Seward Incorporated

Chapter presents competencies to be an effective online teacher

Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 7, 2009 - Gregory C. Sales, Ph.D., President and CEO of Seward Incorporated contributed the chapter "Preparing Teachers to Teach Online" to the Encyclopedia of Distance Learning, 2nd Edition set for release on January 12, 2009. Sales also contributed the chapter Developing Online Faculty Competencies to the 1st Edition of the Encyclopedia www.igi-pub.com/encyclopedia/details.asp?ID=4500

The chapter contains an analysis of the current situation in teacher preparation. The vast majority of today’s teachers were never taught using computers. They have no firsthand experience using computers for teaching and learning and they may even believe computers are a threat to their jobs.

Helping these teachers to become effective online teachers requires a systematic multi-layered approach to professional development as follows:

• Teachers have to be convinced of their institutions commitment to online instruction.
• Teachers need support and guidance as they move through various levels of understanding and concern about what online learning is and its role and value in education.
• Teachers need to develop competencies that will enable them to be successful online teachers.

This chapter presents a background on the use of technology in education, research on approaches to professional development, and specific information on the competencies required to be an effective online teacher.