CFL Book Groups Customer Service

Do you have questions about CFL Book Groups? Review the following FAQs or contact Professional Development Specialist Bonnie Williams at 800.767.9090 ext. 3604 or bwilliams@centerforlearning.org.

FAQs

How do CFL Book Groups work?

CFL Book Groups are based on celebrated works of fiction commonly taught throughout intermediate and high school curricula. Participants read seminal works, participate in forums facilitated by Master Teachers certified in online instruction, and collaborate on classroom best practices for presenting challenging content. The book groups are conducted through CFL Moodle, a user-friendly online course management system tailored to fit each book group’s objectives. The facilitator will guide you through the lessons, post assignments, and monitor your participation.

Can I earn graduate credit?

For an additional fee, eligible individuals can earn one graduate credit per class through our NCATE accredited partner universities—the University of Akron and Northwestern Nazarene University. For more information, visit the CFL Book Groups landing page and click on the “Learn More” link corresponding to the book that interests you. In addition, school- and district-level professional development guidelines can be met with customized CFL Book Groups designed for groups of 20 or more. Call 800.767.9090 for details.

How do I sign up?

To learn about and sign up for specific book groups, visit our CFL Book Groups Web page.

What is included in the cost?

The base cost of $199 is the course fee only. Participants are responsible for any materials needed for the class, including the novel.

What is the extra cost of graduate credit?

It depends upon the university. The University of Akron graduate credit (for Ohio residents ONLY) is an additional $150. The Northwest Nazarene University graduate credit is an additional $90.

What are my options for payment?

We accept purchase orders, credit cards, and checks.

How many people can enroll in a CFL Book Group?

To keep the discussions lively, a class must have at least seven people enrolled. The maximum number of participants is 20.

Are there specific dates and times that I will need to be on the computer?

One of the benefits of a Web-based class is that you are not required to be online at specific times. However, you are required to check in several times each week and to meet certain due dates. Everything happens asynchronously, which means you can participate when it’s convenient for you. Asynchronous learning allows you to contribute to discussions after you’ve taken time to think about your responses and craft thoughtful posts.

How soon do I need to complete the book?

For most CFL PD courses, you will need to read the entire book within the first few days of the start of the course.

How often will I need to visit my online class?

We encourage you to visit as often as possible: Attempt to check in for at least a few minutes each day. You should log on a minimum of three times per week when you can devote a block of time to the course and your assignments. This assures you won’t fall behind once the discussion forums begin. It’s a lot easier to read a smattering of new posts every day or so than it is to sort through dozens of posts if you’ve skipped several days in a row.

How often is new content posted?

Every few days or so, the facilitator will post new topics, insight about the book, discussion questions, and assignments.

How frequently will I need to post to the discussion forums?

Discussions forums are at the heart of online learning. Therefore, it’s imperative that everyone participates in discussions. You’re required to post answers to each discussion prompt. In addition, you must respond to at least two of your colleagues’ postings for each discussion question.

How do I contact the facilitator?

Feel free to contact the facilitator any time with questions or concerns about the course. You can e-mail your facilitator or post questions in the Help Forum near the top of the course home page. Expect the facilitator to answer questions posted on the Help Forum or sent via e-mail within 24 hours.

How does the facilitator contact me?

Facilitators communicate with students via e-mail. The facilitator will only call you at your request or if you haven’t logged on to the course for a long time and don’t respond to the facilitator’s emails.

How often will I hear from the facilitator?

In addition to adding new content every few days, the facilitator will periodically post announcements about assignments or other information you may need. Announcements may also be e-mailed. Make sure to check often for updates in the top section of the course’s home page.

How is attendance recorded?

The facilitator keep tabs on your attendance through CFL Moodle, the online course management system for all CFL Book Groups. Through CFL Moodle, facilitators can track what resources you look at, which discussions you participate in, etc. Low attendance will adversely affect your grade for the course.

How are grades and feedback provided?

Grades for discussion forums and/or assignments will be posted after they are received and evaluated. This should occur within a week following the due date. You will have access to your grades, which will be the primary feedback that you receive.