FOR-PD Course Overview
The topics in this overview include:
- Course Description
- Evaluation
- Prerequisite Skills
- Is Online Learning for You?
- Hardware and Software Requirements
This course is designed to deliver current, relevant, scientifically-based, and classroom-based
information in reading to preK-12 teachers. FOR-PD meets Competency
2
This class is designed to help you learn more about:
- Principles of reading instruction and reading development
- Exemplary reading instruction
- Five elements of reading: phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary development, fluency, and comprehension strategies
- Motivating students to read
- Children's and young adult's literature
- Reflection and classroom inquiry
- Teaching for understanding in the content area
- Using technology in instruction
- Literacy instruction for non-native speakers of English
- Teaching the struggling reader
- Formal and informal assessment
- Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT)
Please read the rest of this page carefully before logging in to be sure you are in the right place and have the necessary prerequisites for taking this class.
Course Description
The lessons are:
- Lesson 1: Introduction to the FOR-PD Course
- Lesson 2: Reading and Learning to Read
- Lesson 3: Exemplary Reading Instruction
- Lesson 4: Language and Print-Rich Environments
- Lesson 5: Phonemic Awareness and Phonics
- Lesson 6: Bringing Students and Text Together
- Lesson 7: Strengthening Vocabulary Development
- Lesson 8: Fluency and Comprehension Instruction
- Lesson 9: Integrating Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum
- Lesson 10: Teaching for Understanding in Content Areas
- Lesson 11: Literacy Instruction and Non-Native Speakers of English
- Lesson 12: Instruction for Striving Readers
- Lesson 13: Assessment
- Lesson 14: Becoming an Effective Literacy Leader
Evaluation
At the end of each lesson, you will get a checklist of required assignments for that lesson. Once you have completed all requirements listed throughout the course you will receive a certificate of completion. Successful completion includes 80% or better on discussions, quizzes, and completion of the literacy log.
You will earn 60 staff development points when you complete the entire course (Lessons 1-14).
Prerequisite Skills
To take this class, you must have basic computer skills and familiarity with using the Internet. Specifically, the following skills are necessary for successful course completion:
- The ability to read critically
- The ability to manage time
- The ability to problem solve
- The ability to write (word processing) using a computer
- The ability to access and navigate web pages using a browser such as Netscape Communicator or Internet Explorer
- The ability to send and receive email including attachments
- The ability to download documents
- The ability to print from a web page or document
- The ability to communicate in writing with other professionals
Is Online Learning for You?
Not everyone should enroll in an online class. In addition to the minimum hardware and software requirements and Internet access indicated elsewhere, certain aptitudes and attitudes are also required.
Before you decide to take this class, please take the time to access one of the following online assessments to see if online courses will meet your learning and life styles. This will truly assist in making your online experience a successful one.
- Are Distance Learning Courses for Me? (College of DuPage)
- Online Staff Development: Lessons Learned - The Instructional Technology Resource Center (ITRC) at the University of Central Florida has compiled this document which highlights lessons learned from the perspective online course developers', online course facilitators', and online course participants' points of view. Take some time to go through these helpful tips.
- OnlineLearning.net Self-Assessment Quiz
Hardware and Software Requirements
You will need a computer with Internet access to complete this class. While many configurations will work, the following table indicates the absolute minimum and the recommended requirements for this course.
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Macintosh | |
|
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| Windows | |
|
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- Acceptable Word Processing software: Microsoft Word (Windows or Mac), Microsoft Works (Windows or Mac), or ClarisWorks (Mac).
- An up-to-date anti-virus program such as McAfee (select AntiVirus) or Norton AntiVirus program. You can download a free 30-day trial full version of these AntiVirus programs. It is recommended that you update your AntiVirus program at least once a month.
- If you use Netscape 6.0 as your browser, it is not compatible with WebCT 3.0. You will have to use an older version of Netscape or select Explorer as your browser.
- If you use AOL as your Internet Service Provider, you will need to use Netscape Communicator or Internet Explorer as your browser while participating in this course. After you log on to AOL, open Netscape Communicator or Internet Explorer before accessing the Web pages associated with this course.
