Online Training Opportunities
The following training is hosted through the NDE Digital Learning Center. Start by pre-registering (forms below). Once accepted into the course you will be provided with login info to access/complete training.
First Connections
First Connections is a multifaceted, comprehensive telecommunications project offering education about infants and toddlers to teachers, caregivers, and parents across the state of Nebraska and beyond.
First Connections is designed to make exemplary technology-based training opportunities available to early childhood care and education personnel working with infants and toddlers, including those with special needs, primarily in home-based child care. The argument for high-quality child care is strengthened by recent research that highlights the importance of early environmental experiences on the developing infant’s brain and ultimately on the child’s overall development. Specifically, this research stresses the importance of positive responsive caregiver-child interaction on the young child’s cognitive and psychosocial development.
First Connections is available at a cost of $25
Click here for more information and to get pre-registered for First Connections.
School Age Connections
School Age Connections is a comprehensive, interactive, Internet-based set of modules providing information about working with school-age children. The training is designed to assist providers in the development and implementation of school-age programming for before and after school, during non-school days, and during summer vacation. There 3 modules covering a wide range of topics, and each contains a wealth of information, interactive activities, and a review, as well as links to additional resources.
Each module is proctored by an experienced instructor. The instructor will review the work of each participant and will inform NDE to send a certificate of completion when the module has been satisfactorily completed. Each module will provide five (5) hours of in-service credit (for Nebraska participants).
School Age Connections is available at a cost of $10.00 per module.
Click here for more information and to get pre-registered for School Age Connections.
Step Up to Quality Orientation
The Step Up to Quality orientation is your first step on the path to quality.
The online orientation is designed to inform participants of the following:
- The history of Step Up to Quality
- Program goals, supports and benefits
- Introduction to the Nebraska Early Childhood Professional Record System (NECPRS)
- An overview of Steps 1-5
The Step Up to Quality online orientation is available at a cost of $5 and provides 1.5 hours of in-service credit.
To pre-register for the online orientation, please complete this form.
Visit the Step Up to Quality website for more information.
Other Online Training Opportunities
The following training is hosted through an outside website (instructions linked below).
WIDA Early Years: Supporting Dual Language Learners
The WIDA Early Years online modules are professional learning resources focused on the unique needs and experiences of multilingual children, ages 2.5 to 5.5 years. Multilingual children, commonly referred to as dual language learners, are children who are developing more than one language. Each self-paced, interactive module provides opportunities for reflection and offers suggestions for applying content to local practice. Users must create their own individual account and register for access. To access the WIDA Early Years online modules, visit The University of Wisconsin-Madison online.
Modules include:
- Dual Language Learners and their Families
- WIDA Early English Language Development Standards Framework
- Dual Language Learners with Disabilities
- Scaffolding Language Learning
- Promising Practices
There is no prescribed order to viewing or completing the modules. We encourage users to select modules based on their learning needs. Users that are new to working with multilingual children should begin, however, with the Dual Language Learners and their Families module.
This training is self-paced and free for Nebraska early childhood professionals.
Contact us for additional assistance
Resources:
If you encounter any technical issues, or have trouble creating your account or registering, please email Matthew Freid at freid@wisc.edu. If you have questions about module content, or general questions about WIDA Early Years, please email EarlyYears@wida.us. Lastly, if you have state-specific questions, please visit the NDE Office of Early Childhood website or contact Linda Bray at linda.bray@nebraska.gov.