Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Uses for T.O.E. Courses
How are T.O.E. courses aligned with NCLB?
NCLB (Title IX, Part A) specifies that professional development activities are to be “high quality, sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction and the teacher’s performance in the classroom.” T.O.E. courses are noted for their emphasis on practical application, development of professional expertise, and relevance to today’s classrooms. All T.O.E. course assignments, journal entries, and forum discussions are expressly designed to help participants to apply what they are learning in their own classrooms. Furthermore, participants in all T.O.E. courses interact with their instructor and fellow teachers throughout each course to deepen and expand both their knowledge base and professional experience.
NCLB (Title II, Part D) “Enhancing Education Through Technology” requires every student to be technologically literate by the time he or she completes eighth grade. All T.O.E. courses utilize a range of technological applications, thereby introducing its teacher-participants to first-hand experience using said technologies in a learning environment. This experience may then be transferred to the participant’s own classroom as a means of helping his or her own students to increase their technological literacy.
Will the credits for my T.O.E. courses be accepted in my district?
It is your responsibility to determine if a T.O.E. course will be accepted by your district before you enroll. If your district requires further information or a syllabus, you or they may contact the Curriculum Director, who will be happy to provide them with any information they need.
Where do I get a full syllabus if my district needs it to approve my course?
If you need a copy of the full syllabus, please contact the Curriculum Director, who will be happy to help you.
Are T.O.E. courses part of any online degree program?
T.O.E. courses are not part of any online
degree program. They may be used as electives in many
degree programs, however. To find out, check with the
Program Administrator for your degree program. T.O.E. will
be happy to send him or her our full syllabus. This may
be obtained from the T.O.E. Curriculum Director.
Can I use T.O.E. courses for electives?
T.O.E. courses may be used as electives in many
degree programs. To find out, check with the Program
Administrator for your degree program. T.O.E. will
be happy to send him or her our full syllabus. This may
be obtained from the T.O.E. Curriculum Director.
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Technology Expertise
What kind of computer do I need?
Minimum technology requirements include the following: Internet service, email account, and printer, as well as the following software and hardware requirements:
- Software: Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or another word processing program capable of saving files in RTF (Rich Text Format), Web Browser (Netscape 4.0 or Internet 4.0 or higher).
- Hardware: PC minimum requirements: Pentium II 500 MHz PC, Windows 2000 OS, 128 MB RAM, 28.8 Kbps modem, sound card and speakers, 40 MB free disk space. Macintosh minimum requirements: PowerPC or G3 233 MHz machine, 128 MB RAM, 28.8Kbps modem, sound card and speakers, 40 MB free disk space.
How skilled at using a computer do I need to be?
T.O.E. courses require basic computer literacy skills such as knowing how to create and save simple documents using word-processing software (like Word or WordPerfect), use a mouse to navigate and open or close windows, and how to access the Internet. Participants need not worry if they have never taken an online course before. The Moodle platform is highly intuitive and very easy to learn. Participants will receive online training in how to use Moodle (the online platform for all T.O.E. courses) at the very beginning of their course. This training includes video demonstrations as well as written guidelines to print out and save. If you have any further questions about what online learning is like, or would like to take a quick self-quiz to see if online learning is right for you, click here.
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Enrollment
What if I’m not sure I’ll like online learning?
If you have any qualms at all, please click on How Online Learning Works on our website. There, you’ll find information, some online FAQs, and a fun quiz you can take to see if online learning is really for you.
Do I have to register at a university first?
No. When you enroll in a T.O.E. course, we take care of this step for you. Your information will be forwarded to the university you selected.
What if the course is full and I need the credits?
Please contact our Curriculum Director, who will be
happy to assist you: querytoe@teacheronlineeducation.com.
Is it ever possible to enroll in a course once it has begun?
Yes. Our courses remain open for enrollment for the first
5 days of every month. If there are still seats available,
there is the option to enroll late. Please contact the
Curriculum Director for details: querytoe@teacheronlineeducation.com.
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Course Materials
How do I get my textbook for the course?
You will need to purchase a book for each of your courses. These books are available in new or used condition from Amazon.com and many other online bookstores.
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Using Moodle
Why can’t I see my course on the Moodle site?
You will not be able to see your course section until the day the course opens. The only courses visible on the Moodle course site are those currently in session. However, if you cannot see your course even though it has opened, please contact the Curriculum Director immediately.
How do I learn how to use Moodle before I start my course?
You will complete an Orientation Module as the first element of each T.O.E. course you take. This module is focused on helping you learn about Moodle and how to use its functions. You may find the Course Demo helpful if you want to get a glimpse into what a course written in Moodle looks like.
Where can I get help during the course?
