Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/blended-learning-for-todays-out-of-school-time-professionals/5023160/
Professionals who work in Out-of-School Time (OST) programs provide before and after school care, summer camps, and extended care to the school-age population. Effective professional development (PD) is essential to the continued success of all after-school programs.
Currently, many states have changed their school-age child care requirements or are in the process of reviewing and revising education and PD requirements. In response to this initiative, many OST leaders are renewing their partnerships with local colleges, online providers, and PD groups to proactively address and plan for the PD needs of this group as the demand for school-age care and enrichment continues to grow.
Organizations and employees have reported that navigating through the 21st century career setting is increasingly complex, time-consuming, and often challenging (University of Phoenix & EdAssist, 2013). The rate at which careers and job skills change or become outdated have forced companies and employees to look at the need of continuous career planning and skill building more than ever, which is also true in the OST profession.
What was missing, or what changes are needed to target the OST group to increase their skill set, meet state requirements, and more importantly, continue to develop their program quality for the multi-aged children and ...