Diploma in TeleLearning and Rural School Teaching

By: Kristel Brown, SNN Reporter
Roncalli Central High
Port Saunders, NF

Research and development, teacher education, and professional development are the three goals for the Telelearning and Rural Education in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Centre for Telelearning and Rural Education gives teachers the opportunity to receive a diploma which will consist of completing six core courses, four elective courses and field- based experience for any new teachers. The courses are accessed online but can also be available on CD- Rom for people who have difficulty with the Internet connection.

Wilbert Boone, managing director for the Centre for Telelearning and Rural Education, Faculty of Education MUN

"The use of the program is widely spreading in Canada not just in Newfoundland and Labrador", quoted Wilbert Boone, managing director for the Centre for Telelearning and Rural Education, faculty of education. Schools in the province are being used as case studies to introduce the telelearning program.

The majority of schools in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador are rural. Statistics show that two thirds of the population of schools are rural, therefore teachers should be trained in this area.

Teachers who do partake in this program, must have completed a bachelors degree in education, and in the completion of receiving the diploma, the teacher will receive qualifications for sixth grade.

For more information on the telelearning diploma, you may visit the Centre for Telelearning and Rural Education website at, www.tellearn.mun.ca/diploma . You may also visit the Faculty of Education at, www.mun.ca/educ/ . Teachers are encouraged to check this out, it is a great opportunity for telecommunications technologies and a promotion of excellence in teaching and learning in rural areas.