Training Online Teachers Through A Badge Driven Course

Abstract

The Georgia Virtual School is a supplemental online school that employs more than 200 teachers. Due to growth and attrition new teachers must continually be hired, which created a large burden for the school. The problem was addressed through the creation of an open online course driven by badge credentialing. Interested teachers now complete this training course prior to the hiring process. This ensures job applicants have a basic knowledge of online learning and a better understanding of the requirements to teach online, thus decreasing attrition in the first year. Course participants go through five modules and earn a badge after successfully demonstrating an understanding of the material in the respective module. The course content is free and open for any other schools to utilize.