VGCC Offers Online Courses Specifically for Teachers

Vance-Granville Community College is adding to its selection of online courses for adults with several convenient, interactive offerings that appeal particularly to educators. New courses include Teaching Science: Grades 4-6; Differentiated Instruction in the Classroom; Integrating Technology in the K-5 Classroom; Microsoft Excel 2003 in the Classroom; and Microsoft Word 2003 in the Classroom. These are in addition to popular courses for teachers such as Solving Classroom Discipline Problems, Using the Internet in the Classroom, Understanding Adolescents, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 in the Classroom. Online courses such as these, which use a service called “Ed2go,” are offered in a wide range of subjects, including foreign languages, creative writing and computer programming, to students who are at least 18 years old. Students who are 16 or 17 years old may take online courses with parental consent. “All of our courses include expert instructors, many of whom are nationally known authors,” according to VGCC Computer Center coordinator Laura Peace. “The classes are affordable, fun, fast, convenient, and last just six weeks,” Peace said, noting that an additional two-week extension is available for students who need more time. Classes are starting each month and continue for six weeks. In 2007, classes will start on Feb. 21, March 21, April 18, May 16 and June 20. Each course comes complete with an online classroom, including a discussion area. “When you need help with a lesson, all you have to do is post your question or inquiry in the appropriate course discussion area, where the instructor, his or her teaching assistant, or one of your fellow students will respond,” according to Peace.The cost for each of the online courses is $55. In order to receive a Vance-Granville certificate, a student must complete at least 80 % of the class hours (10 lessons including quizzes with grades above 70). To receive a certificate from Ed2go, a student must pass the final exam. Each qualifying Ed2go class is worth 2.4 continuing education units (CEUs).Anyone interested in Ed2go online courses can register online (www.ed2go.com/vgcc) or in person in Building 7 on Vance-Granville’s main campus in Vance County. For more information on Ed2go online courses, call Laura Peace at (252) 738-3417 or visit the Ed2go website (www.ed2go.com/vgcc).