In an effort to remain valuable to their employers, today's teachers are enrolling in certificate programs that allow them to advance their education. By taking advantage of these flexible opportunities, educators can further their knowledge without having to quit their jobs.
For example, NASA and the Georgia Institute of Technology recently announced the launch of the NASA Electronic Professional Development Network (ePDN), an online destination that offers certificate programs for teachers who specialize in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, according to SpaceRef.com. Individuals who take advantage of these opportunities will gain access to materials and resources designed by NASA.
Students have the option to either take individual courses provided by the network, or they can complete the full 52-credit program, the news source reports. Regardless of which educational route students decide to choose, unlimited access to the web-based courses prevents the disruption of daily responsibilities.
Online education instruments including video streaming, podcasting, visualizations and social networking are all incorporated into each course and workshop's curricula, according to the ePDN website.
During the next eight years, the employment of kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school teachers is expected to grow by 13 percent, and the demand will create approximately 468,600 new jobs nationwide, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.
