitating courses within other e-Learning for Educators state programs or other educational organizations.

This course will include an initial face to face meeting, online participation, and application of the skills learned by teaching a seven week online course to other educators across the state. You will have the guidance of an experienced online educator to work with you through this process. During the training course, you will be asked to choose from a prospective list of courses which you could offer. Following the training, you will be given the opportunity to deliver the online course that your selected. As all courses are not offered each session, and courses run based on registration nuymbers, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to facilitate your course in the session immediately following the training. We make every attempt to schedule your facilitation as soon as possible, and in accordnace with your time schedule and preference. After your first course, you will be able to facilitate any number of our OPE NH offerings which fit your qualifications and training.

Here are some reasons to consider becoming a facilitator:

• You'll become part of a NH network, providing quality online professional development to NH teachers.
• You'll learn facilitation techniques that will enhance your own teaching experiences.
• You'll earn a stipend up to $1,500 for each course taught (depending on enrollment numbers).
• There is graduate credit available for completing the facilitator course.

Not sure yet? Read some Frequently Asked Questions.

Facilitator Training occurs once each year. The 100% online training course opens with a face to face orientation meeting. Contact the Project Coordinator to learn about upcoming training.