ANGOLA, IN - Trine University has added a Blended and Online Teaching licensure option to its Franks School of Education after receiving approval from the Indiana State Board of Education.

Students in any of Trine's teaching majors who pass the new one-hour EDU 461 Online & Blended Learning course can now be licensed to teach virtually in the state of Indiana. Trine is one of the first universities in the state to offer this option.

"We decided to add this licensure to provide our teacher candidates with an understanding of how to teach in a virtual school, including a practicum where they get the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills with K-12 students enrolled in a virtual school," said Tony Kline, Ph.D., dean of the Franks School of Education. "Whether our teacher candidates decide to teach in a virtual school upon graduation or choose a traditional setting, we believe this licensure will make them better teachers and gain additional educational technology pedagogy skills that can be applied in all settings."

The EDU 461 course provides students with opportunities to deepen their understanding of the daily requirements and challenges of teaching in an online or blended setting.

"Our goal is to provide opportunities for our teacher candidates to acquire the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to help all students learn in a digital environment," said Megan Tolin, assistant professor and director of educational technology and pedagogy in the Franks School of Education, who teaches the course.