Teacher Training

The LearnIT2teach project provides Ontario LINC teachers with the technology tools to implement blended learning in their programs, as well as a FREE four stage teacher training and professional development program to master the tools.

Teacher participants will learn how to integrate online learning through:

• Face-to-face delivery of Stage One training at TESL Ontario, local LINC PD days, TESL Affiliate events or by arrangement with LINC Service Provider Organizations.
• Online delivery of Stages Two, Three and Four.

For Stage 1 Face to Face training the organization needs to provide a computer lab with one computer for each participant.
• Broadband internet access
• Windows XP or later; or Mac OS X (v. 10.5)
• Browsers: Windows: Firefox 3.5.5/ Macintosh: Safari 4.0.3
• Screen resolution: 1024 X 768 (or higher)
• QuickTime Player plug-in (version 7 or higher)
• Adobe Flash Player (version 8 or higher).
• Individual headsets and an LCD projector are also required.
• Individuals must have a valid email address.

To use the couresware you can check if your computer will support it by visiting this site http://learnit2teach.ca/btpage/browser-test.html

Stage One

In the first part of Stage One, teachers view a presentation and participate in a question and answer session. In the second part, teachers complete a hands on simulation. During the hands-on training, we will introduce you to the LMS and you will experience the LINC courseware as a student. A facilitator-led tutorial highlights the main features of these courses. Throughout this tutorial, you are encouraged to discuss the relevance of Chickering and Gamson’s Good Teaching Principles to the learning activities.

Stage Two

This stage presents Moodle from the ‘non-editing’ teacher’s perspective. Using screen capture videos and simulations, Stage Two provides participants with the basics of the Moodle LMS. This enables teachers to facilitate blended language training using the LINC courseware.

For Stage 2 independent study the individual will need a computer which meets the following minimum standards:
• Broadband internet access
• Windows XP or later; or Mac OS X (v. 10.5)
• Browsers: Windows: Firefox 3.5.5/ Macintosh: Safari 4.0.3
• Screen resolution: 1024 X 768 (or higher)
• QuickTime Player plug-in (version 7 or higher)
• Adobe Flash Player (version 8 or higher).
• Individuals must have a valid email address.

Stage Three

In this stage participants evolve from Moodle non-editing teachers to become advanced online teachers with course authoring abilities. With a focus on online language training, teachers learn to use features of this LMS to become strong facilitators and course authors. Also integrated within the Stage Three training, LINC professionals learn to use Tutela, or the repository, to browse and search for learning objects, then download and add them to their own Moodle courses. Stage Three participants also learn how to upload resources they would like to share using Tutela.

Stage Four

In this stage, participants create e-activities relevant to their own professional context and integrate them into a specialized aspect of language teaching and learning. For example, a teacher may choose to develop a LINC or Enhanced Language Training resource. The main areas of this stage are planning and creation, a reflective journal on the process, and successful linkages to the digital repository.