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Facilitator Requirements

Please click here to complete a facilitator application.

The Certified FOR-PD facilitator will play a vital role in developing and maintaining an online program that is effective, efficient, and supports the realization of the FOR-PD course objectives.

Facilitator Background

Persons desiring to become facilitators should possess the following qualifications:

  • Successful completion of the FOR-PD course. (Scoring at the 80% level or above on all assignments and quizzes.)
  • A minimum of three years teaching experience is required
  • Advanced knowledge of research-based reading strategies
  • Ability to provide explicit instruction in the following elements of reading as they apply to appropriate grades: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
  • Ability to systematically use effective reading strategies that have been tested and have a record of success
  • Identified by school or district as a reading/literacy leader
  • Any of the following:
    • Master’s Degree in reading or other related areas
    • Bachelor's Degree plus completion of the Reading Endorsement
    • Hold a position as a Reading Coach or Curriculum Coach

Additional requirements for FOR-PD Facilitators

Successful completion of the FOR-PD Facilitator Training & Certification Course is required. Upon successful completion of the seven lessons in this class, participants will be eligible to receive 25 inservice points. The staff development office of your school district will award the inservice points.

This online course is designed to develop an understanding about:

  • The FOR-PD Project
  • Online learning and online staff development
  • Online tools and techniques to help participants get the most out of the FOR-PD course

A facilitator in the online environment must possess a unique set of skills to perform effectively. Some of the basic criteria for a person to be successful as an online facilitator are:

  • Facilitators must be able to create a supportive environment where all students feel comfortable participating and especially where students know that their facilitator is accessible. They must actively participate in the course discussions, grade weekly, provide prompt feedback, and interact as required via email.
  • Facilitators should give students timely quality feedback on student contributions to discussions, assignments, and quizzes.
  • Facilitators should keep students advised of their progress respect to the course evaluation process on a weekly basis.
  • Facilitators should feel comfortable communicating in writing. The face-to-face contact traditionally available in a classroom setting is not available in the online learning process. The ability to verbally communicate is replaced with a keyboard. Facilitators must be comfortable communicating in writing because that is the fundamental process of online learning. The facilitator is the primary person participants interact with who provides the human factor.
  • Facilitators should be experienced and well trained in online learning. This includes:
    • Sending and receiving email
    • Using a web browser: specifically Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Firefox
    • Using discussion boards
    • Using chat tools
    • Familiarity with the WebCT environment and how to navigate it – this will be provided as a part of the FOR-PD facilitator training.
    • Understanding the function of the various WebCT tools available in the course-this will be provided as a part of the FOR-PD facilitator training.
  • Facilitators must be able to create a supportive environment where all students feel comfortable participating and especially where students know that their facilitator is accessible.
  • Facilitators must actively participate in the course discussions, grade weekly, and interact as required via email.
  • Facilitators should keep students advised of their progress on a weekly basis.

Additionally, facilitators are required to participate in 2 chats per semester. The FOR-PD office regularly offers chats each month as professional development for facilitators.

Please note that completion of training course and certification as a FOR-PD facilitator does not guarantee employment as a facilitator. Facilitators are selected by school districts and the FOR-PD office from the pool of qualified facilitators. To be included in the pool, facilitators must submit a signed Conditions of Service document each year and keep apprised of current policies and procedures communicated from the FOR-PD office.

Hardware/Software Requirements

The interaction in an online class is web-based, so facilitators will need Internet access and a current web browser that supports Javascript. Minimal hardware and software requirements are as follows:

  • A thorough understanding of your computer operating system
  • A Pentium PC running Windows 95 or higher (Pentium 166 highly recommended) OR a Macintosh system 7.5 or better
  • 64 MB RAM (128 MB highly recommended) and at least 50 MB of available disk space for assignments
  • 56k modem minimum (T-1 or higher highly recommended)
  • Netscape 4.76 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 (Note: IE5.5 or 6.0; Netscape 4.78, 6.0 are NOT compatible with WebCT)
  • A word processing software package (Microsoft Word preferred)

Remuneration

Certified facilitators receive a stipend of $1,200 to facilitate a full FOR-PD course.