At the end of one-day workshops, for example, teachers are left alone to attempt the applications if they so desire. When they go back to the classroom, they often are unsure if they really are applying what they learned, and there is no opportunity for further feedback. Last, some staff development programs are not carefully planned and executed. Many training programs target the average teacher and fail to address the needs of the novice teacher or the veteran teacher. Online training allows participants to take part in professional development in the comfort of their own homes.
Participants decide when and where they want to participate, and they work at their own pace.
Online training is delivered via computers and the Internet, powerful tools that not only allow educators to access needed training, but also teach them how to stay on top of the highly technological society in which we live. It's an alternative to conventional staff development that is less costly, easier to schedule, and potentially more effective. Online course participants read the lesson, try the ideas in class, debrief on the bulletin board, and get feedback from the instructor and other participants. There are many online training models. The participants are given a password at the onset of the course in order to access the class web site.