Online Professional Development: Trends and Issues
This PDF document is a review of state-level efforts in online professional development and teacher resources. Commissioned by the Center for the Application of Information Technologies, it includes a Special Resource, "100 Sites for Exploring Online Professional Development."

Where to Find Online Courses

The Step*Star Network produces interactive educational programming delivered by satellite and cable television. Professional development offerings are primarily geared to K-12 educators and parents. In addition to its televised coursework, the network maintains a significant on-line component that is used for testing, data exchange, messaging, research, and group projects.

PBS Teacherline is resource for teaching teachers how to use technology in their classrooms and professional lives. TeacherLine has information, tools, resources and professional development for educators at all levels.

PBS Mathline is a teacher resource service of public television utilizing the power of telecommunications to provide quality resources and services to teachers of mathematics grades, K-12. Using a blend of technologies including online communications and video, Mathline brings the most recent advances in instructional techniques to teachers across the country. Through participation in Mathline, teachers collaborate to make important decisions about their teaching. It is more than just a Web site -- it is a professional development program that you can enroll in and benefit from all year long. Participants who are currently enrolled in Mathline (1999-2000) may also receive graduate credit.

PBS Scienceline can help science educators reflect on how they teach, connect them with other science educators, and provide them with information and resources to support them professionally. Scienceline combines video and online technologies to put the inquiry learning teaching method into the hands of the educator.

USDLC Star Schools Program offers a program called "Engaged Learning: Staff Development: Across the Spectrum of Learners" which addresses topics such as issues facing today's teacher education institutions as presented by the Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities (TECSCU), application-oriented teaching for adult literacy/basic education educators, and the use of technology in the K-12 classroom.

STAR-Online supports teachers with anytime/anyplace resources via an online Virtual Teaching and Learning Community (VTLC). The VTLC utilizes blended technologies to provide preservice, new and veteran teachers online training modules, resources, support and communication links necessary for continued success in the classroom. The online content and resources, developed by United Star Distance Learning Consortium (USDLC) partners, are based on articulated and established needs for pedagogy, technology applications, curriculum and special needs adaptations. A video library, distance learning teachers’ institute, a teacher support system for National Board Certification and a replicable model for establishing a statewide technology infrastructure will also be available.

ITTE: The Education Technology Programs Department offers several online courses that meet a variety of professional development needs and learning styles. Anytime, anywhere, any pace -- online learning has never been easier!

Some universities offering Professional Develpment courses at a distance:

Indiana University School of Education Distance Education Program offers educators fully accredited coursework delivered via the Internet and two-way interactive video.