MEDIA ALERT – Arlington, Va. (Nov. 9, 2009) – Teachers who need credits for recertification, or who want to learn new teaching strategies and resources to enhance student learning, can brush up on their knowledge and skills from the comfort of their own home with PBS TeacherLine’s online facilitated courses. PBS TeacherLine^® (www.pbs.org/teacherline), the premier provider of online professional development services for preK-12 educators, has opened enrollment for its 2010 Winter Course Term, with courses starting Jan. 27.

Through standards-based, graduate-level courses, PBS TeacherLine offers teachers the professional development opportunities they need in an accessible online format that makes learning fun, flexible and collaborative. Teachers can earn graduate credit, professional development points, or continuing education units while gaining strategies and resources they can use immediately in their classrooms. The Winter Course Term features more than 130 courses in science, math, reading and language arts, instructional technology, and instructional strategies offered through PBS TeacherLine’s national service and local PBS station services.

The courses are designed to leverage the rich use of technologies such as audio, video, interactives, and online discussions to provide a highly engaging, collaborative learning experience, to address multiple learning styles, and to serve as a model for ways to effectively integrate technology into the classroom. A study last year by the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers indicated that teachers don’t feel adequately prepared to use technology to enhance their lessons and need further training and support.

PBS Teachers is hosting a free webinar on Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. ET to provide a tour of PBS TeacherLine’s courses and the professional development service for instructional coaches and teacher mentors, PBS TeacherLine Peer Connection. To learn more about the webinar, go to www.pbs.org/teachers/webinar.

Editor’s Note: The contents of this news announcement were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.

More Information

For more information about PBS TeacherLine visit www.pbs.org/teacherline.

About PBS TeacherLine

PBS TeacherLine is committed to helping teachers acquire the skills they need to prepare students for a successful future. PBS TeacherLine provides high-quality, affordable professional development through facilitated, online courses, collaborative learning communities, and exemplary Internet-based resources. Currently, more than 130 courses across multiple subject areas are offered. Teachers can earn continuing education units, professional development points, and graduate credits for course completion. The courses have been developed in conjunction with leading education organizations, including Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL), Education Development Center (EDC), Concord Consortium, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and International Society for Technology Education. Created in 2000, PBS TeacherLine is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education for $6,046,811. This represents approximately 85 percent of the total program funding. The remaining 15 percent is funded through in-kind support from PBS and through program income.

About PBS

PBS, with its 356 member stations, offers all Americans – from every walk of life – the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each week, PBS reaches more than 65 million people and invites them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs have been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and Web site, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.

Contacts

PBS
Kevin Dando
703-739-5073
kdando at pbs dot org

Donovan Goode
703-739-5073
dwgoode at pbs dot org
www.pbs.org

C. Blohm & Associates, Inc.
Kristen Plemon
608-839-9805
kristen at cblohm dot com
www.cblohm.com

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