Online Professional Development Courses for Teachers.

This article relates the factors needed to be considered by teachers in the U.S. when choosing professional development online courses. School officials in Massachusetts surveyed their teachers to find out how frequently they incorporated technology into the curriculum. The results showed quite clearly that the teachers needed to have access to professional development courses focusing on technology. A concise, smoothly flowing narrative will help hold their attention. A non-linear presentation means that all the entries under the main category are indented. This helps show how concepts are related to one another. Text that is balanced with content-appropriate pictures, videos and graphics, will engage educators and help them grasp the concepts easier. Links allow teachers to access supplemental resources that will enhance their understanding of the topics covered by the course. It is important that teachers are able to print out in hard copy an entire course. Reading from computer screens can be tiring for the eyes and about 25% slower than reading from paper. Before signing up for any online course, teachers should make sure that the content of the course is aligned to their county, state, or national standards.