Valdosta State University > Continuing Education > Online Courses > Teacher Recertification

Teacher Recertification

For more information, click on a class title below or scroll down the page. Click here for PLU Requirements

Preparation for Teaching AP Classes - 2010 Summer Institutes Each session is approved for 3 PLUs
Check back in November for course offerings and dates.		Click HERE for Housing and Travel Information
AP Summer Institute classes will be held at: Valdosta State University Regional Center for Continuing Education 903 N Patterson Street
Self-paced PLU Approved Courses on CD-ROM or Online
Valdosta State University Continuing Education has partnered with Virtual Education Software, Inc.(VESi) to offer professional learning unit courses for K-12 educators. These interactive continuing education courses provide expert instruction at a pace that fits your schedule	General Application Courses Advanced Classroom Management (3) Attention Deficit Disorder (3) Autism & Asperger's Disorder (3) Behavior is Language (4) Child Abuse (3) Drugs & Alcohol in School (3) Educational Assessment (3) Harassment, Bullying & Cyber-Intimidation in Schools (3) New! Inclusion: Working with Special Needs (3) Learning Disabilities (4) Talented & Gifted Students (3) Teaching Diversity (3) Traumatized Children (3) Understanding Aggression (4) Violence in Schools (3)
Now available in two formats! Please specify your preference when registering 1. CD-ROM Based Instruction using your own computer 2. Online access using a computer with access to high-speed Internet
Click here for Computer System and PLU Requirements
Click on a course title for a brief description or Click HERE for complete information on all VESi courses (number in parenthesis = number of PLUs)
Early Childhood Series 3 PLU credit courses: Infant and Toddler Mental Health: Issues and Information for Educators Early Childhood: Family-Centered Services 4 PLU credit courses: Early Childhood: Observation and Assessment Early Childhood: Program Planning Early Childhood: Typical and Atypical Development	Reading Fundamentals Series This series must be taken sequentially, but you do not have to take all three. Reading Fundamentals #1 An Introduction to Scientifically-based Research (3) Reading Fundamentals #2 Laying the Foundation for Effective Reading Instruction (3) Reading Fundamentals #3 The Elements of Effective Reading Instruction & Assessment (4)

Instructor-paced PLU Courses Online (all instructor-paced, 6 week online courses noted here are approved for 2 PLUs)
Click here for a schedule of starting dates	Click here for Computer System and PLU Requirements
The Classroom Computer MS Word in the Classroom (2003 or 2007) MS Excel in the Classroom (2003 or 2007) PowerPoint in the Classroom PowerPoint 2003 - Intro Using the Internet in the Classroom Creating Web Pages Integrating Technology in the Classroom Survival Kit for New Teachers Ready, Set, Read! Big Ideas in Little Books Teaching Writing: Grades 4-6 Teaching Math: Grades 4-6 Singapore Math Strategies: Model Drawing for Grades 1 - 6 Teaching Science: Grades 4 - 6	The Creative Classroom Solving Classroom Discipline Problems Solving Classroom Discipline Problems II Enhancing Language Development in Childhood Understanding Adolescent Development Differentiated Instruction in the Classroom Creating the Inclusive Classroom An Introduction to Teaching ESL/EFL Guided Reading: Strategies for the Differentiated Classroom Guided Reading and Writing: Strategies for Maximum Student Achievement Working Successfully With Learning Disabled Students Speed Spanish Speed Spanish II
Recently added online classes - each approved for 2 PLUs
Easy Classroom Podcasting Creating a Classroom Web Site A to Z Grant Writing Leadership Homeschool with Success Practical ideas for the Adult ESL/EFL Classroom	Response to Intervention: Reading Stategies that Work Teaching ESL/EFL Reading Teaching Students with Autism: Strategies for Success Spanish for the Classroom Singapore Math - Number Sense and Computation

Preparation for Teaching AP Classes - 2010 Summer Institutes

      Check back in November for Summer 2010 course listing
Housing and Travel Information
      Valdosta State University maps and directions
      VSU visitors' information and hotel listing (scroll down page for accommodations)
      New this year... stay on the Valdosta State University campus!
                         Standard dorm room $14/night
                         Apartment style $20/night (limited availability)
                         For more information contact Teddi Walker (tabeal@valdosta.edu) 229.333.7165

Online and CD-ROM courses

Advanced Classroom Management: Children as Change Agents (3 PLUs)

Welcome to Advanced Classroom Management: Children as Change Agents, a course geared primarily for professionals (e.g., regular or special educators, instructional assistants, school psychologist, counselors) serving children and youths presenting behavior problems the school or community. Focuses on cognitive- and cognitive-behavioral interventions (often lumped together under the rubric "social skills") with an emphasis on teaching students how to change and manage their own behavior. Since previous knowledge and understanding of traditional behavioral (operant) concepts and strategies is required, it is strongly recommended that you take an introductory behavior management course to learn the basic terms and concepts of behavior management prior to taking this “Advanced” course.

      Dates: Open Entry: Specify preferred starting date on your registration form under "section"
      Time: At your convenience
      Location: 2 formats avaiable - Please specify preference when registering
                        1.  CD-ROM Based Instruction using your own computer
                        2.  Online access using a computer with access to high-speed Internet
     Instructor: Joe Kaplan
      Fee: $159

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Harassment, Bullying & Cyber-Intimidation in Schools (3 PLUs)

Harassment, Bullying & Cyber-Intimidation in Schools will discuss definitions and the personal, social, and legal ramifications associated with sexual harassment, bullying, and cyber-intimidation. The course will address what we know about these troubling areas. We will then explore preventative strategies as well as how school staff can address these issues when they occur. A clear understanding of what constitutes harassment and the harmful effects of harassment on people and institutions is essential to providing a safe and inclusive school environment for all.

      Dates: Open Entry: Specify preferred starting date on your registration form under "section"
      Time: At your convenience
      Location: 2 formats avaiable - Please specify preference when registering
                        1.  CD-ROM Based Instruction using your own computer
                        2.  Online access using a computer with access to high-speed Internet
     Instructor:Candyce Reynolds
      Fee: $159

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Attention Deficit Disorder: Information & Interventions for Effective Teaching (3 PLUs)

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course, is designed to help you achieve a better understanding of ADD and intervention strategies to facilitate positive student change. Attention Deficit Disorder provides information on the history of the disorder, accepted methods to assess and identify students with the disorder, and various treatment methods that are currently being used to treat the disorder. The course helps you through the referral process, when you feel a student needs services beyond what you are capable of or comfortable providing in your classroom environment. This course also lists resources for both teachers and parents who would like more help or information about ADD.

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Learning Disabilities: Practical Information for the Classroom Teacher (4 PLUs)

Learning Disabilities, an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course, is designed to provide an introduction to the field of Learning Disabilities for special teachers, general classroom teachers, integration teachers and related professionals, especially those working in the areas of language, psychology and counseling. Learning Disabilities will cover diverse theoretical approaches, lay the foundations for sensitive and appropriate assessment and evaluation of students, provide directions for program planning and implementation, indicate the importance of and the need for a close and positive partnership with parents (or alternative caregivers) and consider ways for ensuring that the home-school axis is effective and meaningful. This program will also consider some major trends and unresolved issues in the field of Learning Disabilities.

