21st Century Teaching & Learning

Course Overview:
Educators need to integrate technology into their curriculum to transform student learning and meet the goals of the 21st century. To succeed in today's information-driven academic environment, students need to know how to find, use, manage, evaluate and convey information efficiently and effectively. This includes not only knowledge of technology, but the ability to use critical-thinking skills to solve problems within a technological environment. Teachers wrap 21st century literacy skills into lesson content using a variety of strategies. This course helps educators plan and assess effective technology teaching methods, incorporate technology into any discipline, and develop key accountability and assessment strategies!

In this six week course, educators wear both a "student hat" and a "teacher hat" as they use digital technology and communication tools to solve problems. Educators experience how to use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate and communicate information, as well as develop a fundamental understanding of the ethical/legal issues surrounding the access and use of information. This valuable, first-hand experience demonstrates the essential technology skills students need to succeed in the 21st Century.

Who Should Attend?
This series is appropriate for:

  • Teachers who want to effectively utilize a blended model of instruction, using online components to supplement the face-to-face experience of their students
  • Curriculum specialists who need to understand the critical success elements of blended teaching models
  • Administrators who want to experience first-hand the power of online learning while determining their own district’s online professional development needs.


What Will You Learn?
Participants attending this course will:

  • Use the Internet in instruction efficiently and effectively to develop student-centered, project-based learning that supports the development of 21st century skills
  • Create new lessons that incorporate technology applications into their core curriculum
  • Transform curriculum with technology-based real-world learning for students
  • Design content that enhances learning and fosters students' engagement with technology
  • Integrate technology and core content to teach problem solving, analytical skills, and techniques for presentation
  • Cite and evaluate Internet sources
  • Develop assessment and online safety strategies.


Participation Requirements & Graduate Credit:
Best Practices in Online Teaching and Learning courses are 6-week courses taken entirely over the Internet. Courses move forward on a weekly schedule, and there is a minimum of 8-10 hours of in-class activities per week with additional time for reading, projects, and exploration. Participants who complete 21st Century Teaching and Learning will earn 67.5 PDPs or 6.75 CEUs.

Each course is eligible for three graduate credits for an additional fee. For details on pricing, options, and course numbers, see the VHS Graduate Credit Overview.

Session Dates & Pricing
Sessions for 21st Century Teaching Best Practices: 21st Century Teaching and Learning will be offered

  • July 10, 2013
  • October 9, 2013

Tuition is $275 per course for non-members and $175 for member schools. For more information about pricing and to learn about PD Package Pricing please visit, Professional Development Pricing page or contact a VHS representative at 978-897-1900 x 3 for more information.

Register today for 21st Century Teaching and Learning or the complete Best Practices Series.