“Sexuality ABCs (Abstinence, Birth Control and Condoms)” Anchors First Online Professional Development Offering
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Sexuality educators at Rutgers University have launched their first online professional development course for health teachers and professionals, “Sexuality ABCs (Abstinence, Birth Control and Condoms).” The course is the first in a series of online professional development offerings for health educators created by Answer, the Rutgers-based national organization that provides and promotes comprehensive sexuality education. More information and registration is available at http://answer.rutgers.edu/page/sexualityabcs.
Educators can take this interactive, self-directed course at their own pace, from home. The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing has approved the course for six category-one Certified Health Education Specialist credits, and participants receive a certificate of professional development upon completion.
“We have taught more than 2,500 educators each year through our teacher-training workshops in New Jersey and nationwide, but we understand that educators who crave medically accurate information often don’t have the time to attend workshops in person,” said Nora Gelperin, director of training and education at Answer. “We’ve given them the best of our offerings in a dynamic and user-friendly online format.”
“Sexuality ABCs (Abstinence, Birth Control and Condoms)” uses such online techniques as podcasts, flash animation, videos, threaded discussions and interactive games to help educators understand trends in adolescent sexual behavior, get updated on contraceptive methods, receive sample lesson plans, and practice answering FAQs from teens.
Answer is a leading national organization dedicated to providing and promoting comprehensive sexuality education. The organization’s ongoing initiatives include the national Teen-to-Teen Sexuality Education Project, which provides sexual health resources written by teens, for teens, through the Sex, Etc. national magazine and Web site, Sexetc.org; and the Sexuality Education Training Initiative, which provides training, resources, and technical assistance to more than 2,500 teachers and other youth-serving professionals per year. Answer is part of the Center for Applied Psychology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. More information can be found at http://answer.rutgers.edu.
Media Contact: Ken Branson
732-932-7084, ext. 633
E-mail: kbranson@ur.rutgers.edu