Updated  9/2015  

8

Questions to Ask Before

Choosing an Online Graduate

Course

1.  Is the program fully accredited? By Whom?

2.  Who are the instructors?

3.  Will there be tests? 4.  How much work is involved?

5.  Can I work independently at my own pace?

6.  Is there a final project?

7.  Are RTC online courses part of the M.Ed. program?

8.  What courses are available from RTC Online?

The 8 Questions:

YES! All Regional Training Center online courses are based on their face to face counterparts. Every course offered by the Regional Training Center whether through The College of New Jersey La Salle University carries full accreditation. Courses from TCNJ are approved by the faculty of TCNJ and and the NJ DOE and fully accredited by Middle States and NCATE/CAEP. Courses from La Salle University are accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, chartered by PDE and have been awarded the PSEA Seal of Recognition.

1 Are RTC’s Online Courses Accredited?  

All Regional Training Center online courses are taught by

instructors who teach the same courses face to face. The instructional team of RTC

carefully monitors each course’s evaluations in order ensure that

participants are getting the best possible experience

every time they take a course.

All of our instructors have been

classroom teachers first, and have experienced what it’s like to

work in the classroom.

Also good to know: Many districts require that a student have interaction

with the instructor and other students – AND

YOU WILL!

Jim Burns, a popular RTC instructor, is the designer of The Bully Proof Classroom currently available online and face to face.

2 Who are the instructors?  

That’s an interesting question! But, no, there will not be tests in RTC’s online courses. Just as there are no tests in our face2face classes. Participants will be expected to respond to certain prompts in various ways: a paragraph or two, a short paper, a blog entry, in an online forum, etc. Obviously the nature of online learning is different from that of a classroom experience. In many of

RTC’s online courses there may be videos to watch and required readings from the textbook or embedded articles and links. While many of the online courses from other institutions depend heavily on testing and re-testing, that has never been RTC’s philosophy. We strive to make our classes practical and useful with

ideas you can use TODAY!

3 Will There Be Tests?  

Regional  Training  Center  online  graduate  courses  are  characterized  by  the  same  

standard  as  their  face  to  face  counterparts  –  turning  theory  and  research  into  prac6cal  applica6on.  Though  most  of  

the  RTC  online  experience  is  asynchronous  (i.e.  students  work  at  their  own  pace  on  

their  own  Eme)  there  is  also  collabora6on  and  communica6on  between  both  

instructor  and  parEcipant,  and  among  parEcipants  through    

•posts,    •forum  discussions  and    •group  presenta6ons.    

Instructors  may  use  live  chats  and  live  meeEngs  as  a  tool  to  enhance  the  

experience  if  needed  and  warranted.      

Many  RTC  online  courses  also  feature  videos  of  content  experts  discussing,  teaching,  and  facilitaEng  

acEvity  that  reinforce  important  course  concepts.  Most  online  course  acEvity  is  

graded,  which  comprises  the  course  par6cipa6on  half  of  a  par6cipant’s  grade.  The  other  half  of  the  grade  is  the  Learning  

Extension  Project.  (see  next  page.)  

Michael Kuczala is the designer of the online course “Motivation: The Art and Science of Inspiring Classroom Success.” He is also the Director of Instruction for the Regional Training Center.

4 How Much Work is Involved?  

Absolutely! In fact, isn’t that the point? You can work on these online classes when it is most convenient for you. Weekends,

weekdays, middle of the night; it’s your call.

RTC Online courses are asynchronous, you work at your own speed on your own time.

5 Can  I  Work  at  My  Own  Pace?  

The  final  project,  the  Learning  Extension  Project  (L.E.P.)    is  differenEated  through  several  

student-selected opEons  and  is  due  one  week  aUer  course  

compleEon.  Courses  last  a  total  of  nine  weeks  from  beginning  to  

end.      

The  final  project  choices  are  

designed  to  be  prac6cal  and  useful  to  teachers.  

 A  typical  L.E.P.  could  be:  

•  A  research/reflecEve  paper  •  An  annotated  bibliography  

•  4  content-­‐related  lesson  plans  •  A  case  study  

or  •  A  presentaEon  plan  

 

Online Courses are available through both of our credit-granting institutions. Certain courses are applicable to the masters degree at all colleges.

6 Is there a final project?  

Absolutely! Neither of RTC’s masters programs are fully online at this point. However, all of these courses may be used in the program (where applicable) and therefore create a blended program for those who so desire. All courses are still available in a face to face format as well. These are NOT professional development courses, but transferrable graduate education courses that meet all state and accrediting associations’ requirements.

7

Are These

Courses Part of the M.Ed.

program?  

Brain-Based Teaching and Learning One of seven courses now available online. The title says it all: Teaching with brain-compatible methods.

Note: Full course descriptions are available

at www.theRTC.net.

The Gendered Brain Another course that

deals with brain based teaching. However, this one looks at the

differences between the female and the male brain and the

implications for the classroom.

David Sousa’s classic book, How the Brain Learns, the basic text for “Brain-Based Teaching and Learning.”

8 So, What’s Online?  

The Bully Proof Classroom How to create “bully proof assurance in schools and classrooms..

Cooperative

Discipline A “kinder, gentler” method of classroom

management. It works!

Differentiated Instruction Designing effective instruction that responds to the needs of all learners. *Styles of Teaching: Personality

Type in the Classroom will be available spring 2016.

Carol Ann Tomlinson’s The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners (2nd Edition) sets the standard for differentiation in today’s classrooms.

What else?  

Motivation: The Art and Science of Inspiring Classroom Success

Concrete, researched-based ways to motivate students.

Universal Design for Learning: Reaching All Learners in a Digital Age A framework to help educators meet the challenge of the diverse learner in the digital age.

Assessment Techniques: Assessing for Student

Learning Designing experience and create

authentic assessment in the standards based world.

One of the texts for the Motivation course, Peak Performance for Smart Kids is the basis of the second half of the course.

What else?  

“ The most positive experience I have

ever had in a college

course!”

What are participants

saying about RTC Online?  

The  quality  of  the  online  courses  is  equal  to  any  college  course  I  have  ever  taken  on  campus.  For  me,  that  is  the  

number  one  advantage  of  RTC  Online.  I  can  take  as  few  or  as  many  courses  as  I  want.”  

Tamara Cohen, RTC/Gratz College

Want to know more? Ready to register?

Go to www.theRTC.net

Or

Call us @ 800-433-4740