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Autism & Asperger's Disorder: Information & Effective Intervention Strategies (3 PLUs)

Autism and Asperger’s Disorder, an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course, is designed to help you achieve a better understanding of Autism and Asperger’s Disorder, intervention strategies to enhance communication and learning and to teach more conventional behaviors. Autism and Asperger’s Disorder provides information on the characteristics of the disorder, learning styles associated with the disorder, communication weaknesses, and various intervention strategies that have proven to be successful when working with students with Autism spectrum disorders.

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Talented & Gifted: Working with High Achievers (3 PLUs)

Talented and Gifted, an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course, is designed to help you achieve a better understanding of the talented and gifted student, methods used in identification, and strategies for instruction of these students in an inclusive classroom. Talented and Gifted provides information on the history of the exceptional in relation to education, current law, and accepted methods for referral, assessment, and identification of these students. The course also covers major program models and methods of differentiating instruction to meet the rate and level of learning of those students identified. The course gives you an understanding of ways to meet the affective needs of the gifted and talented student in the regular classroom. This course also lists resources for teachers and parents who would like more information about the talented and gifted.

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Behavior is Language: Strategies for Managing Disruptive Behaviors (4 PLUs)

Behavior is Language®, an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course, is designed to give you a new perspective on student behavior and effective tools for facilitating positive student change. Behavior is Language provides a developmental framework for understanding what students are trying to tell you through the “language” of their behavior. The course teaches techniques and intervention strategies that remediate disruptive behaviors, reduce power struggles while increasing classroom control, and reduce your workloads and burnout. This program helps you, as well as students, find creative, effective solutions to problems.

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Teaching Diversity: Influences & Issues in the Classroom (3 PLUs)

This course is designed to give you the knowledge, tools and dispositions to effectively facilitate a diverse classroom. This course will help you understand and identify differences in approaches to learning and performance, including different learning styles and ways in which students demonstrate learning. An emphasis in this course will be on understanding how students’ learning is influenced by individual experiences, talents, disabilities, gender, language, culture, family and community values. You will be challenged to apply knowledge of the richness of contributions from our diverse society to your teaching field.

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Child Abuse: Working with Abused and Neglected Children (3 PLUs)

Child Abuse, an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course, is designed to help you identify and effectively teach students affected by child abuse and/or neglect. This course teaches you to recognize the signs of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect in students. It also discusses the specific factors that exist in families who abuse or neglect their children. A major emphasis in this course is on helping the participant understand the special learning needs of the abused or neglected child and how to meet those needs in the regular classroom. Working with parents and community agencies is also emphasized.

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Traumatized Child: The Effects of Stress, Trauma, & Violence on Student Learning (3 PLUs)

Traumatized Child, an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course, is designed to help you identify and effectively teach students affected by stress, trauma, and/or violence. This course teaches you to recognize the signs of stress, trauma, or violence in students. It also discusses the specific factors that exist in families and communities where stress and violence are common. A major emphasis in this course is on helping the participant understand the special learning needs of the student who is experiencing stress, trauma, or violence in his/her life and how to meet his/her needs in the regular classroom. Working with parents and community agencies is also emphasized.

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Drugs & Alcohol in Schools: Understanding Use & Abuse (3 PLUs)

Drugs & Alcohol in Schools, an instructional computer-based instruction (CBI) course, is designed to give you a more comprehensive understanding of alcohol, drugs, and their influences in your classroom. Drugs & Alcohol in Schools provides a contextual framework for understanding what students may be experiencing through their own substance use or the impact of substance use around them. The course provides a basic historical perspective of substance use along with descriptions of biological, psychological, and social factors that comprise the disease of addiction. This program will help you better understand a multitude of complex dynamics that contribute to this biological and social phenomenon.

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Understanding Aggression: Coping with Aggressive Behavior in the Classroom (4 PLUs)

Understanding Aggression, an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course, is about violence in America. Understanding Aggression is about the aggression in our schools, classrooms, streets, homes, and elsewhere. The course speaks to the hate, the fights, the anger, the crimes committed and the victims in our schools and society. It is a course about students, children, teenagers, adults, and neighbors, all of us. The course will consider the many forms of aggression, both criminal and otherwise; its costs and motivation; its perpetrators and targets; its likely and unlikely locations; its impact on our schools, the children; and, most especially, its several causes and promising solutions.

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Educational Assessment: Assessing Student Learning in the Classroom (3 PLUs)

This course is designed to further develop the conceptual and technical skills required by teachers to help them identify their educational goals, and implement meaningful instructional strategies for effective learning by students with special needs. The focus of this course will therefore be on assessment for instructional programming. The course will outline procedures for designing or selecting, administering and interpreting, a variety of informal assessment measures typically used in schools. The use of a range of informal assessment measures in the academic and social skills areas will form the core of the content to be covered. The presentation of assessment information in an acceptable format to parents and teachers will also be addressed.

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Violence in Schools: Identification, Prevention, & Intervention Strategies (3 PLUs)

Violence in the Schools, an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course, is designed to give you a better understanding of school violence and increase your interventions strategies. Violence in the Schools provides a foundational understanding of violence and motivational purposes behind aggression. The correlation and impact of the media, community and family upon violence will be investigated. The course teaches identification and intervention approaches to working with out-of-control behaviors. In addition, each student will receive information on national resources available for both parents and teachers. This course will help each person to increase his or her understanding of violence, the motivations behind the use of violence and specific strategies to minimize the occurrence of violence in a school and community.

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Inclusion: Working with Special Needs Children in Mainstream Classrooms (3 PLUs)

Inclusion, an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course, is designed to help special and general educators like gain a better understanding of inclusion, one of the current educational reform movements that advocates for educating students with disabilities in the general education classroom.

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Early Childhood Series

Infant and Toddler Mental Health: Issues & Information for Educators (3 PLUs)

Infant and Toddler Mental Health: Issues & Information for Educators, an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course designed to help you achieve a better understanding of infant and toddler mental health, child development, and strategies you can use to promote positive relationships with children and their families. This course provides information that will help you to understand and identify your role as a child care provider, educator, and early childhood professional. Infant and Toddler Mental Health will provide you with research-based information on child development, attachment, temperament, and curriculum. This course also lists resources for both teachers and parents who would like more help or information about infant and toddler mental health.

      Dates: Open Entry: Specify preferred starting date on your registration form under "section"
      Time: At your convenience
      Location: 2 formats avaiable - Please specify preference when registering
                        1.  CD-ROM Based Instruction using your own computer
                        2.  Online access using a computer with access to high-speed Internet
     Instructor: Melissa Bandy
      Fee: $159

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Family-Centered Services: Birth to Five (3 PLUs)

Family-Centered Services, is an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course, designed to give you a new perspective on serving the needs of young children and their families. In this course you will learn what is meant by family-centered services as it applies to diverse systems of care, gain an understanding of family diversity, and explore the major stress factors facing families today. We will discuss the theoretical basis for family-centered services, as well as reflect on current research and best practice. Family-Centered Services will also examine the role of early childhood educators and explore ways to build partnerships with parents and create communities of care—for the benefit of our children, and ultimately society as a whole.

