FAQs (Frequently-Asked-Questions)

Important Information

• Course Questions
• Credit Questions
• Enrollment/Payment/Refund Questions
  

Course Questions

How much do the courses cost?

The courses vary in price. Most courses are 30hr instruction courses and cost $199. You can find the price for each course by clicking on its course title on the Course Offerings page. (See the Credit section below to understand the relationship between instruction hours and credit.)

What courses will be offered and when?

Please visit our Course Offerings page to see the currently scheduled courses and links for a listing of planned course offerings for the year and the full TeacherLine course catalog. You can also sign-up for our email service and we'll keep you posted on new course offerings and TeacherLine updates as they happen.

Where can I get a quick overview of TeacherLine courses?

Please visit our About Courses page; it provides an overview of the courses and a listing of the course features.

What's the difference between a national course (direct from PBS TeacherLine) and one being offered in my state or region (through TeacherLine Southeast)?

When a course is offered in your state or region (GA-NC-SC), participants are usually restricted to your common area and discussions and assignments are more likely to address local standards and issues. Also, local facilitators are used to lead the courses.

In a national course, you will be working with fellow learners from all over the country (and possible world) and your course facilitator could be from anywhere. The course syllabus is the same though, whether you participate in a national course or local/regional one.

You can tell whether a course if offered nationally by PBS TeacherLine or locally by TeacherLine Southeast (as SCETV) by clicking on the name of the course and looking for the "Offered by" information in the light green box on the upper right side of the screen.

Do I need to attend any meetings? Are there extra textbooks or articles that I will need to buy?

Courses are taught entirely online via the PBS TeacherLine Web site. There’s no need to buy any books or tapes or attend in-person meetings. You simply log on to the PBS TeacherLine website to access your course and complete your coursework.

When/how will I be able to access my course? How do I start my course?

You will have access to your course two days before the official start date. This will give you time to log in, explore the learning environment and introduce yourself in the discussions area. We encourage you to take this opportunity and get familiar with the course setup!

To enter your course, go to the PBS TeacherLine website and login with your Email and Password. The title of the course you enrolled in should then appear; click the link for it and it will take you to your course environment where you will do your coursework. If the course name doesn’t appear, select “My Courses” from the top menu bar and this will prompt the display of your course.

You may begin your course work on the first day of the course; simply log in to the PBS site as noted above and begin your first assignment. Your facilitator will send you a welcome e-mail on or before the first day of the course, however you do not need this e-mail to access and begin your course. Be sure to begin your course within the first three days.

Important: To ensure that you receive important course-related emails, add "teacherline@scetv.org" and "tltechsupport@pbs.org" to your email address book of contacts. If you don't do this, your email provider might reject our emails or send them to your 'spam' folder and you could miss important course notices.

I read there are videos in my course. Does PBS send them through the mail?

No, the videos are accessed through your course; you will view them through your computer monitor.

How do I know if my computer will be compatible with the courses?

To check your computer to see if it has all the necessary software and settings for TeacherLine courses, go to the PBS TeacherLine "Help" area and click on the “Check Your Computer” link on the left side of the screen. This will check your computer for all the necessary components and give you a status report along with links for free downloads of any needed applications.

TeacherLine supports many versions of both Windows and Macintosh operating systems and also a variety of browsers (programs that serve as your entry to the World Wide Web).

Can we print the readings or do we have to read everything “online”?

You will be able to print out any information within your course.

Is there a teacher or is this independent study?

A specially trained facilitator, with at least a Master’s degree in a relevant field of study, will actively lead you through the course, setting due dates for coursework and assisting you with course content and assignments.

How much work is involved in taking TeacherLine courses?

Most TeacherLine courses run for six weeks and assignments are due weekly, but you can choose the times in which you go online to do them. You need to log into your course at least three (3) times a week to read assignments and read and respond to discussion boards. Again, YOU pick the time during each given week, but plan on spending 3-10 hours a week on your course work (depending on whether you take a 15hr, 30hr or 45hr course). Failure to complete assignments and/or participate in weekly discussion board topics will result in a failing grade.

Please note that TeacherLine courses are graduate level courses. Course content and assignments are outlined in each course's syllabus and we encourage all prospective learners to review the syllabus for any course in which s/he is interested. Syllabus links are posted to the right of each course listed on the Course Offerings page.

Are my assignments graded?

Yes, your course facilitator will grade your assignments, give you constructive and timely feedback on them, and post your grades.

What are the course policies?

Please visit our Policies page and also the PBS TeacherLine Support page that has links for policies on several matters.

Can I see what a course environment looks like before enrolling in a course?