Help is provided for you throughout the course. Each participant will complete an Orientation Module at the beginning of each course. This module and all of its content are available to the participant throughout the course. Moodle provide little help icons (a circle with a question mark inside) throughout each activity. To access them, simply click on the icon and a help pop-up window will appear. In addition, T.O.E. has linked help files throughout the course as well. Look for the little red apple icon. If you cannot find the answer to your problem using these resources, you may contact your instructor or TeacherOnlineEducation.com for assistance.
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Grading
What is an “Incomplete”?
Any participant who does not submit all of his or her work for a course during the 12 weeks in which the course is open will automatically receive a grade of “Incomplete”. If the participant wishes to finish the course work and receive a final grade (and the graduate credits due), he or she should contact the Curriculum Director to arrange for an extension.
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Withdrawals & Extensions
What if I can’t finish the course on time?
All T.O.E. courses are set to allow participants
12 weeks for completion. If a participant needs more
time, he or she may arrange for an additional 12 weeks
to complete the course by paying an additional Extension
Fee of $450 for a further 3 months. The maximum extension
is up to 9 months after the initial course ends obtained
in 3-month increments), or the last day of the 12th month
following the course opening, whichever comes first.
Arrangements for extensions are made with the Curriculum Director.
What is your withdrawal policy?
Withdrawal policies depend on the time of withdrawal:
- Withdrawals prior to the course opening date will
receive a refund of the full amount minus
the $50 withdrawal fee.
- The last opportunity for withdrawal and a partial refund will be between the time the course opens and the participant’s completion of the Orientation Module or the
end of the first seven days of the course, whichever
comes first. This refund will be for 60% of the course
fee. If the participant enters the numbered modules
of the course during this time, the offer for a refund
upon withdrawal is canceled.
- Once the participant has either completed the Orientation
Module or the first seven days of the course have elapsed
(whichever comes first), there are no further refunds
available.
- Requests for transfers of withdrawals for emergency reasons will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Curriculum Director.
What happens if I have an emergency and must withdraw after my course has begun?
If you are enrolled in a T.O.E. course, please contact the Curriculum Director immediately. She will explain your options and help you find the best solution.
If I have an emergency, is withdrawing the only option?
No. The Curriculum Director will explain your options. We want you to be able to finish your course if you choose to.
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Receiving Your Graduate Credits
When do I get the credits for my course?
T.O.E. will submit your grade immediately after the instructor turns it in. With the exception of NCSD/Salem State College credits, a transcript is usually available immediately. However, there are exceptions to this pattern. Please contact the Curriculum Director for the specific timing of transcript availability.
How do I get semester credits if the university offers quarter hours (or vice versa)?
It is a generally accepted practice that courses granting 5 quarter hours of credit are equivalent to courses granting 3 semester hours of credit, and vice versa. It is not necessary to “get” one instead of the other since they are interchangeable. If you have a concern, please check before you enroll in the course.
How can I get a transcript?
If you need a transcript, you may contact the university directly. There is usually a small fee involved, and sometimes the process is free. On the University Partners page of the T.O.E. website, there are links to the appropriate university department for each university with which T.O.E. is affiliated.
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Group Discounts
Is there a discount available if I register with a group
of my colleagues?
Yes. Please email our Curriculum Director, Kathleen Cleveland, to arrange for a Group Discount (querytoe@teacheronlineeducation.com).
She will explain the details and give you a special code
to use when your group registers.
How many educators do we need to
make a “Group”?
Group
Discounts apply to groups of 5 or more educators who
register for one course within a 5-day window using the
same special code (provided by the Curriculum Director).
How much is the discount?
Assuming that a Group of 5
educators signed up within the 5-day window using the
special code, each member of the Group of 5 would receive
a $25.00 rebate check that will be mailed at the end
of the first month of coursework.
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Returning
Participant Discounts
Is there a discount
available to Returning Participants?
Yes. Returning
Participants are asked to please contact our Curriculum Director,
Kathleen Cleveland, to arrange for a Returning Participant
Discount (querytoe@teacheronlineeducation.com)
or (800)-561-2295. Returning Participants who
contact T.O.E. to register or who register
online and note the term “Returning Participant” in
the referral window receive a $25.00 Thank You Check that
will be mailed at the end of the first month of coursework.
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Referral
Bonus for Former Participants
I’d
like to spread the word about my experience. Can I
get a bonus for referring my colleagues?
Absolutely! This
is one of the best ways to spread the word about TeacherOnlineEducation.com.
Simply have your colleagues note YOUR name in the referral
window when they register. We will send you a $25.00 Thank
You Check at the end of their first month
of coursework. This bonus applies only to
current and former participants and cannot be used in
addition to a Group Discount.
Do you have an informational flier I could post at my
school to generate interest?
Yes. We’d be delighted
if you would print and post or forward this Informational
Flier about
our courses. Many thanks!
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