This course is designed for anyone working with young children and their families: child-care providers, early childhood educators, and health care or social services providers, to name a few.

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Early Childhood: Observation & Assessment (4 PLUs)

Early Childhood: Observation & Assessment, is an interactive distance learning course which explores observation and assessment instruments, as well as recommended practices and available resources for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Content includes an emphasis on observing young children and assessing their early childhood learning environments. This distance learning course is a self-supporting program that provides instruction, structured practice and evaluation all on your home or business computer.

This course is designed for anyone planning programs for young children: child-care providers, early childhood educators, and health care or social services providers, to name a few.

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Early Childhood: Program Planning (4 PLUs)

Early Childhood: Program Planning, is an interactive distance learning course designed to give you a new perspective on planning and implementing developmentally appropriate programs for young children from birth through age eight. In this course you will learn what is meant by curriculum, assessment, evaluation, and program planning as these terms apply to early childhood education. We will discuss several historical perspectives and theories of child development, and examine best practice for early childhood education. We will also examine key concepts and specific activities for teaching various curricular content areas including language and literacy, mathematics and science, and the expressive arts. This distance learning course is a self-supporting program that provides instruction and evaluation all on your home or business computer.

This course is designed for anyone working with young children and their families: child-care providers, early childhood educators, and health care or social services providers, to name a few.

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Early Childhood: Typical & Atypical Development (4 PLUs)

Early Childhood: Typical and Atypical Development, is an interactive distance learning course which explores contemporary best practice and perspectives on early childhood development. Content includes patterns and sequences of typical development for children from birth to six years. Emphasis is on individual differences, cultural influences, and the impact of developmental delay and disability during infancy, toddlerhood, and the preschool years. Discussion will also include instructional technology (IT) and assistive technology (AT) applications for this population. This distance learning course is a self-supporting program that provides instruction and evaluation all on your home or business computer.

This course is designed for anyone planning programs for young children: child-care providers, early childhood educators, and health care or social services providers, to name a few.

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Reading Fundamentals Series

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 mandates the use of scientifically based research in programs receiving federal funding that deal with remedial readers. The concept of scientifically-validated methods is so prevalent in the legislation that it appears 110 times when referring to Reading First. This three-course series will help improve your knowledge of science and the scientific process. This knowledge will make you a more informed consumer and an even better advocate for students. Courses must be taken sequentially.

Reading First #1
An Introduction to Scientifically-based Research (3 PLUs)

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 mandates the use of scientifically-based research in programs receiving federal funding that deal with remedial readers (Fleishman, Kohlmoos, & Rotherham, 2003). The concept of scientifically-validated methods is so prevalent in the legislation that it appears 110 times when referring to Reading First (Slavin, 2003) (i.e., to date, the largest, most focused early reading initiative in the U.S.). The purpose of this course is to help improve your knowledge of science and the scientific process. This knowledge will make you a more informed consumer and an even better advocate for students. This is the first course in a three-course series.

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Reading First #2:
Laying the Foundation for Effective Reading Instruction (3 PLUs)

The purpose of this second course in this three-course series is to lay the foundation for effective reading instruction. As part of this course, you will learn about the elements of effective instruction. It is important that all teachers have a firm understanding of effective instructional procedures. Teachers benefit, and more importantly, students benefit, both in terms of their behavior and their academic performance. Further, you will learn about the importance of reading instruction and read some sobering statistics on reading performance in this country and what happens when individuals are not proficient in reading.

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Reading First #3
The Elements of Effective Reading Instruction & Assessment (4 PLUs)

This course will focus on learning to read, reading to learn, and an introduction to reading assessment. As part of these two key areas of reading instruction, the five elements of effective reading instruction will be highlighted, including definitions, implications for instruction, and future directions. These five elements include instruction in: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. Further, we discuss information on teacher preparation in learning about comprehension strategy instruction and reading instruction, as well as how to integrate computer technology into the classroom. Additionally, the course will provide information on important assessment terms and definitions and will explore how reading assessment fits within the Reading First Program. This analysis includes specific recommendations on 29 reading assessments. Finally, the course describes how teachers can conduct pivotal curriculum-based measurement procedures in their classrooms.

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Online Classes

Easy Classroom Podcasting (2 PLUs)

Have you ever felt like you just can't reach your students? They speak the language of technology while you speak the language of, well, teachers. But what if there was a bridge between the two? In this professional training course for teachers, you'll learn how to make a podcast that creates a memorable learning experience for your students. You'll find their interest reignited when you start using their favorite formats: audio, images, and video. You won't even need an iPod or a big budget to harness the power of podcasting in your classroom.

Over the next six weeks, we'll create three podcasts: one audio, one enhanced, and one video. As we make our masterpieces, we'll talk about the four steps of podcast planning, the best free software to use, common pitfalls and problems, and smart ways to integrate this exciting medium into your everyday curriculum. You can expect students to be more engaged and retain knowledge longer if you teach them in this exciting digital format!

As an added bonus, there's nothing quite like helping students discover the pleasures of putting their favorite gadgets--like headphones and computers--to work for school projects! (2.4 CEUs, 2 PLUs)

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Creating a Classroom Web Site (2 PLUs)

Learn how to create a classroom Web site in this fun, easy-to-understand course for teachers. In no time, you'll build a site with text, images, animations, tables, links, and more. Then you'll create a WebQuest and a blog to add to your site.

You'll also learn how students can use site builders to create their own Web sites in minutes. As we move along, you'll be amazed by how simple creating a classroom Web site can be and all the ways in which having one can make you a more effective and dynamic teacher.

By the end of this course, you'll have your own published classroom Web site, and you'll feel energized by your great new teaching tool! (2.4 CEUs, 2 PLUs)

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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A to Z Grant Writing (2 PLUs)

A to Z Grant Writing is an invigorating and informative course that will equip you with the skills and tools you need to enter the exciting field of grant writing! You'll learn how to raise needed funds by discovering how and where to look for potential funders who are a good match for your organization. You'll also learn how to network and develop true partnerships with a variety of funders, how to organize a successful grant writing campaign, and how to put together a complete proposal package.

This course speaks mainly to nonprofit organizations, schools, religious institutions, and municipalities seeking grants from foundation, corporate, government, and individual donors. But many of the elements easily translate to the for-profit field and to individual artists, and material specifically designed for businesses and individuals is also included. No matter who you are or what level of experience you have, you'll find the A to Z of writing and submitting successful proposals here! (2.4 CEUs, 2 PLUs)

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Differentiated Instruction in the Classroom (2 PLUs)

Differentiated instruction (DI) is becoming a mainstay in classrooms across the country as educators are starting to see the ways that the traditional classroom setting limits their ability to reach diverse learners. Join us on this journey through 10 practical DI integration strategies! Count on at least three sample integration lessons on each strategy, and just think of all the ways that you can apply them to improve learning outcomes for your students.

