International Education and Resource Network (IEARN) is the world’s largest non-profit global network that enables teachers and youth to use the Internet and other technologies to collaborate on projects that enhance learning and make a difference in the world. iEARN activities in Uganda are coordinated by SchoolNet Uganda.

 iEARN conducts Teacher Professional Development online courses . The cost per course is USD $600 but due to grant support, there is a limited number of scholarships. To receive a scholarship you.

• Must commit to complete the course.
• Assist country coordinators with trainings where possible and share knowledge acquired in the course with educators in your school or region where possible
  The next iEARN online professional development courses will run from February 11 – April 6, 2008. ).  Read more and register now to save your spot:  http://www.iearn.org/professional/online.html

The course offering include:

• Creative Arts.
• Creative Writing/Language Arts.
• Social Studies/Contemporary Affairs/Geography.
• Science/Environment/Math.
• Teaching of Foreign and Second Languages.
• Helping students cope with Traumatic Events.
• Learning Circles.
• Moving Voices (Making digital documentaries).
• PEARL: Integrating Journalism skills into the classroom.

How does the iEARN Online Professional Development Course Work?
The course is asynchronous. This means participants work in their own time from home or school to complete weekly assignments. However, courses are very interactive and communication is continuous during the course period. Each course has 25 participants and two facilitators. You will communicate with one another through the iEARN discussion forums to discuss assignment and readings. You can expect frequent feedback from your facilitators and participants throughout the course period.
Each course is divided into eight modules (one lesson per week) with readings, discussions, individual and group assignments. Lessons and assignments take participants step-by-step through the process of integrating an online collaborative project into their classroom. Participants will select a project that matches their state/national standards and begin integrating the project into their classroom during the course period.
You can expect to commit 4-5 hours a week for a course.

Participants who successfully complete all the course requirements will receive a certificate from iEARN-USA with recognition as an iEARN Master Teacher
Prerequisites:

• Must be a member of iEARN. Becoming a member of iEARN is easy and free. To become a member, register and complete the online registration form at http://www.iearn.org/join/index.html and information will be sent to the iEARN Coordinator in your country for validation.
• Basic word processing, Internet and e-mailing skills.
• Reliable access to a computer and Internet.
• Availability to commit at least 5 hours a week to course activities.
• Classroom/students that you will be working with throughout the course period.
• Working knowledge of English.

 Benefits:
Each course will teach you how projects can be part of what you are already teaching, removing the pressure of adding more to your curriculum while making teaching and learning more exciting.
By completing the course, you will:

• Learn how to use your curriculum to integrate collaborative projects without extra work.
• Acquire the skills to implement collaborative projects.
• Plan how to manage your classroom for online projects.
• Gain new technology skills in a user-friendly environment.
• Involve your students online with students in different parts of the country and around the world.
• Identify ways to involve your students with your community as the project is implemented.
• Develop long-lasting personal friendships in a secure, caring and experienced environment.

For more information contact info[AT]schoolnetuganda.sc.ug