Alternative path to teaching is not a new concept and Teachers of Tomorrow aren’t the only kids on the playground. Most states have clear requirements to obtain a teaching certificate through an alternative pathway. First, a person needs to have at least a bachelor degree and a certain CPGA (cumulative grade point average). Second, the prospective teacher candidate must pass the same exams as a regular teacher. Some states this means passing the Praxis 2 exam. If they wanted to teach elementary education then the corresponding Praxis 2 exam must be taken and passed. The very same test someone went through four years of college in an education program would have to pass. Some states have a pedagogy exam in addition to the Content exam. A pedagogy exam again is the same exam covering teaching methods as someone who did four years in college as an education major. Lastly, students coming out of college in an education major have roughly less than 1 month in front of a classroom as the primary teacher. They might have 6 months as a student teacher but this is not what most think. At least with Teachers of Tomorrow there is a mentor with the teacher the entire first year teaching.
Lastly, people used to think the internet was a fantasy land playground. People used to think dating someone online was only for the desparate and to be disparaged. Now people openly join sites like Match.com and eHarmony or some other dating site. Those who have never taken an online course do not realize the rigors involved in taking such a course. These people fall into the first category. I firmly believe these people also see working at home as a godsend. The problem with this is that going to a brick and mortar school is filled with structure and is way more easier to form a routine. However, a online class requires you to have discipline to be resourceful and self motivated. It is no wonder when the world is trying to move into a more mobile and technical world there are bastions of heavy resistance like those who see online degrees as weaker than their counterparts. For those who see the only way to get an education is to go to class, is stuck and will always be stuck in the time before computers. Embrace change because change is imminent. I would hire a person who graduated from a reputable online school over someone who went to a brick and mortar school because they have drive, motivation and self reliance. Most colleges are beginning to go to a blended format.
I think it is likely that the staff of the traditional brick and mortar colleges are looking to protect their turf. It can’t be easy to get teachers into the classroom in Detroit. It seems they are happier seeing the positions go unfilled than to let the online colleges get a nose under the tent.
QFT: “The problem with this is that going to a brick and mortar school is filled with structure and is way more easier to form a routine. However, a online class requires you to have discipline to be resourceful and self motivated.”
Ditto - getting some personal insight to that now with an online Master’s degree program from Western Governors University, a fully accredited institution I would add.