Over the next six weeks, we'll talk about DI strategies ranging from multiple intelligences (MI) to flexible grouping, cubing, WebQuests, I-Searches, tiering, anchoring activities, and interest centers. Every lesson is packed with real-world examples that will help you put these strategies to use in your own classroom. We'll take a look at integration across different subjects, grade levels, and learning profiles as you gain helpful tips on bringing DI to your classroom.

This course is a must for today's teachers who often have to differentiate quickly, and with a minimum of resources. DI is an excellent launch pad for ramping up your creative classroom, and with the tips in these lessons, you'll be reaching your diverse learners in no time flat. (2.4 CEUs, 2 PLUs)

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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The Classroom Computer (2 PLUs)

If you're a teacher, this course will show you how to create an exciting and enriching experience for your students. You'll learn a wide variety of simple, field-tested, and easy to apply techniques that will make the most of the computer in your classroom.

In this course, your instructor will work with you to assess your knowledge of computer use and to help you set goals for yourself so that you achieve the highest level of personal benefit from this course.

Simple classroom management ideas will help you maximize your classroom time for learning. You'll also discover powerful ideas and interesting web sites that you can immediately use to enhance your language arts, math, science, and social studies curriculum. You will discover pointers on using email and the Internet effectively to increase your students' understanding and learning in all content areas.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Microsoft Word 2003 in the Classroom (2 PLUs)

Mastering Microsoft Word can make you a more productive and creative teacher. Throughout this course, you’ll learn to create, open, edit, and save documents, as well as create tabs and margins, set left, center, right, and justified spacing, add clip art and tables, and complete a host of other exciting tasks. As you get more familiar with this program, you'll find that it enhances your teaching in ways you didn't think possible.

As we walk through our virtual tour of Microsoft Word, you'll encounter a lot of program features you may not have known about—features that enable you to control document presentation, stay organized, and keep your students inspired and excited.

This course is vital for today's teachers who have to produce and achieve so much in so little time. Join us and find out how to turn this dynamic program into a launching pad for creative lesson plans and engaging classroom activities.

Requirements: Microsoft Word 2003, Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape or Firefox or Internet Explorer Web browser. Note: please be sure to install the required software on your computer before the course begins. This course is not suitable for Macintosh users, nor for users of any of the 2007 versions of Microsoft Word.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Microsoft Excel 2003 in the Classroom (2 PLUs)

Taught by a 10-year veteran of both the classroom and the school computer lab, Microsoft Excel 2003 in the Classroom is a unique online workshop packed full of tips, shortcuts, and lesson plan ideas just for teachers who want to bring the power of Excel into their classrooms, both as an organizational tool and as a teaching aid.

You'll learn all the important Excel basics: Using the toolbars, formatting cells and worksheets, inserting formulas for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and creating colorful charts and graphs. Then you'll move on to some more advanced Excel features: Sorting and analyzing student test data, writing powerful mathematical formulas, and using the Function Wizard to automatically calculate student averages and other statistics. You'll finish up the course by creating a fully customizable grade book that you use in your own classroom.

Throughout the course, you'll explore standards-based lesson plans and activities that will allow you to pass your Excel knowledge on to your students, no matter what grade level you teach. By the end of this course, you'll have a solid understanding of the basic functions of Excel, and a wealth of ideas for integrating this powerful technology into your lesson plans across your curriculum.

Requirements: Microsoft Windows XP or 2000, Microsoft Excel 2003 or Microsoft Office 2003 (Student and Teacher Edition, Standard Edition, Small Business Edition, or Professional Edition are all acceptable - please be sure to install the software on your computer before the course begins), Internet access, e-mail, and the Internet Explorer or Netscape or Firefox Web browser. This course is not suitable for Macintosh users, nor for users of any of the 2007 versions of Microsoft Excel.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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PowerPoint in the Classroom (2 PLUs)

Need help motivating students and boosting interest in your lessons? This course will help you create captivating and attention-grabbing classroom presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint. You'll learn basic PowerPoint skills such as creating slides, using templates, inserting text, changing background colors, creating WordArt titles, and adding slide transitions. You'll also develop advanced skills such as inserting graphics, sound, and video, custom animations, timed transitions, and hyperlinks.

You'll be able to publish your presentation on a school Web site or even take your PowerPoint shows on the road. You'll also be able to create presentations filled with scanned drawings created by your students or digital photograph slide shows. This class will assist you in learning these skills.

Your instructor will walk you step-by-step through several different types of classroom presentations. You'll be able to create lectures, interactive presentations that viewers can use independently, and impressive presentations complete with narration for your students' independent use on computer stations or enrichment activities.

Each lesson also includes a wealth of ideas and suggestions you can apply in the classroom--as well as ideas you can use to help your students develop their PowerPoint and presentation skills.

Using PowerPoint in the classroom addresses different learning styles, heightens student interest, and engages learners. PowerPoint is a fun and motivational tool for teachers as well as students. This class will give you the knowledge you need to add appeal to any classroom subject!

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser, and Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows version 97, 2000, or XP. Macintosh PowerPoint 98 will also be supported.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 (2 PLUs)

Easy to learn and fun to use, PowerPoint 2003 sets the standard by which all other presentation programs are measured.

In this highly interactive hands-on class, you’ll learn how to create dazzling multimedia presentations for just about any audience. You'll be able to create and display slides filled with formatted text, video, audio, animation, special effects, charts, outlines, video clips, images, and links to the Web.

You’ll learn how to work with task panes and the clip organizer, and how to access the Design Gallery Live and Template Gallery Web sites to download clip art and templates for your presentations. You’ll even be able to save your presentations in HTML so they can be shared with others over the Web.

You’ll also learn how to use some of the exciting new features exclusive to PowerPoint 2003, including the new PowerPoint Viewer, the Package-for-CD feature, and the Reference task pane.

Your instructor will share with you her many years of teaching experience, providing you with valuable tips and keyboard shortcuts to use with PowerPoint 2003. She’ll also take you on many field trips to useful Web sites that will help broaden your knowledge of PowerPoint. (2.4 CEUs)

This course has been approved for PLU 2 credits for teachers in the state of Georgia.

Requirements: Microsoft Windows XP or 2000, Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 or Microsoft Office 2003 (Student and Teacher Edition, Standard Edition, Small Business Edition, or Professional Edition are all acceptable), Internet access, e-mail, and Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Using the Internet in the Classroom (2 PLUs)

Harness the power of the Internet to make your textbooks and lessons come alive! Teach your students how to locate and evaluate Internet resources. Improve the caliber and amount of discussion through the use of e-mail and discussion boards. Learn how to safeguard your students and their personal information while they are using the Internet. The Internet can make teaching easier--this course will show you how.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Integrating Technology in the Classroom (2 PLUs)

In this professional development course for teachers, you'll learn the secrets of technology integration in the classroom, gaining the skills educators need to use tools such as wikis, podcasts, and blogs effectively. You'll discover simple ways to integrate technology to enhance your subject material and meet your course goals. We'll explore quick-and-easy, standards-based solutions for more interactive lesson plans, exciting WebQuests, and challenging assignments. We’ll also unleash the power of Web resources, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

You'll learn how to design your presentation station, identify kid-friendly Internet search tools, teach keyboarding and word processing, and develop standards-based, integrated lesson plans in reading, writing, science, math, social studies, music, and art. We'll delve into ways to reach special needs, GATE, and bilingual learners. Finally, we'll look at computer ethics and the future of technology in the classroom.

