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

Practicum in Online Teaching -- Frequently asked questions

This document answers the most-asked questions about the Practicum in Online Teaching, the capstone course to LEARN NC's Carolina OnLine Teacher Program.

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  • LEARN NC professional development - Frequently asked questions: Find the answers to frequently asked questions about LEARN NC professional development courses.
  • Carolina Online Teacher Program (COLT): Now you can earn a LEARN NC Certificate in online instruction through the Carolina Online Teacher program (COLT). In five core courses and two electives, totaling a minimum of 17 CEUs, you’ll master the component skills of online teaching: effective collaboration and facilitation, creating learning communities, navigating the virtual classroom, and developing student-centered instruction.
  • Moodle Terms of Use: This document lists the terms of use for using LEARN NC's Moodle learning management system.

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What course will I teach in the COLT Practicum in Online Teaching?
You may teach any course you like, provided that it takes place entirely online and lasts a minimum of five weeks. If you developed a course after completing Develop Your Online Course, you may teach that. You may also teach a course that someone else developed. LEARN NC offers a number of shared courses to choose from. Please check with your school system or University to ensure that your course meets all applicable standards and requirements.
When should the course begin?
The Practicum in Online Teaching begins on a rolling basis, depending on the needs of practicum participants. There is no requirement on when courses can begin, though LEARN NC recommends that they begin on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. LEARN NC requires that participants enroll in the Practicum a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the start of the practicum participant’s online course.
Who will be the students in my online course?
You are responsible for finding students to take your online course. Students may be K-12 students, community college students, university students, or teachers.
Will students have to pay for my online course?
LEARN NC does not charge a per-student fee for the online course you will teach.
Where will my course be hosted?
You may teach your course on the server provided by your home institution, regardless of the learning management system. If you have received LEARN NC’s Moodle Training, you may teach on the LEARN NC Moodle server.
How do I get my course onto the LEARN NC Moodle server?
If you would like to teach one of LEARN NC’s shared courses, you may submit your request online by going to our course copy request page. The registrar will then provide you with information on how you and your students can access your course.

If your course has not already been created in Moodle, you are responsible for creating content for your course on the LEARN NC Moodle server. Contact the LEARN NC help desk to ask for a blank course. If your course exists in Moodle format but you would like to teach it on the LEARN NC Moodle server, please contact the Learning Management Systems Administrator to arrange to have an archive of your course loaded by LEARN NC.

Why must courses be at least five weeks long?
Participants who teach online courses for fewer than five weeks may not have enough time to reflect on their successes and areas for improvement, consult with their practicum mentor, make adjustments, and observe the results.
Does completing the Practicum in Online Teaching guarantee me future employment?
No. However, the demand for teachers with 21st century skill sets is growing, and COLT graduates report that they have had numerous opportunities to use their skills in a variety of situations.
I am currently teaching online courses through a virtual school or university. Can my courses with them count toward the Practicum in Online Teaching?
The goal of the practicum is to provide fledgling instructors with the opportunity to practice the skills learned in the COLT program under the guidance of an experienced COLT instructor or qualified online teacher, and using a specific mentoring protocol. Other online teaching experiences may or may not meet these rigorous standards for quality, and must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.