SPCS launches partnership with Discovery Education to provide graduate coursework to Virginia's K-12 educators

The University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies (SPCS) has entered into a new partnership with Discovery Education, the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. The launch of the partnership includes two new online graduate courses designed to support current educators teaching in the online learning environment. These courses are being offered in the coming fall semester.

“We’re excited about our new partnership with Discovery Education, which will allow us to have an immediate impact on supporting the professional development of educators,” said Jamelle S. Wilson, SPCS dean. “Courses offered in this partnership respond directly to the pressing need that schools across the state have to adopt varied models for teaching and learning as they continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The first of the two courses is Digital Video Development for Learning and Teaching. This course focuses on helping current educators develop the skills needed to capture, edit and publish quality video segments enhancing the educational experience. The course also examines the best ways to curate new and existing visual elements critical for creating engaging online learning environments.  

The second course now available to educators is Technology Integration Coaching. Through this course, participating educators investigate the basic tenets of instructional coaching and delve into new strategies for improving their digital literacy and effective application of technology within the online or in-class learning environment.

For more information about these courses or instructions on how to register, visit the partnership web page at spcs.richmond.edu/discoveryed.

The courses have been designed for classroom teachers, instructional coaches, and other education professionals who seek to improve skills in teaching with technology. They are powered by Discovery Education’s vast digital resources to assist participants in incorporating digital content and approaches to online instruction to truly engage students during this challenging time.  

“These immersive graduate-level courses are affordably priced at just $800 per class,” noted Wilson. “And the online, flexible nature of the courses allow us to serve educators throughout the Richmond region and across the Commonwealth.”