Whether you’re new to the integration process or already use emerging technologies in your classroom, this course is a must for all of today's teachers who often have to produce more and more in less and less time. By the end of our time together, you'll have a treasure of ideas for integrating all types of technology into your lesson plans across the curriculum!

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Survival Kit for New Teachers (2 PLUs)

Feel a little trepidation before entering your classroom? You're not alone! Whether you’re already teaching, a newly credentialed graduate, or a substitute looking to transition to full-time, this course will provide you with proven tools, tips, and tricks to make your early years in the classroom a breeze.

Teaching is a balancing act, and it requires a blend of subject expertise and classroom skills to reach all of your diverse learners. In this informational and interactive six-week course, you'll learn the particulars of running a motivational classroom that will feel like home to your students.

You'll find out how to write winning lesson plans, reach diverse learners through differentiated instruction, communicate clearly, plan memorable events, and most important, keep stress at bay so you can feel good about going to work every morning.

Much like a virtual mentoring program, Survival Kit for New Teachers will provide you with benefits gained through many years of firsthand classroom experience.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Ready, Set, Read! (2 PLUs)

Take this opportunity to find out how children really learn to read and write. Explore current research that cuts through the media messages about reading wars and the right way to teach children. Learn by reading stories about children, doing interactive assignments, and exploring the latest in parent and childcare information. You will see everyday children’s play with a new eye as you understand how play can connect to literacy.

You'll learn how a child becomes literate from the moment of birth. First, you’ll investigate the many things a child’s growing mind must do to make sense of the written word and create writing. From there, you’ll explore the development of reading and writing from infancy to the early school years. You’ll know what problems to look for and how to assist a struggling reader. You will see how you can boost literacy growth during daily routines and child’s play.

Gain confidence in your ability to guide a child’s literacy development, and take pleasure in seeing how even the littlest events can lead to really big steps in reading and writing success. (2.4 CEUs, 2 PLUs)

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Speed Spanish (2 PLUs)

Imagine yourself speaking, reading and writing Spanish. Now you can with Speed Spanish! This course is designed for anyone who wants to learn Spanish pronto. You'll learn six easy recipes for gluing Spanish words together to form sentences. In no time at all, you'll be able to go into any Spanish speaking situation and converse in Spanish. ¡Qué Bueno!

This course has been approved for PLU credit for teachers in the state of Georgia.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Speed Spanish II (2 PLUs)

Have you ever seen a non-native speaking Spanish fluently? Were you impressed? Would you like to become more conversational and more comfortable in Spanish-speaking situations? Now you can. Our Speed Spanish courses are unlike any other Spanish classes you may have ever taken. You'll see words, hear them pronounced properly, and be granted plenty of opportunities to practice your pronunciation. Then, you'll learn several clever recipes that you can use to glue the words together into sentences. Enroll in Speed Spanish II, and you'll see an immediate improvement in your Spanish fluency from the very first lesson.

This course has been approved for PLU credit for teachers in the state of Georgia.

Requirements: Completion of Dan Mikel's Speed Spanish course, Internet access, e-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser, and a computer equipped with working speakers or headphones.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Big Ideas in Little Books (2 PLUs)

Do you have an idea for an instructional aid? The instructor--a former K-12 teacher who is also the author and developer of over 50 products for the educational market, will help you develop instructional aids that align with standards important to your district.

This exciting program will show you how how to create and self-publish work books, lab manuals, booklets, activity kits, visual aids, manipulatives, and other powerful instructional aids. You'll also learn how to profit from your ideas by offering the products you develop for sale through catalogs, stores, and trade shows. (2.4 CEUs, 2 PLUs)

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Teaching Science: Grades 4-6 (2 PLUs)

Want to increase your effectiveness as a science teacher for the middle grades? Join us and learn about the nature and history of science as well as how to help students in this age group grasp the scientific method.

You'll receive lots of worksheets and specific examples of some great experiments you can use in your own classroom. We'll cover principles of direct instruction and many different learning and organizational tools that will benefit your students. You'll even learn how you can use science class to improve the emotional climate in your classroom!

All through the course, we'll provide worksheets and check lists you and your students can put to immediate use. You'll see how helpful they are in the lessons on the scientific method, writing a research paper, and producing a science fair. We'll also cover foundational content in both physical science and life science. You'll learn how to use a study of the earth's atmosphere to teach students how to make and interpret a variety of graphs—an important skill for standardized testing.

By the end of the course, you'll have gained knowledge about both science and teaching methods. Your confidence will soar and you'll have many new skills that will benefit both you and the children you teach. You'll also learn about some of the best Web sites available to science teachers—they'll be great resources for you! And we'll all benefit from the Discussion Area where you can share your experiences and profit from the experiences of your fellow teachers.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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The Creative Classroom (2 PLUs)

Creativity will abound in your classroom as you tap your students' hidden talents. Learn how to use creativity to teach reading, writing, visual arts, performing arts, social studies, science, mathematics, and physical and health education. Develop creative new approaches to field trips, learning labs, activities, exercises, assignments, and evaluation methods. Think beyond the textbook and challenge your students by making your classroom a creative classroom! (2.4 CEUs, 2 PLUs)

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Solving Classroom Discipline Problems (2 PLUs)

Why do some teachers enjoy peaceful, orderly classrooms while others face daily discipline battles? The answer is that some teachers know the secrets to solving discipline problems. This course reveals those secrets and presents a step-by-step approach to effective, positive classroom discipline. (2.4 CEUs)

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Enhancing Language Development in Childhood (2 PLUs)

Follow your child's lead and have fun while enhancing language development! In this fun and user-friendly course for parents, teachers, and caregivers, you will discover how children learn to process language and how they become proficient speakers and thinkers. This course will help you enrich your child's life by stimulating his or her continued speech, brain, and language development in an enjoyable, age-appropriate, and natural way.

This course has been approved for PLU credit for teachers in the state of Georgia.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Understanding Adolescents
(Understanding Adolescent Development - 2 PLUs)

To know your kids is to love them. In this course, an experienced social worker will help you gain a deep understanding and appreciation of your adolescent's development and behavior. You'll uncover the secrets of the adolescent mind and gain valuable information on how they think, how they feel, how their identities develop, and what steps you can take to ensure that you are well prepared to meet the needs of the teens in your life.

Objectives:
By the end of this course, the student will:

understand all aspects of adolescent development and how they work together
be able to make clear and well-thought-out decisions in regards to adolescents
develop skills required to work or parent more effectively with adolescents

This course has been approved for PLU credit for teachers in the state of Georgia. .

