The Web is breaking down the in-service training model for professional development. The Web is becoming the repository for a broad range of courses for certification, advanced degrees and other forms of professional development. Increasingly, the Internet will allow school systems to provide or acquire anywhere, anytime learning for their staffs. The courses use the district's own material and are distributed across the district's intranet. WebED is a developer and provider of online courses, including special education, social studies, administration and Web-based resources in particular subjects.
Some courses are usable for recertification and credit.
WebED contracts with school systems to provide effective courses. It is now possible to stop feeding technological fast food on the run, and to begin feeding your staff nutritious three-course feasts of ongoing professional development that will give them the skills to use technology and benefits from its use. Dr. Jim Surratt is superintendent of the Wake County Public School System in North Carolina. He has also served as superintendent in Texas and Florida.