The Children's Alliance of Kansas offers this course in in its popular "blended" online format. There is a comprehensive online course component followed by a live seminar course to pull it all together.

Teaching online requires many of the same skills and techniques instructors use in traditional classes, but there are some differences. In an online course, students access the course materials over the Web at any time of day or night. Often much of the information students acquire in the course comes from the class textbook (if one is assigned) and other readings, along with what they get from library research, Internet resources, CD-ROMs, and other resources.

Most importantly, students in an online course depend on conferencing software, email, and other asynchronous modes of communication for the interaction they have with each other and with the instructor. This interaction is the core of the course. In an online course, students cannot simply raise their hand to ask a question as they would in a classroom. Email and conferencing software more than make up for this, since having to type out a question forces more reflection before posting it. In addition, thanks to the flexibility of the Web, students will never miss vital class discussions. They can log on and access class materials and discussions at virtually and time of day. Finally, the potential for collaborative work and small-group discussions among students who may never meet face-to-face is what makes Web-based courses so exciting and so powerful an educational format.

Participants who wish to take this online class must meet the following requirements:

• Be a certified Leader of classroom training courses
  
• Be self motivated
  
• Be willing to commit 100% to complete the course
  
• Have computer and internet access
  
• Have a valid email address
  
• Be able to attend the face-to-face class
  
  

For questions, contact Denise Gibson by email: dgibson@childally.org or by phone at the Children's Alliance office: 785-235-5437