rhaccelerate.com ■ Price and licensing: $100 per teacher, $2,500 for site license
Quality and Effectiveness: The value, cost, and scheduling of professional development are often subjects of debate. Teachers have many demands on their time and energy, and PD offerings are often general and not targeted. The Reading Horizons Online PD Course allows teachers to be responsible for their own PD and offers training specific to the program they’re using in the classroom. Teachers can do the training when it’s convenient for them and revisit content when needed. This PD course supports teachers with training modules that are all in the same format and are appropriate for both new and experienced teachers. While teachers can set their own goals and plan their schedules, they’re still directed to finish modules before teaching and to review content to refresh their teaching. Teachers learn how to teach the program before they use it, and have resources available as they continue. Teachers are still accountable, but on their own terms. It’s easy to revisit content, and tutorial videos are linked to lessons that they will present—making authentic and helpful connections between the PD and practice. There are tutorials for setting up and customizing an account, lesson planning, lessons and resources, and community tutorials.
Ease of Use: The Reading Horizons PD course is easy to use and takes specialized PD one step further, giving teachers 24/7 access to course-specific PD. Video support is always available, especially for modeling, and there are downloadable print resources for assessment and lesson planning. Modules are self-paced and offer opportunities for practice and reflection. Users navigate the program and access all resources from a single dashboard. Teachers can also be part of the learning community by subscribing to community forums, starting discussions, or replying to posts from other teachers. This training model is effective, ongoing, and program-specific, with clear outcomes.
Creative Use of Technology: The course offers 24/7 access and integrated communication so that teachers can learn to use Reading Horizons more effectively. Modules are linked specifically to all the lessons they will teach. Teachers and administrators have immediate access to materials as well as to online manuals so that the PD can have the greatest impact on their teaching.
Suitability for Use in a School Environment: Because this PD is online, teachers don’t have to go to other places after a long day of teaching to participate in PD. This PD, specific to the software that they’re currently using, is available anytime, anywhere. Teachers can access training and fresh materials before they’re ready to teach the next lesson and also be part of a larger learning community.
OVERALL RATING:
This excellent PD course provides specific training for the different Reading Horizons modules, and teachers can easily call up superior lessons and support materials anytime.
TOP FEATURES
• Online professional development connected to the Reading Horizons program.
• Materials, with videos and downloads, are instantly available.
• It’s easy to be part of the online learning community.
