Frequently Asked Questions
Participants | Facilitators | Developers
Participants
Can e-Learning for Educators courses be used for required professional development hours for teachers?
Yes. Professional development to meet teacher certification requirements may include contact hours of district-approved professional improvement activities or appropriate college course work.
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Can e-Learning for Educators courses be used to meet requirements for other certifications?
Yes, e-Learning courses can be used as professional development to meet certification requirements for AEL, Professional Cert, Career Education, Student Services and Administration.
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What is e-Learning for Educators: Missouri?
e-Learning for Educators is a five-year, Ready to Teach program focused on high-quality teaching and professional development. The program involves public television stations and state departments of education in nine states creating and delivering Internet-based professional development courses for K-12 teachers. Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, KETC/Channel 9 Public Broadcasting Station and various institutions of higher education in Missouri have formed a ground breaking partnership to bring e-Learning for Educators: Missouri to our state’s educators.
e-Learning for Educators: Missouri offers high-quality online professional development designed to increase teacher knowledge and skills that in turn improve student performance.
Who can take courses?
e-Learning for Educators: Missouri is open to all Missouri educators: public, private and parochial. These courses were selected and developed with Missouri educators in mind; however, educators from other states are welcome to join us if there are courses that would be beneficial to them in their professional practice.
What are the benefits to taking an e-Learning for Educators: Missouri course?
e-Learning for Educators is Web-based professional development that targets improved teacher content knowledge, improved teaching practices and increased student achievement.
Benefits include:
- Online courses can fit easily into a busy schedule
- Learn at home with no need to travel or purchase and install special software
- Graduate credit is available through UMKC, UMSL and Missouri State University
Become a part of a community of learners
- Facilitators are experienced Missouri educators
- Learn new skills in a supportive environment – assistance is just a phone call or e-mail away
What grade levels can participate?
Currently, the e-Learning for Educators: Missouri courses are focused on Elementary and Middle School. However, new courses are always being developed. If you have a suggestion for a course you would like to see developed, contact e-Learning for Educators: Missouri at elearning@missouri.edu.
What courses are available?
Find the list of courses offered for each term ....
Can we have a course for just our district or school?
Yes, a course can be run for teachers in your district or school for a fee.
- Up to 20 participants - $1,700
- 20-25 participants - $1,900
Many more topics are available for such courses than we can offer for general admission. Find the complete list of courses in the e-Learning for Educators: Missouri course catalog.
Contact e-Learning for Educators: Missouri at elearning@missouri.edu if you are interested in setting up a course for your district or school.
Is online learning as good as face-to-face learning?
Most research studies on e-learning are based on higher education courses, with impact on learning measured by tests and grades (Phillips and Merisotis, 1999). The most common result of this research is to find no significant differences between student learning in face-to-face and online courses, and to find that those who take online versions of courses are as satisfied with the experience as those who attended classes (Russell, 1999). However, in some studies, such as Koory’s (2003) comparison of an Introduction to Shakespeare course delivered online and face-to-face, and Harlen & Altobello’s (2003) comparison of an online and face-to-face science education course, the results showed better learning outcomes online.
Survey data from participants in many online professional development programs show that when online courses are well-designed and implemented, participants report them to be valuable and enjoyable learning experiences that impact both knowledge and professional practice. For example, survey data from participants in online workshops about integrating technology into classroom practices provided by the EdTech Leaders Online program show that: 92% said they benefited from and enjoyed learning online and would be interested in online learning in the future; 91% reported increased understanding of how to use technology to support the curriculum; and 93% reported they used things they learned in the workshop in their work (Sucher and Engel, 2003). Similarly, an evaluation report of the Florida Online Reading Professional Development program found that over 90% of participants indicated that the program contributed to their knowledge of effective reading theory, research, and instructional practice, and over 87% indicated they would make changes to their classroom reading instruction as a result of the program (ITRC, 2001).
When do I pay fees to enroll in e-Learning courses for graduate credit?
The fees of $125/course to enroll in an e-Learning for Educators course must be paid within 10 days of enrollment AND before the first day of the course. If you wish to take the course for graduate credit, the additional $100/credit hour will be paid directly to the institution you choose from those offering graduate credit. If you expressed interest in graduate credit when you registered for a course, you will be sent graduate credit enrollment information before the start date for your course.
How much will the course cost if it counts toward my masters degree?
- Each course costs $125/course to enroll. This fee must be paid to e-Learning for Educators within 10 days of registration and before the first day of the course..
- If you wish to take the course for graduate credit, an additional $100/credit hour must be paid directly to the institution you choose from those offering graduate credit. If you expressed interest in graduate credit when you registered for an e-Learning for Educators course, you will be sent graduate credit enrollment information before the start date for the course. The cost for the graduate credit hours is the same for every teacher.
For example, if you are taking a 7-week course for graduate credit, the total cost would be $325: $125 to e-Learning and $200 for the two graduate credits from the institution of your choice (UMKC, UMSL or MSU).
How many credits do I receive for taking an online course?
A 5-week course is worth 1 credit hour and a 7-week course is worth 2 credit hours.
How do I know if the graduate credits will be transferable to the college or university where I am currently enrolled in a degree program?
To make sure that the credit will transfer to a degree program you are currently enrolled in or plan to enroll in, contact your academic advisor. It will vary from institution to institution.
What format will the online courses use?
The e-Learning for Educators courses will use the Moodle open-source course management system.
Facilitators
What is the 10-week training course for facilitators? How much does it cost? What materials and equipment do I need to complete the course?
The 10-week training course for facilitators is free of charge. It is designed to teach participants how to facilitate online courses, familiarize them with the courses e-Learning for Educators offers and introduce them to the e-Learning online course environment.
The training course is entirely online. An Internet-connected computer and web browser are the only equipment required.
What curriculum and technical skills are required for course facilitators?
All course content is already developed including assignments and discussion questions. Knowledge of and experience with content is definitely valued but above all else e-Learning for Educators is most interested in finding people who are enthusiastic and attentive facilitators. Facilitators can always refer participants with difficult questions or technical issues to experts at RPDCs, SuccessLink, DESE and eMINTS.
What do e-Learning course facilitators' responsibilities include?
Course facilitators are responsible for
- Sending weekly e-mail messages to participants to help them stay interested and enthusiastic about the course.
- Contacting the e-Learning office if any issues arise such as participants needing to drop the course, etc.
- Monitoring course participation and encouraging high-quality interactions in discussion forums.
- Grading graduate credit work for participants who choose to take the course for graduate credit. The course syllabus, assignment descriptions and scoring guides are provided to facilitators. About 60% of participants take e-Learning courses for graduate credit.
- Reporting to the e-Learning office at the end of each course: graduate credit grades and names of participants who successfully completed the course requirements (the e-Learning office sends out certificates of completion).
Developers
More answers will be added as questions are submitted.
Send additional questions to e-Learning for Educators: Missouri.
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