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Enhancing Language Development in Childhood (2 PLUs)

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Microsoft Word 2007 in the Classroom (2 PLUs)

Microsoft Word 2007 in the Classroom Mastering Microsoft Word can make you a more productive and creative teacher. You'll learn how to create, open, edit, and save documents, as well as how to create tabs, margins, and spacing. Then you'll make your classroom documents come to life. You'll add borders, clip art, and WordArt. You'll even insert shapes, pictures, tables, and complete a host of other exciting tasks that you can teach your students. As you get more familiar with this program, you'll find that it enhances your teaching in ways you didn't think possible, and you'll have a host of ideas for curriculum-related classroom projects.

As we walk through our virtual tour of Microsoft Word, you'll encounter a lot of program features you may not have known about—features that enable you to control document presentation, stay organized, and keep your students inspired and excited. You'll even produce templates that you can use for classroom tests, create a classroom poster, and use Word's table tools to create a class grade roster.

This course is vital for today's teachers who have to produce and achieve so much in so little time. Join us and find out how to turn this dynamic program into a launching pad for creative lesson plans and engaging classroom activities.

This course has been approved for PLU credit for teachers in the state of Georgia.

Requirements: Microsoft Windows Vista or XP, Microsoft Word 2007 or Microsoft Word Home and Student Edition 2007 or Microsoft Office 2007 or Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007. A free trial version may also be available at Microsoft's Web site. Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins; Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape or Firefox or Internet Explorer Web browser. Note: This course is not suitable for Macintosh users.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Microsoft Excel 2007 in the Classroom (2 PLUs)

Learn the basics of Microsoft Excel 2007 in this professional development course for teachers, and get the training every teacher needs for using and teaching this powerful program effectively in the classroom. This unique online workshop is packed full of tips, shortcuts, and lesson plan ideas.

First, we'll cover all the important Excel fundamentals: Using tabs, formatting cells and worksheets, inserting formulas for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and creating colorful charts and graphs. Then we'll move on to more advanced Excel features such as sorting and analyzing student test data for differentiated instruction, writing powerful mathematical formulas, and using Excel to automatically calculate student averages and other statistics. You'll finish the course by creating a customizable grade book that you can use in your own classroom.

Throughout the course, we'll explore standards-based lesson plans and activities that allow you to pass your Excel knowledge on to your students, no matter what grade level you teach. By the end, you'll have a solid understanding of Excel, and a wealth of ideas for integrating this technology into your lesson plans across your curriculum.

This course has been approved for PLU credit for teachers in the state of Georgia.

Requirements: Microsoft Windows Vista or XP, Microsoft Excel 2007 or Microsoft Excel Home and Student 2007 or Microsoft Office 2007 (the Home and Student Edition, of Microsoft Office 2007 are also acceptable). A free trial version may also be available at Microsoft's Web site. Please be sure to install the software on your computer before the course begins; Internet access, e-mail, and the Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Firefox Web browser. This course is not suitable for Macintosh users.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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An Introduction to Teaching ESL/EFL (2 PLUs)

Would you like to increase your effectiveness as an English language teacher? Would you like to go beyond the well-known methods that often leave teachers frustrated with their one-size-fits-all approach? This course will take you on a fascinating exploration of what it means to be a teacher, how to understand who your students are and the needs they have, and how to choose the most appropriate materials and activities for your classroom. You'll learn how you can choose and fine-tune the principles that exactly fit your teaching situation.

During the next six weeks, we'll rethink the traditional native vs. non-native speaker distinction, see why teaching English is so different from teaching other subjects, and explore innovative approaches like Communicative Language Teaching and the lexical approach. You'll gain new insights and ideas for teaching vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. You'll also discover what some of your options are in designing fair and accurate tests. And you'll learn how to keep learning and growing throughout your teaching career. Also, students who successfully complete this course will receive a TESOL Certificate of Completion.

So join us on this journey of becoming a more reflective and effective English language teacher!

This course has been approved for PLU credit for teachers in the state of Georgia.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Creating Web Pages (2 PLUs)

Create and post your very own Web site on the Internet in this extensive, hands-on, six week workshop. First, you'll learn about the capabilities of the World Wide Web and the fundamentals of web design. Then, with your instructor's patient guidance, you'll plan the content, structure and layout of your Web site, create pages full of neatly formatted text, build links between the pages and to the outside world, and add color, backgrounds, graphics, tables, hot buttons, and animation. You'll also learn critical and timely information on securing the best possible location in search engine listings, and powerful no-cost or low-cost web marketing strategies.

This course has been approved for PLU credit for teachers in the state of Georgia.

Requirements: Internet access, E-mail, Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Firefox Web browser, familiarity with the Internet, and a computer of any type.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Teaching Math: Grades 4-6 (2 PLUs)

Reinvent math instruction for grades 4-6 by bringing hands-on learning, inexpensive manipulatives, and real-world connections into your classroom. Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned pro, this course will help you get your students excited about math!

Over the next six weeks, you'll learn the best ways to walk students through the complexities of elementary school math. From teaching them the best way to learn complicated vocabulary to turning them into problem-solving detectives, you'll discover lots of fun and practical ways to extend your students’ learning into their homes, the community, and the world. Whether you end up using clever geometry manipulatives or handmade fraction bars, math journals or Family Math nights, you'll soak up dozens of strategies that require little or no money if you supply a lot of imagination.

If you’ve been waiting to jumpstart your math instruction, now’s the time to double your teaching power without adding a lot of work.

This course has been approved for PLU credit for teachers in the state of Georgia.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Guided Reading: Strategies for the Differentiated Classroom (2 PLUs)

Now more than ever, today's teachers are grappling with the question of how to reach struggling readers. While there are no quick fixes, thousands of teachers are combining the principles of differentiated instruction and guided reading with unparalleled success. Mixed in the right proportion, these popular strategies will help you build a balanced literary framework that gets results with even the most challenged learners.

Differentiated instruction tactics will help you understand how your students learn so you can teach in a way that makes sense to them. When you apply those tactics within the guided reading framework, which helps you lead students through new ways of approaching text, great things start to happen. The result is a classroom full of students who are able to negotiate increasingly challenging texts with unprecedented fluency.

This course is critical for today's educators, who often have to teach on the run with limited resources and unlimited demands on their time. Get ready to reach your readers with ease in no time flat!

This course has been approved for PLU credit for teachers in the state of Georgia.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Guided Reading and Writing: Strategies for Maximum Student Achievement (2 PLUs)

Around 30% of students in sixth grade already have trouble with basic reading and writing. These literacy problems affect performance across subject areas, and they often leave teachers wondering how to help. Get the professional development training you need to improve student literacy as an accomplished teacher shares the secrets of turning guided reading strategies into opportunities for teaching writing. The road to literacy is also the road to ingenuity, invention, and imagination, and you'll soon learn how to take your students from groans to grins with creative lesson plans that really work!

