New state program aims to help educators, administrators improve online learning and professional development

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Network (WVNET), under the direction of the state’s Higher Education Policy Commission, has launched a program aimed at improving online education, training and employee engagement across West Virginia. Offered to teachers, instructors, administrators and managers in K-12, higher education and government entities, the new Teaching and Learning Commons offers a more structured approach to professional development for today’s increasingly digital environment.

“Especially as educators and managers continue moving to virtual platforms in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that we – as a state – offer those on the frontlines of these changes the tools they need for everyone to be successful,” said Dr. Carl Powell, WVNET Director. “WVNET is thrilled to launch this new, far-reaching initiative in partnership with experts in a number of technology fields, and with an eye toward an even stronger digital future.”

To launch Teaching and Learning Commons, WVNET is hosting a Professional Development Week, which will run from Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17. Partnering with vendors including SoftChalk and Quality Matters, along with higher education faculty and cybersecurity experts, the week is free of charge, and will include a series of workshops and a keynote address, “The Future of Learning, Today,” by Apple on Thursday, July 16 at 10:00 a.m.

The full series of events and registration information are available at: https://tlc.wvnet.edu/events/professional-development-week/.

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