Online Learning....can it happen in schools?

So I was thinking....

Schools need more professional development, something more engaging. Our students expect intriguing, engaging, 21st century lessons, right? Then as educators, shouldn't we expect the same out of our learning? Why do we have to be in a professional development session being taught in a traditional way of how to teach 21st century kids in non-traditional ways? Seems a bit contradictory, don't you think? So I went on the search...is it possible.

I found a website constructed by PBS called TeacherLine. www.pbs.org/teacherline The idea behind it is to engage teachers in a more meaningful way of learning. Enhance your Teaching and Advance your Career is what they say. Sounds a bit involved, but I believe it is possible. Not only can teachers earn graduate hours, but they can earn professional development opportunities in the process. PBS TeacherLine enhances existing professional development with private or licensed courses. You can enroll one or a group of teachers in a course and pay by purchase order. There are several courses from K-12 offered in all content areas. Administrators can order a block of courses or a certain course that meets the district's strategic goals. You can also use TeacherLine to expand and enhance the district's existing professional development offerings; meaning, the two can co-exist, you don't have to choose one or the other. The collaboration among professionals in this type of learning environment could be unlimited, global collaboration with teachers....can you think of a better way to keep up with the 21st century learners?

There are endless positives to this concept and this website. Some of those include global collaboration with teachers learning from other teachers, sharing ideas, graduate hours, a multitude of courses to choose from, and a user-friendly website to navigate on.
Negatives? It looks to be a bit pricey, but if this is something that teachers begin doing, cost will ultimately become more affordable and more in demand.
The demand will begin more and more because this type of learning focuses on what we are expected to do for our 21st century learners.

So why don't educators get the same experiences?

I highly recommend educators and jobs alike to check it out.