We'll start our journey by talking about the reasons reading and writing are so difficult for students. Then we'll meet the total literacy framework and see how it mitigates literacy problems once and for all. Since this framework is based on guided reading lessons that flow naturally into writing challenges, you'll learn the recipe for a successful guided reading into writing lesson.

Once the framework is in place, we'll investigate a number of ways to modify this basic recipe for a variety of K-12 circumstances, wrapping up with a look at good writing habits and the traits of a productive writing conference. If you're looking for the right way to get students excited about the power of literacy, this is the course for you!

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Working Successfully With Learning Disabled Students (2 PLUs)

Learn how to successfully meet the diverse needs of the disabled students in your classroom from an experienced special educator. We'll dissect the whole special education process, from working with individualized education programs (IEPs) to helping students struggling with reading comprehension, math skills, and writing.

We'll also talk about fun games you can incorporate, tips for modifying your classroom, and lots of tested methods for bringing out the best behavior in your students. Every teacher can have success teaching learning disabled kids. In this course, you'll discover easy, practical, and creative strategies that will help your struggling students find their light bulb moments!

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Solving Classroom Discipline Problems II (2 PLUs)

In this professional development course, you'll get the teacher training you need to deal effectively with serious discipline problems and help even the most challenging students you're teaching make more responsible choices. You'll discover how to use a new research-based six-step approach to solve severe and chronic discipline problems, including bullying, fighting, using abusive language, stealing, and refusing to work.

You'll learn how to deal with the special problem of attention deficit disorder, find out how to use time-outs effectively, and see how class meetings can help solve class-wide discipline problems.

We'll cover numerous preventative strategies, including 12 actions you and your colleagues can take to prevent problems from occurring in the common areas of your school, and six practical strategies that can prevent student violence.

You'll gain a new understanding of what motivates severe and chronic misbehavior and, more important, what actions will help you effectively find solutions. We'll look at numerous real-life examples set in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms so you can see how to put the ideas into action in your own teaching situation.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Creating the Inclusive Classroom: Strategies for Success (2 PLUs)

In this professional development course for teachers, you'll get the training you need to reach the diverse mix of students you face every day—learning proven strategies that turn diversity into opportunity. With a mix of students who have learning disabilities, neurobiological disorders, and physical challenges, the modern classroom requires an efficient and effective teacher who can prioritize under tight deadlines and be creative on demand. Over the next six weeks, you'll learn how to be the kind of super teacher who can guide every student toward academic success. And do you know what the best part is? You don't have to tear your hair out in order to adapt each lesson so that it makes sense for all your students!

We'll start our journey by talking about how students with special needs became a part of the mainstream. Then we'll discuss the inclusive classroom as a home for these students, exploring how all our kids can benefit from an adaptive learning environment. We'll examine how each child learns and what you can do to help him or her develop new strengths. You'll gain a deeper understanding about building collaborative partnerships with the special educator and classroom aides.

Over the course of 12 lessons, you'll discover creative, low-budget strategies for turning your inclusive classroom into a nurturing, supportive learning environment that helps every student. If you're looking for the right way to get all your students excited about coming to school, this is the course for you!

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95

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Teaching Writing: Grades 4-6 (2 PLUs)

      Dates:Click here for schedule; Lessons released Wednesday & Friday over a six week period
      Time: 24/7
      Location:Online access from any computer with Internet capability
      Fee:$95
      Additional Information: Teaching Writing: Grades 4-6

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Response to Intervention: Reading Strategies That Work (2 PLUs)

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could be proactive in helping our struggling readers? Well, we can! In this six-week course, you'll learn response to intervention (RTI) strategies that ensure the struggling readers in your classroom get the help and education they need. RTI is research based and gives us a strategic plan to bring tiered interventions to our students, at their reading level and with their unique challenges in mind. Helping them with phonics, fluency, vocabulary mastery, comprehension, and writing, these intervention strategies tackle the toughest literacy problems with flexibility and creativity.

During our time together, you'll discover tools like Elkonin Boxes, alphabetic arcs, Bloom's Taxonomy, and new and exciting graphic organizers. Whether you're working with struggling readers in kindergarten or 12th grade, you'll find that these strategies work with a full 80% of students, without the need for special pull-outs or extra IEP intervention. Why? Because RTI gets to the root of the problem—quickly!

If you're eager to learn the right ways to help your struggling readers make steady progress throughout the year, you'll find that this course gives you the power to teach flexibly and creatively, without the need for extra training in literacy or fluency. As an added bonus, there's nothing quite like helping students discover the pleasures of reading!
Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

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Leadership (2 PLUs)

Leadership skills can help you gain the respect and admiration of others, while also allowing you to enjoy success in your career and more control over your destiny. Contrary to popular belief, leadership skills can be learned and developed. Even if you don't hold a leadership position, this course will teach you how to use the principles of great leaders to achieve success in almost every aspect of your daily life.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

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Teaching ESL/EFL Reading (2 PLUs)

Did you realize that reading is one of the most important skills you can teach? The skill of reading not only gives your students what they need to be successful learners, but it also makes them more self-confident and eager to learn their whole life long. It's truly at the core of the other language skills—listening, speaking, writing, and grammar. In this course, you'll learn how to show your students the value of reading to motivate them to become strong readers.

Together, we'll explore the core skills of intensive reading. Then we'll examine extensive reading and how to integrate it into your curriculum. Next, we'll cover ways to bring vocabulary teaching into your reading classroom. You'll find out the difference between teaching comprehension and merely testing on it. They're not the same!

We'll also look at ways to help your students develop a fluent reading rate and use strategies for reading successfully. And we'll round out our time together by discussing how to plan effective lessons, design a strong reading curriculum, select appropriate reading materials, and assess students to encourage their growth.

If you would like to pass a passion for reading on to your students, then this is the course for you!

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

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Teaching Students With Autism: Strategies for Success (2 PLUs)

Just 20 years ago, we didn't see students with autism in our classrooms. But today, we teach children with high-functioning autism and Asperger's Syndrome right alongside their neurotypical peers. Reaching and teaching these students requires a delicate balancing act: understanding how their brains are wired, helping them turn challenges into opportunities, and learning to enjoy the rich perspective they bring to the classroom.

If you've ever had a student who blurted out in class, screamed when someone patted his or her shoulder, or rocked back and forth in the chair, you'll appreciate the lessons ahead. We'll discover the neurobiology behind these disorders and the way it affects students' behavior, learning, and thinking. Most important, you'll learn creative, easy, low-budget strategies to help these kids succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Develop the skills to counter these students' social awkwardness, sensory sensitivities, meltdowns, problems with homework completion, language reciprocity issues, and violent fixations. Even if you don't have a student with high-functioning autism or Asperger's Syndrome in your class this year, these strategies will equip you to deal with any student who exhibits these characteristics on a regular basis.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

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Singapore Math Strategies: Model Drawing for Grades 1-6 (2 PLUs)

In this professional development course for teachers, you'll get the training you need to start teaching model drawing, the powerful Singapore Math strategy that gives word problems a visual context. As a teacher, you know that many students groan when it's time to solve word problems. Why is that? Are the problems too difficult? Do students get lost trying to decipher the wording or figure out the computation? Do they simply not know which strategy to use? Actually, it's a combination of all these issues. Luckily, model drawing, a Singapore Math strategy for working word problems, will help your students start to enjoy math in a way they may never have before.

