Prerequisites: Must hold current Communications Training Officer, 6th Edition student certification and have minimum one-year experience in an emergency communications center (ECC), a telematics or 3-1-1 call center.
This course explores the basic skills and techniques of teaching with a focus on how they apply to the Communications Training Officer 6th Edition course. Based on proven adult education principles, completing this course will prepare students to teach APCO courses at their own agencies. Completion of this course will provide students with the skills to foster a positive learning environment, create and use various classroom instructional methodologies, develop classroom resources geared toward deeper learning, conduct APCO Institute course exams, and understand the liability factors related to training.
Instructional media and exercises used throughout the course reinforce the knowledge attained in lecture and demonstration. In addition, each participant receives a comprehensive Communications Training Officer 6th Edition Instructor Guide Package as part of the course tuition. The Instructor Guide package includes the Instructor Techniques textbook, course outline, lesson plans, the course manual, and detailed instructions on how to set up and run the course in-house for your agency. The course culminates in both a written and a practical exam. The practical exam is a demonstration lesson during which the instructors-in-training prepare and teach a lesson drawn from the course during a teleconference session.
CTO 6th Edition Instructor Online is a blended course, consisting of both the online (access anytime, 24/7) as well as virtual sessions (pre-scheduled via teleconference links). Students must commit to and attend the live sessions which include the demonstration lesson required to successfully complete the course.
Once certified to teach this course, your instructors will be registered in our online community of instructors, created for the Communications Training Officer 6th Edition course. These PSConnect communities give access to discussion boards, information exchanges, contacts with APCO Institute staff, and all Institute course teaching resources, including the companion PowerPoint, audio-visual resources, optional readings, study packages, puzzles, and games.
The CTO 6th Edition Instructor Techniques course includes modules on:
- Learning and Learners
- The Role of the Instructor
- Teaching an APCO Course
- Design and Use of Instructional Media
- Teaching Techniques
- Testing and Evaluation
- Liability in Training
- Demonstration Lesson
Upon successful completion of the course, they will be certified as an agency instructor to deliver the CTO 6th Edition course. Your instructors can train either in-house or regionally, reducing your in-service training and travel costs.
CDEs Earned: 40
Recertification Requirements:
APCO Institute certified agency instructors are required to recertify every two years. Complete information on the recertification process is provided at the conclusion of the Communications Training Officer 6th Edition Instructor course. Recertification requires ongoing continuing education and teaching.
Tuition: Payable in U.S. Funds
| Options | Term | Tuition | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Member | Member * | ||
| Co-Host | 5 days | $560 | $510 |
| Online | 6 weeks | $605 | $555 |
| Contract | 5 days | Contact us for pricing | Contact us for pricing |
* You must be a current Associate, Full or Commercial member to receive member discounts on all courses. Online members receive member discounts on online courses only.
** Virtual Classroom Requirements and Expectations
Late fee $25 (applied 10 days prior to course start date)
Tuition includes a comprehensive course manual and all certification fees.
Additional shipping fees may apply for international shipments.
Tuition for live courses does not include travel, lodging, meals or other costs. Online class tuition does not include web access fees or other local internet/web-related costs. Successful students will earn APCO Institute certification.
