The 411 - News You Can Use About Broward Schools

New, Updated
Courses Available
Online Via
Broward Virtual University

Broward Virtual University is heading in a new direction that includes newly designed courses complete with video and interactive features including self-checking assessments and animation to enhance the content. Existing programming will be updated throughout the year to fulfill Broward Virtual University’s new vision, which is being implemented under the direction of Debra Friedman, Director of Program Development & Alignment.

Of particular note is a new series of online courses designed specifically for teachers new to the profession. The first course, NESS The First Year: Getting Started, is a series of videos, hosted by District curriculum specialists, that introduce new teachers to a variety of topics including state standards, textbooks and lesson planning. A second course, NESS Classroom Management: Becoming A Champion Teacher, Part I, features an online mentor who provides new teachers with guidance and support as they learn a positive approach to classroom management, teaching strategies and techniques. NESS Classroom Management Part II is due out later this year. All of this programming is so worthwhile that it is offered to all teachers under the category of Foundations of Teaching.

Two new foreign language courses are being offered to help Spanish teachers review their skills and prepare for the subject area certification examination. In addition to reading and gifted endorsement courses already offered, ESOL endorsement courses are being added this year.

Broward Virtual University’s new schedule of courses was recently distributed to all schools to enable teachers to plan their professional development. For registration and additional information, log onto (www.sbbc-vu.com). The Browse Our Courses section is extensive and easy to explore by subject area; pull-down menus list course titles and automatically link to the specific course’s overview.

Multicultural & ESOL Program Services Education Department Honored
The Commissioner of Education’s Task Force on African-American History recently presented the Multicultural & ESOL Program Services Education Department with an award in recognition of the Fifth Annual African Heritage Forum: Understanding the Legacy, co-sponsored by the Urban League of Broward County. More than 1,400 eighth graders from public and charter schools attended the event, held at the Signature Grand in May. The students participated in literacy and multimedia activities and engaged in roundtable discussions with elders and role models from the African-American community.