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World Campus joins AT&T learning network virtual academy By Celena E. Kusch
	Last fall, AT&T announced the launch of the AT&T Learning Network Virtual Academy, an on-line centralized resource that provides teachers and educators with access to Web-based professional development opportunities and courses. Penn State’s World Campus has been selected to offer some of the premier courses featured in the AT&T Virtual Academy. “This partnership between the World Campus and AT&T underscores Penn State’s commitment to support lifelong learning for teachers into the next century by helping them meet their expanding credential requirements—anytime, anywhere,” said Dr. Elizabeth M. Hawthorne, director of academic programs for Penn State’s World Campus. According to U.S. Department of Education statistics, 2 million teachers will be needed over the next 10 years to replace retirees and accommodate rapidly growing student enrollments. This presents an enormous opportunity and challenge for ensuring teacher quality well into the 21st century. The Virtual Academy makes it possible for teachers to take classes at accredited colleges and universities thousands of miles from home—or even just across the street—and discuss the latest teaching and technology trends with colleagues. According to Joan Fenwick, director, AT&T Learning Network, “The AT&T Learning Network focuses on the profession that most directly impacts our future leaders—our teachers. The Virtual Academy is the first on-line centralized resource of its kind to offer teachers access to a host of quality professional development programs focused on integrating technology into the classroom and designed to help teachers meet their credential requirements.” In the Virtual Academy, the Penn State World Campus is continuing its tradition of offering academic excellence on-line with a new program for educators—the Penn State Educational Technology Certificate. The six-course program provides practicing teachers with technology skills that can be applied directly and immediately in their classrooms. Teachers may enroll in the full certificate program or take any of the courses individually.