The secret behind model drawing is that it gives students a concrete, reliable set of seven steps that they can use to solve 80% of the word problems out there. They won't have to memorize 20 different techniques and know when to use which anymore. Instead, they'll learn how to read the problem, determine its variables, draw a unit bar (the visual model), adjust that bar, place the question mark to indicate what they're solving for, do the computation, and write a complete sentence at the end.

Does it sound too good to be true? This six-week course will prove to you just how effective model drawing can be in your classroom!

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

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Spanish in the Classroom (2 PLUs)

If you're struggling to communicate with your Spanish-speaking students and their families, and you don't know your cabeza from your codo (that's your head from your elbow), don't worry—help is here!

Whether you took a Spanish class 20 years ago and just want to brush up a bit, or you have never taken a Spanish class, you'll learn the essential Spanish for teachers and bridge the communication gap with your Spanish-speaking students and parents. Rest assured that this won't be anything like your typical high school Spanish course. We'll skip the frills and focus on "survival Spanish" you can put to work immediately. We've tossed out long vocabulary lists and complex grammar rules and replaced them with games and stories to make learning easy, painless, and even fun. You'll learn new words in easy-to-digest bites, and each lesson will include Supplementary Material to help you keep expanding your vocabulary.

We'll start with the basics of Spanish pronunciation, and then we'll move right into simple words for everyday things, such as colors, numbers, and question words. Then you'll learn more of the basics of conversational phrases, family names, and directions. Next, we'll get into what it's like on the first day of school as we go over words related to enrolling new students, conversing in the classroom, talking about rules and behavior, and basic vocabulary for various academic subjects. We'll also cover Spanish words and phrases to use in the cafeteria, on the playground, and even in the nurses office! Finally, we'll delve into some survival phrases for the parent-teacher conference as you learn to describe how a child is doing, talk about academic or behavior problems, and discuss grades and homework

By the end of this course, you'll be well on the path to being a Spanish speaker and communicating more effectively with the Spanish-speakers all around you. ¡Vamos! (Let's go!)

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

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Singapore Math Strategies: Number Sense and Computation (2 PLUs)

Do your students cringe when it's time to pull out their math books? For many students, basic math is a struggle. But for students and teachers in Singapore, math is much more intuitive. And Singaporean students have been top mathematics performers for over a decade!

Using a layered curriculum founded on solid number sense and concrete, pictorial, and abstract computational strategies, Singaporean teachers make math purposeful, interesting, and relevant. Soon you'll learn their secrets and be able to have the same kind of meaningful math lessons in your classroom.

In this teacher training course, you'll learn over two dozen strategies to make math click for your students. We'll begin by exploring what Singapore Math is and how it has become such a powerful and highly regarded math curriculum. Then we'll talk about how number sense and place value instruction are the basis for all Singapore Math. From there, we'll learn a variety of computational strategies to make addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division a cinch.

You won't need a passport to discover the curriculum of the world's math leader!

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

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Practical Ideas for the Adult ESL/EFL Classroom (2 PLUs)

Learn ESL teaching strategies that will set your adult ESL/EFL students up for success! Over the next six weeks, you'll discover ways to teach ESL that create a meaningful and positive learning environment for your students. You'll get to know what motivates them and how you can tailor your ESL teaching methods to their needs.

We'll look at the key role that planning plays, because when your students know what to expect, they'll respond positively—and you'll teach with more confidence. You'll gather a wealth of principles for how to choose truly effective activities for such skills as listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, and pronunciation. Along the way, you'll pick up practical ways to incorporate both traditional and alternative forms of assessment into your classroom teaching. And finally, we'll spend some time talking about how you can become a more reflective teacher and continue to grow both professionally and personally.

By the end of this course, you'll be teaching ESL in a way that helps your students move skillfully from the classroom to the real world!

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

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Homeschool With Success (2 PLUs)

Homeschooling can be a bit of a mystery if you're new to the topic. In this course, we'll start at the beginning, delving into the history of homeschooling and examining its status today in all 50 states. You'll see how to find the laws and regulations that govern your community--and you might be surprised to learn that homeschooling is legal and growing all around you. As you discover what you need to know to homeschool your children, you'll also become familiar with the terminology the homeschool community uses.

To ensure you're well prepared to meet your children's needs, we'll discuss learning styles and how they affect homeschooling. You'll learn how to take your children out of school and make their transition to homeschooling both fun and effective. We'll talk about children that need extra attention, both special needs and gifted, and a variety of types of homeschooling so you can choose the one that best fits your family's lifestyle.

You'll see how homeschooling gives you the opportunity to socialize your children as well as build long-lasting and productive relationships with peers and adults. We'll also explore homeschool support groups, which provide resources for teaching your children and can be a source of friends, emotional support, and lots of fun activities with like-minded families.

You'll also find out how homeschooling gives you unique opportunities to teach valuable life skills. From manners to money management, you can be sure your children master subjects that don't make it into most textbooks. We'll also talk about full-time homeschooling for travelers and how it can fit into their adventurous lives.

When you finish this course, you'll have lots of information and guidance to plot your homeschooling course for years to come!

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape, Firefox, or Internet Explorer Web browser.

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System Requirements for CD-ROM courses:
These computer-based software courses are designed to be run from the compact disc (CD) and saves user data on the hard drive of their Macintosh or Windows computer. You MUST begin and complete your course on the same computer.

Macintosh Requirements:

Operating system 9.2, OS10.x, OS X 10.5 Leopard
A color monitor, min. 15" capable of displaying 800x600 px
256 MB of RAM, 5MB of hard disk space
A printer attached to your computer

Windows Requirements:

Windows XP or newer
A color monitor, min. 15" capable of displaying 800x600 px
256 MB of RAM, at least 5 MB of available hard drive space
A printer attached to your computer

System Requirements for Online courses:
In general you will need a basic computer running Windows 98 or higher with Internet access, e-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer web browser. For those courses related to a specific software application (PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) you will need to have the appropriate software installed on your computer.

PLU Requirements:
A "Prior Approval" form will be sent to you upon registration. This form must be completed and signed by your superintendent or system designee and returned to VSU Continuing Education. If you are not currently employed in a school setting you must sign the bottom of the form. It is your responsibility to make sure your school system will accept courses delivered via Computer Based Instruction (CD-ROM) or Online Instruction for PLU credit.

Upon completion of the course you must submit the required assignments and original course completion certificate as directed in your course materials. For CD-ROM courses, mail or fax the certificate and evaluation form as instructed with your instructional package. Those taking online courses should mail or fax the certificate generated upon submission of the final to VSU Continuing Education (fax 229.333.5397). Upon verification of mastery a "Completion Letter" will be sent to your superintendent or system designee and a copy will be sent to you for your records.

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