Information regarding VHS member school training (NIM, TLC, and SCO) is now available from the Membership section of our website.

Interested in enhancing your classroom through integration of technology and utilization of web resources in your lessons? Virtual High School, a pioneer in quality online high school courses, is pleased to introduce a series of new offerings, 21st Century Teaching Best Practices, for teachers and educators everywhere! This five course series is designed for all levels - from classroom teachers eager to add an online component to their face-to-face class, to experienced online teachers eager to learn the latest pedagogy and online methodology. Now, all educators can take advantage of the 10+ years of experience VHS offers in effective online course design and delivery.

Five-Course Series Descriptions

• 21st Century Teaching and Learning, explores the technology literacy and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills needed for effective 21st century teaching and learning. Teachers will gain a better understanding of the need for web-based instruction in classroom practice, as they become students in an online course.

• Web-enhanced Classroom, prepares face-to-face teacher to incorporate online resources into their classroom instruction. Traditional lectures and classroom activities are linked with enhancements such as virtual tours, WebQuests, Learning Objects, web tools and open-source online course components.

• Online-extended Teaching, prepares teachers to promote active independent learning experiences for students by joining the best features of in-class teaching with the best features of online learning. Using Internet technologies, instructors will redesign a portion of their course content into new online learning activities, such as case studies, tutorials, self-testing exercises, simulations, and online collaborations.

• Web 2.0: Collaborative Instruction, prepares teachers to use the tools of Web 2.0 to generate new and exciting learning experiences for students of all abilities and learning styles. Participants experience first-hand the constructivist, collaborative pedagogy of Web 2.0 tools that promote creative and critical thinking, team learning, and inquiry and dialogue.

• Becoming an Online Teacher, will give participants the opportunity to experience online teaching by partnering with a VHS online master teacher in an established middle or high school course. Through observation, reflection and actively participating in the classroom environment the participant will first partner with the master teacher to deliver instruction, and then will fully assume online classroom responsibilities.

Participation Requirements & Graduate Credit
Each Best Practices course is six (6) weeks long and is taken entirely over the Internet. Courses move forward on a weekly schedule and require approximately 5-7 hours of your time per week. Best Practices courses can be taken independently or in sequence. Each Best Practices course is eligible for three graduate credits from Plymouth State University. A Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning may be earned by teachers who successfully complete all five courses in the 21st Century Teaching Best Practices series.

21st Century Teaching Best Practices Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Individual or Group Enrollment
Best Practices courses are available for individual or group enrollments. Discounted pricing is available for a group of teachers from one district or region. Please contact a VHS representative at 978-450-0500 for group pricing.
Online registration and Session Dates