Yes, you may access the PBS TeacherLine “Free Orientation Course” at any time to get familiar with the TeacherLine course environment; you do not need to be enrolled in an actual course to take the free orientation course, however you do need to 'join' PBS TeacherLine (joining is free - see below). Note: This is not really a course; there is no grade for it, it's really more of just an open course environment you can explore to get familiar with the format of real TeacherLine courses. The 'course' also contains many helpful tips about learning online and getting the most our of your experience. If you are new to learning online, we highly recommend that you spend some time exploring this course.

How do I become a TeacherLine member?

Go to the PBS TeacherLine registration page and fill out the brief form by entering your name, email address, phone number, and choosing a password. There is no cost for joining and this enables you to access the free orientation course noted above.

I am/am not nervous about online learning. Should I take the orientation "course"?

We encourage anyone new to online learning or to TeacherLine courses to get their feet wet with our “Free Orientation Course” before their actual course begins. This "course" does not offer any credit, however it contains many helpful tips about learning online and getting the most our of your TeacherLine experience. As stated above, you do not need to be enrolled in an actual course to take the free orientation course, however you do need to be a PBS TeacherLine member (membership is free, see above).

I am not a “techie” and can barely send an email, can I still complete a TeacherLine course?

Of course! Our learners have a wide range of skills. If you need extra help, just let your facilitator know and he/she will be happy to give you extra assistance.

Can I take more than one course at a time?

You can sign up for as many courses as you would like, but we do not recommend taking more than 2 at a time if you have not previously taken a TeacherLine course.

What are educators and past learners saying about the courses?

See what school and district administrators and past learners are saying about PBS TeacherLine courses on our Testimonials page!

How do you determine which courses to offer?

Our research-based courses cover a variety of subject areas including language arts, math, science, general instructional strategies, and technology. Through collaborations with ISTE, NCTM, a National Advisory Board, and PBS member stations, PBS TeacherLine determines course topics and pedagogy. If you are seeking a specific content area not currently addressed, we encourage you to consider our instructional strategies and technology courses as they have many applications and may perhaps offer some value to you.

Where can I go for help?

TeacherLine courses offer several sources for assistance:

Can I attend class in my pajamas?

Yes!

Tips for Online Learners

Here are some tips to help you have a positive learning experience in your TeacherLine course.

• Enroll in just one or two courses at a time, especially if working full-time;
• Review your course syllabus at least one week before your course begins to ensure it is the right course for you;
• Complete the TECH101 Practice Learning Online with PBS TeacherLine free demo at least one week prior to beginning your first course;
• Use the "Check Your Computer" tool on the PBS TeacherLine Web site to be sure your computer has the right software and settings for working on a course;
• Add "teacherline@scetv.org" and "tltechsupport@pbs.org" to your email address book of contacts to ensure that important course notices are delivered to you;
• Know the course participation policies ahead of time;
• Try to check your e-mail at least every two days while you are taking a course and keep your TeacherLine profile updated;
• Log in to your course at least three times a week (beginning, middle, and end), even if it's only for short periods of time;
• Post thoughtful comments to your discussion board. Always ask yourself, "How can I move this discussion and everyone's understanding forward with my response?";
• Be respectful of others, and be open to receiving constructive criticism of your work from peers and your course facilitator;
• Support your peers and course facilitator. If you know the answer to a question, please provide it;
• Know who to go to for help and ask for help right away if needed. Notify your facilitator if you will be absent from your course for more than three days;
• Have fun and enjoy meeting and working with new colleagues!

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Credit Questions:

How much credit can I get for a course?

• 40 SC renewal credits
• 3 GA PLUs
• 3 NC CEUs
• or 2 graduate credits (if you pay the extra fee)

Will my State Department of Education give re-certification credit for TeacherLine courses or recognize the graduate credits for pay upgrades?

TeacherLine courses have been pre-approved and accepted for re-certification credit by the SC and GA state departments of education and also by more than 100 NC districts. Graduate credits have been accepted for many re-certification uses and for pay upgrades. You are strongly advised to verify with your school district or department of education the value of credit a particular course will earn per your particular certification and educational needs prior to enrolling in a course.

On our Credit page, see also the sections for:

• Georgia (PLU credits)
• North Carolina (CEU credits, including reading credit courses)
• South Carolina (renewal credits and PACE credit)

Is graduate credit available for the course I want? How much does it cost?

Graduate credit is generally available for all TeacherLine courses except for any courses offering fewer than 15 contact hours. Check the course detail page to verify the availability of graduate credit for any particular course. See the graduate credit section on our Credit page for more information including cost, which varies per course and institutional provider.

Graduate credit fees are paid directly to the granting institution upon registration for the credit; these fees are separate from course enrollment fees and are NOT paid at the same time.

Note: Registration for graduate credit is available AFTER the course begins through the last day of the course; the information on how to register is provided by your course facilitator, usually around the second week of the course.

What kind of documentation will I get after successfully completing a course?

