Tech & Learning — February 2018

WWW.TECHLEARNING.COM | FEBRUARY 2018 | 17

PRODUCT REVIEWS

By Joan Gal Peck

Quality and Effectiveness: The value, cost,
and scheduling of professional development
are often subjects of debate. Teachers have
many demands on their time and energy,
and PD offerings are often general and not
targeted. The Reading Horizons Online PD
Course allows teachers to be responsible for
their own PD and offers training specific to
the program they’re using in the classroom.
Teachers can do the training when it’s
convenient for them and revisit
content when needed. This
PD course supports teachers
with training modules that
are all in the same format
and are appropriate for
both new and experienced
teachers. While teachers
can set their own goals and
plan their schedules, they’re
still directed to finish modules
before teaching and to review content
to refresh their teaching. Teachers learn how to teach the program
before they use it, and have resources available as they continue.
Teachers are still accountable, but on their own terms. It’s easy
to revisit content, and tutorial videos are linked to lessons that
they will present—making authentic and helpful
connections between the PD and practice. There
are tutorials for setting up and customizing an
account, lesson planning, lessons and resources,
and community tutorials.

Ease of Use: The Reading Horizons PD course
is easy to use and takes specialized PD one step
further, giving teachers 24/7 access to course-
specific PD. Video support is always available,
especially for modeling, and there are downloadable

print resources for assessment and lesson planning. Modules are

self-paced and offer opportunities for practice and reflection.

Users navigate the program and access all resources from a single

dashboard. Teachers can also be part of the learning community by

subscribing to community forums, starting discussions, or replying to

posts from other teachers. This training model is effective, ongoing,

and program-specific, with clear outcomes.

Creative Use of Technology: The course offers 24/7 access and

integrated communication so that teachers can learn to use Reading

Horizons more effectively. Modules are linked specifically to all the

lessons they will teach. Teachers and administrators have immediate

access to materials as well as to online manuals so that the PD can

have the greatest impact on their teaching.

Suitability for Use in a School Environment:

Because this PD is online, teachers don’t have to

go to other places after a long day of teaching to

participate in PD. This PD, specific to the software

that they’re currently using, is available anytime,

anywhere. Teachers can access training and

fresh materials before they’re ready to teach the

next lesson and also be part of a larger learning

community.

READING HORIZONS ONLINE

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE

rhaccelerate.com n Price and licensing: $100 per teacher, $2,500 for site license

TOP FEATURES

• Online professional development
  connected to the Reading Horizons
  program.


• Materials, with videos and downloads, are
  instantly available.


• It’s easy to be part of the online learning
  community.

OVERALL RATING:

This excellent PD

course provides specific

training for the different

Reading Horizons modules,

and teachers can easily

call up superior lessons

and support materials

anytime.