This document has been formatted for printing from your browser from the Web site of the Illinois Association of School Boards.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE -- This document is © copyrighted by the Illinois Association of School Boards. IASB hereby grants to school districts and other Internet users the right to download, print and reproduce this document provided that (a) the Illinois Association of School Boards is noted as publisher and copyright holder of the document and (b) any reproductions of this document are disseminated without charge and not used for any commercial purpose.
Illinois School Board Journal - ARCHIVES
January-February, 2005
ASK THE STAFF:
IASB online courses offer new way to learn
By Angie Peifer
Angie Peifer, IASB's director of school board development, answers this issue's question.
Question: Who is a good candidate for IASB's new online learning program?
Answer: Obviously someone who is comfortable with using a computer and a Web browser will make the best candidate for the new courses being offered by the Association. A good candidate also would be someone who enjoys reading and writing, the primary delivery and response tools for online courses. In addition, online learners should like to work independently. That's one of the benefits of online learning: the convenience of completing the work within your own timeframe — and in your pajamas if you like.
Question: How is online learning different from a traditional workshop?
Answer: The biggest difference is that online learning is self-paced and completed without the need to travel to a specific location on a specific date to gain the information you want. You'll miss some of the interactive elements of a face-to-face workshop, but the tradeoff is that with many of the courses, you'll have the opportunity to work with your own district documents and issues. With the bargaining course, online learners will frame the coursework with their own bargaining agreement. And with the course on superintendent evaluations, they will work with their own evaluation instruments.
Question: How long will I have to complete the coursework?
Answer: Participants will have access to the course they have chosen for up to six months, but most courses will take just five to 15 hours to complete. So you could devote a weekend to taking a course, or you could plan to stretch your work over the entire six months. It will be up to you. Others will be taking the course as well, at their own pace, and all will have the ability to post to discussion boards regarding their work. Over time, more people will post to those boards, which will give you the opportunity for the interaction that you miss by not being in a face-to-face workshop.
Question: Do I receive LeaderShop or Master Board Member credit for completing online learning courses?
Answer: Yes! You can earn five to 10 Master Board Member credits, depending on the course you choose. For LeaderShop participants, courses count toward your elective credits. After you complete a course, you will automatically receive directions on how to report your credits. Once you notify IASB you have completed a course, you will receive an e-mail from the Association acknowledging that we have received your credits.
The target date to open IASB's Online Learning Center is January 18, 2005. Access to the center will be through the Association's Web site home page at http://www.iasb.com/.
Initial course offerings will be:
For more information, contact me at 217-528-9688, extension 1124, or e-mail me at apeifer@iasb.com.