Minn. teachers pilot online training

Fifteen Minnesota schools are taking part in a pilot program that allows

five staff members from those schools to take technology courses online

for free.

The teachers can choose from more than 200 courses from online training

company NETg's Skill Builder library. The courses, cover a variety of software

and programs, such as Microsoft Corp.'s Word, Oracle and Windows NT. The

classes will teach participants how to use the software and how to incorporate

them into the classroom.

The program, involving NETg, Minnesota state colleges and universities,

and the Office of Technology at the state's Department of Administration,

requires teachers to take at least one course and provide a written review

of the material and suggest ways to integrate it into staff development

plans and programs.

The pilot, which runs from May 1 to Sept. 1 and allows staff members

to take as many courses as they want, aims to promote technology skills

within Minnesota's K-12 teachers and staff.

NETg was used during the past two years at colleges and universities

around the state.