The provider employs the following to ensure the online instructors’ ability to challenge and meet the needs of online students:
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING: COURSE DELIVERY
[DLD H 1: Instructor training in the online course delivery system on which instructors teach in order to effectively use the courseware and various instructional media available.]
EVIDENCE– Program items:
OnlineHS instructors and support staff hold meetings, engage in Professional Learning Communities and host trainings INSIDE the Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS).
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING: NEW INSTRUCTORS
[DLD H 2: New instructors are given extra support in their first year of instruction to ensure their effectiveness and success.]
EVIDENCE– District contract item:
Provisions in the teachers’ negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) contract provide new teachers with limited preps, release days for planning, observations, or working with a mentor.
Instructors have ready supports and resources through formal connections to other instructors who work in the SAME collaborative space! We call it the “Bull Pen” and it’s where best practices, advice, and experienced insights are intended to allow instructors–first year or seasoned veteran– to develop their craft in a social, supportive, and cooperative learning environment.
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING: ONLINE COMMUNICATION
[DLD H 3: Instructor training in the emotional and social aspects of online learning and in e-mail communications demonstrating proper tone to students.]
EVIDENCE– Program items:
INSTRUCTOR PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
[DLD H 4: Instructor performance reviews conducted on a planned and regularly scheduled basis.]
EVIDENCE– District contract item:
The teachers’ negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) specify the frequency and type of evaluations & performance reviews a teachers will receive from their supervising administrator.
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING: FROM A STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
[DLD H 5: Instructor training includes the experience of online learning from the perspective of a student.]
EVIDENCE– Program items:
Teachers are both students and learners in the Online Professional Development area.
Additionally, all online instructors have both a “teacher” AND “student” log-in so they make sure they see the course as a student and are able to solve student problems with a *student perspective*.
