LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

LEARN NC professional development - Frequently asked questions

Find the answers to frequently asked questions about LEARN NC professional development courses.

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Do I have to be a current classroom teacher to take LEARN NC online professional development courses?

In most cases no. The LEARN NC courses that charge tuition are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Some courses require that participants try out coursework such as lesson plans in their classrooms. Please see the prerequisites of the course you would like to take, found on the course description page. If you satisfy the prerequisites, you are able to register.
What is the drop/add policy for online courses?
Participants who join LEARN NC online professional development courses after the start date often have difficulty catching up to the rest of the class, and are less likely to finish the course. For this reason, LEARN NC does not allow participants to add a course after the first day of instruction, or to be added from the wait list after the third day.
Because LEARN NC instructors are paid based on the enrollment in their course after five (5) days, students may drop without penalty at any time during the first five days of the course. Students dropping courses after the fifth day will be charged for their seat in the course at a rate of $75 per CEU. Further, students cannot earn partial credit for the portion of the course they completed before dropping. Instructors do not award certificates for partial completion of courses unless specifically indicated in the course syllabus, description, or Learning Support Agreement (LSA).
Can LEARN NC send me a transcript?
No. All credit for LEARN NC professional development is awarded at the school level. LEARN NC can only issue a certificate recommending how many CEUs should be awarded. As such, LEARN NC cannot issue transcripts.
Is financial aid available for online courses?
At this time, LEARN NC is unable to provide financial aid for online courses. However, you may wish to check with your school to see if they will pay the tuition for you. Many schools use Title II funds for staff development. Please check with your principal or professional development coordinator to explore potential funding options.
I just completed my online course. How do I obtain my certificate?
Your course instructor will send your online course certificate electronically after you complete the course. If you do not receive your certificate, please contact Lesley Richardson — lrichardson at learnnc dot org.
How long may I access my course after it ends?
Course participants may access their online course for 30 days after its completion.
I’d like to teach an online course. How can I do that?
  • If you want to teach online courses within your own school district, you can take LEARN NC’s Moodle Training course. You can then request a copy of one of our courses. We’ll provide you with server space and technical support. To register for Moodle Training, please see our list of courses.
  • If you want to teach professional development courses for teachers for LEARN NC, please contact Lesley Richardson — lrichardson at learnnc dot org. For a sampling of the courses you could teach, please see our list of courses.
  • LEARN NC no longer offers online K-12 courses. If you want to teach K-12 courses for the North Carolina Virtual High School, please contact them at www.ncvps.org.
  • If you are interested in earning a certificate as an online teacher, please see the Carolina Online Teacher Program.
The last time I took courses from LEARN NC, they were free for North Carolina public school teachers. Now the courses have tuition. Do I still have to pay?
In 2006-2007, DPI funded online professional development courses for North Carolina public school teachers. That funding was not available again in 2007-2008, so unfortunately, we have to offer our courses on a cost-recovery basis.
However, school systems do receive professional development funds from the state to support staff development. Please check with your principal or professional development coordinator for potential funding options.
I want to teach an online course in my own school district. I completed LEARN NC Blackboard Training, but now that you’ve switched to Moodle, do I have to be retrained?
Yes, you will have to complete LEARN NC’s Moodle Training course.
I want to earn my online teaching certification through the Carolina Online Teacher Program. I completed Blackboard Training, but now it’s been replaced in the COLT program by Moodle Training. Do I have to take Moodle Training now?
If you have completed LEARN NC’s Blackboard Training course, you have satisfied the Moodle Training requirement for the COLT program. In addition, if you expect to teach online using a different learning management platform from Moodle, you can submit a description of the training you received. If approved, it will also fulfill the Moodle Training requirement.
Please note, if you wish to complete the Practicum in Online Teaching using a course on LEARN NC’s Moodle server, you must complete Moodle Training in advance of beginning your Practicum.
I want to register for Blackboard Training, which is required to teach with the North Carolina Virtual Public School, but I don’t see it in your list of courses. How can I enroll in Blackboard Training?
LEARN NC no longer offers Blackboard Training courses at this time. Please contact the Virtual School at www.ncvps.org for more information on Blackboard Training.
I’m a principal or administrator, and I’d like to conduct a section of a LEARN NC online course exclusively for my teachers and staff. Can I do this?

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One of your courses listed in your Professional Development Catalog isn’t being offered right now. Is there a way to schedule this course for teachers at my school?
Contact LEARN NC to schedule a section of any of our courses exclusively for teachers in your school or school system. For more information, please contact us.