It depends on the type of certification you choose. Two weeks into the course, we will ask you what type of credit you are seeking for the course.

• If you want SC renewal credits, NC CEU credits, or GA PLU credits, we will mail the appropriate certificate to you at the address you have on record with PBS TeacherLine about 2 weeks after the course ends.
  
  
• If you want graduate credit, you will need to register and pay for it before the course ends, and your documentation will be your transcript from the granting institution. The PBS TeacherLine site offers this information about getting a graduate credit transcript.

Notes:

• Depending on your course, you may be able to download a generic certificate directly from your course login page however this generic certificate is not valid for SC and GA re-certification purposes; if you are pursuing credit in those states, even if you can print the generic certificate, you will need to obtain the official state certificate we provide through the credit notification process.
• If you are certified in more than one state (SC, NC or GA only), we can provide you with a certificate for each state.
• You cannot get both graduate credit and a state re-certification document for a course. If you are pursuing graduate credit for a course, you will apply that credit towards your state re-certification credit.

Will I receive a letter grade for a PBS TeacherLine course?

Yes, you will get a grade, regardless of whether or not you elect to pay for graduate credit. Our courses are graded on the following scale:

• 100-90 = Pass/graduate credit A
• 89-80 = Pass/graduate credit B
• 79-70 = Pass/graduate credit C
• Anything below receives no grade/credit from TeacherLine.

Generally course elements are weighted equally (discussion board participation, assignments, online journal, and final project). Please ask your facilitator for a specific breakdown for the grading in a course.

Note: Expectations for TeacherLine courses are high. Deadlines for weekly course material are real and assignments are graded according to rubrics with point scales. Points will be deducted for work that is not turned in on time according to the weekly schedule. Please inform your facilitator beforehand if you will be away from your computer and s/he will advise you if the work can be made up or completed beforehand as an exception.

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Enrollment/Payment/Refund Questions:

How much do the courses cost?

The courses vary in price. Most courses are 30hr instruction courses and cost $199. You can find the price for each course by clicking on its course title on the Course Offerings page. (See the Credit section above to understand the relationship between instruction hours and credit.)

When and how do I pay for the courses?

Payment is made online at the PBS TeacherLine Web site via credit card at the time of enrollment. Enrollment and payment must be submitted at the same time. The cost of the course does not include the cost of graduate credit if applicable. (Graduate credit registration is handled after the course begins and the fees are paid separately to the institution offering the credit.)

If applicable, we encourage you to talk with your school principal or district office to see if they will pay for your course(s); many schools/districts will pay for your professional development and you won't know until you ask.

Important Course Dates:

How do I drop or withdraw from a course? What are your refund policies?

Please see our refund policies posted here.

How do I enroll?

1. Be sure to read through this entire page before enrolling; it contains a lot of important information you need to know before enrolling.
   
   
2. Important: To ensure that you receive important course-related emails, add "teacherline@scetv.org" and "tltechsupport@pbs.org" to your email address book of contacts. If you don't do this, your email provider might reject our emails or send them to your 'spam' folder and you could miss important course notices, including your enrollment confirmation.
   
   
3. Go to the Course Offerings page, find the course you want to enroll in and click on the course title. This will take you to the PBS TeacherLine site. Click the orange "Enroll" button.
   
   Note: Pay attention to the CourseID and start date given for each course to be sure you select the right course instance for your needs.
   
   
4. If you already have an account with PBS TeacherLine, simply enter your Email and Password in the boxes shown to log in. If you have not yet created an account with PBS TeacherLine, click the "Create an Account" link on the page. You will need to enter your name, email address, phone number and choose a password (write down your password as you will need it each time you enter your course).
   
   
5. After you have logged on or created your account, you will see the course enrollment form.
   
   * If you have a promo code given to you from your district or TeacherLine, enter it in the green promo code box.
   
   Agree to the terms of service and click the "Checkout" button.
   
   
6. If you did not have a promo code to use or you have a remaining balance due, fill out the billing/credit card information and press the "Continue" button. Enrollment into a course is not made until sufficient payment is made.
   
   Note: PBS TeacherLine accepts credit cards and debit cards that do not require the use of a PIN; checks are not accepted for payment. With pre-arrangement, enrollment can be made through use of a school or district purchase order. If you are not participating as part of a fully-paid promotion and you do not have a debit/credit card, we suggest you ask a family member, friend or your school/district for assistance.
   
   Remember: The cost of the course does not include the cost of graduate credit if applicable. (Graduate credit registration is handled after the course begins and the fees are paid separately to the institution offering the credit.)
   
   
7. You will then have a chance to review the information and if necessary make any corrections. Once you complete your enrollment, you will receive an enrollment confirmation via email; we encourage you to print or otherwise save this email.

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