Sales Contributes to Second Edition of Distance Learning Encyclopedia

Chapter presents competencies to be an effective online teacher.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT

Gregory C. Sales, Ph.D., President and CEO of Seward Incorporated (www.sewardinc.com) contributed the chapter Preparing Teachers to Teach Online to the Encyclopedia of Distance Learning, 2nd Edition set for release on January 12, 2009 (http://www.igi-pub.com). Sales also contributed the chapter Developing Online Faculty Competencies to the 1st Edition of the Encyclopedia (http://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.

About Seward Incorporated

Seward Incorporated is a leader in the design and development of custom eLearning and eBusiness solutions for corporate, academic, and government clients locally, nationally internationally. Founded in 1990, Seward Inc. has conducted information architecture and infrastructure consulting, design and development services for a wide variety of public and private entities, including 3M, HealthPartners, Medtronic, Target, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, University of Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. State Department. For more information, call 612-721-4444 or visit http://www.sewardinc.com or http://international.sewardinc.com.