Course Overview:

The Web-enhanced Classroom uses technology to enhance traditional face-to-face (f2f) instruction. This online training course prepares face-to-face teachers to incorporate online strategies into their classroom instruction. This course increases the awareness of the number of Web-based tools available and how to use them effectively to enhance instruction. Learners are introduced to citation tools, surveying tools, Inspiration, graphic organizers, and uncovering other sources which are reliable and accurate. Online material is viewed as an extension of the classroom, and traditional lectures or classroom activities are linked with enhancements such as virtual tours, WebQuests, real-time information, maps, pictures, streaming video, audio clips, and open-source online course components. Web-enhanced Classrooms allow learning to happen in an interesting and exciting way!

This six week course provides teachers with the opportunity to develop a complete unit of study for a web-enhanced classroom and view other units created by peers. While the educator learns how to efficiently and effectively search the web for resources, a complete unit of study is developed using the Internet and online course components. Although resources will be provided through virtual tours of websites, participants will select the focus of the unit they will create. A web-enhanced classroom offers educators the best of both worlds.

Who Should Attend?

This series is appropriate for:

• Teachers who want to effectively utilize a blended model of instruction, using online components to supplement the face-to-face experience of their students
• Curriculum specialists who need to understand the critical success elements of blended teaching models
• Administrators who want to experience first-hand the power of online learning while determining their own district’s online professional development needs.

What Will You Learn?

Participants attending this course will:

• Understand the benefits of a web-enhanced classroom teaching model
• Become comfortable using the Internet as an instructional tool
• Develop web-based activities to supplement specific classroom curriculum
• Discover how to incorporate online resources to deepen the learning experience.

Participation Requirements & Graduate Credit:

Best Practices in Online Teaching and Learning courses are 6-week courses taken entirely over the Internet. Courses move forward on a weekly schedule and there are approximately 5-7 hours of activities per week. This course is eligible for three graduate credits from Plymouth State University.

Session Dates & Pricing

Sessions for 21st Century Teaching Best Practices: Web-enhanced Classroom will be offered

• October 15, 2008
• January 14, 2009
• April 15, 2009
• July 8, 2009
• October 14, 2009

Tuition is $275 per session

Discounted pricing is available for a group of teachers from one district or region. Please contact a VHS representative at 978-450-0418 for group pricing.

Register today for the Web-enhanced Classroom or the complete Best Practices series.