Welcome to TCL Online Self‐Paced Courses Congratulations on selecting an online self‐paced course from The Connecting Link (TCL). We are confident that you will find that our courses provide valuable learning experiences. At TCL, we are committed to providing educators with the very best educational materials in the most convenient formats. Our goal is to make sure that our courses and content are meaningful, current, accessible, and easy to use. Frequently Asked Questions What are the benefits of TCL online courses? TCL online courses are delivered 100% online, offer flexibility with 24‐hour access and a user‐ friendly interface. Courses feature activities such as online lectures, discussion board participation, and assignments. When can I start? You may start your course as soon as you receive your log‐in information and purchase your textbook(s). Purchase may be made through a bookseller of your choice such as Abe Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. You must log onto your course within 60 days of purchase or a $25 re‐activation will be required to start your course. How long is the course? Each participant works at his/her own pace. You have 12 weeks to complete the course from the date you first login. The minimum course completion time depends on the individual. Can I get an extension? Yes, eight (8) week course extensions are available at a cost of $100 per course. Should you require an extension for your course please contact [email protected] before your course expires. What if I need to withdraw from an online course? You may withdraw from an online course within 21 days of purchase if you have not logged on. A cancellation fee of $50.00 per course will be applied. Once you have logged on to your course, no refund is available. Who is the instructor for my course? Please see the list of courses and instructors on the last page of this document. How many credits does each class offer? Self‐paced courses may only be taken for 45 professional development credits.* *Reminder‐please obtain district approval before beginning your class if you are taking the course for renewal of your certificate or salary advancement.
2 Assignments In general, there are four types of assignments (please keep in mind that these may vary depending on the course.): Reading, Portfolio Elements, Journal/Reflection, and Lounge Discussions. Most courses include all four types of assignments, but not always. They are always listed in the order they should be completed. READING assignments include segments of the text plus many online articles and lesson plans to which you will be directed depending on the course. PORTFOLIO assignments are broken down into elements. Portfolio assignments provide a successive foundation for each other and should be completed in the order they are given. JOURNAL/REFLECTION assignments are question prompts that ask you to integrate what you are learning into aspects of your own teaching and learning experience. LOUNGE DISCUSSION assignments will ask you to initiate and/or respond to a threaded discussion topic with other class participants. At the conclusion of each milestone, you will turn in all the assignments for that milestone. (Participants taking courses for professional development only must complete all milestone assignments; however, are exempt from a final project requirement.)
3 Computer Requirements ****Important **** For all courses you will need Internet access— the Internet browser you use does not matter (i.e. Internet Explorer or Mozilla), nor does the type of service (dial‐up, cable modem, etc.). A word processing program (i.e. Microsoft Word, etc.) is also required. Definition of terms often used when talking about online courses. Asynchronous: In computer programming, asynchronous (from Greek meaning "not at the same time") pertains to processes that proceed independently of each other. Our online, self‐paced courses are asynchronous as you work at your own pace to complete them. You are not required to log in at specific times to communicate with other students or the instructor. Browser: A browser is an application program that provides a way to look at and interact with all the information on the Internet. The word "browser" seems to have originated prior to the Internet as a generic term for user interfaces that let you browse text files online. ISP: An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a company that provides access to the Internet and other related services. Thread: A thread is a sequence of responses to an initial message posting. This enables you to join an individual discussion from among the many that may be there. A thread is usually shown graphically as an initial message and successive messages after the original message. Technical Support For technical support, please contact us Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm PST (888) 550‐5465 Ext. 5066.
4 ONLINE FACULTY ‐ Please refer to the following list to find the instructor for your class. Course Faculty Member ADHD and the Classroom Teacher (ADD) Dr. Mishaleen Allen Arts with the Brain in Mind (AWB) Rob Charlier‐Anglim Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Professional Educator (ASD) Dr. Mishaleen Allen Best Practices in Mentoring: No Colleague Left Behind (BMP) Paula deDiego Beyond the Basics: Advanced Applications of the Interactive Whiteboard (AWT) Julie Ann Sawall Collaborative Web Technologies: Transforming Teaching and Learning (CWT) Bonnie Wainwright Conscious Classroom Management for New Teachers (CCM) Daniel Viens Creating a Safe Educational Environment: Eliminating Bullying & Disrespect (CSE) Judith McManus Developing & Supporting Productive Learners (DSP) Jan Bogle Developing Curriculum for Online Courses (DCO) Char Harteau Differentiated Instructional Strategies (DIS) Connie Pesce Discovery Learning and Critical Thinking with WebQuests (WBQ) Dr. Valerie Schmitz Effective Writing Skills in the Classroom: Gaining Ground for Your Grade Level (EWS) Rachel Haron Embracing Health: Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Obesity in Children (EHO) Sally Radke Facilitating Online Courses (FOC) Char Harteau Fundamentals of School Law for Educators (SCL) William Nelson Impacting Students with Special Gifts and Needs (ISS) Dr. Mishaleen Allen
5 Impacting Teaching and Learning with Brain Research (ITL) Rachel Haron Impacting Teaching and Learning with Brain Research in Indiana Dr. Maryann Dudzinski Inclusion: Strategies for Educators (INC) Dr. Mishaleen Allen Inquiry‐Based Learning and Teaching in Science Education (IBL) Paula deDiego Integrating Technology into Mathematics Instruction (ITM) Dr. Valerie Schmitz Interactive Whiteboard Technology in the Classroom (IWT) K‐6 & 7‐12 Julie Ann Sawall Microsoft ® Access: Impacting Teaching and Student Learning (OMA) Barbara Thomas Microsoft ® PowerPoint: Impacting Teaching and Student Learning (OMP) Barbara Thomas Preparing Students for Adulthood: Transition Plans for Students with IEPs (PSA) Reena Fish Teaching English Language Learners in the Regular Classroom (ELL) Kristen Zullner The Art of Cooperation: Cooperative Learning in the Classroom (ART) Jan Bogle Toolkit for Creating Collaborative Learners (TCC) Jan Bogle Transforming Students into Mathematicians (TSM) K‐8 & 9‐12 Paula deDiego Transforming Students into Readers (TSR) K‐6 & 7‐12 Kristen Zullner Transforming Students into Writers (TSW) K‐8 Judith McManus Transforming Students into Writers (TSW) 9‐12 Connie Pesce
