Teacher Preparation

Deal of the Day: Teacher Prep?

By Liana Loewus — September 15, 2011 1 min read
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I’m a few days late on this, so the offer has already expired, but ... Groupon in Chicago was offering a 57 percent discount on a teacher prep course. For $950, aspiring teachers could take a 10-week class at National Louis University entitled “Introduction to the Profession and the Craft of Teaching.” According to NLU’s website, the class covers “trends and debates in the teaching profession” and “how the k-12 sector works,” as well as includes 15 hours of field experience. Participants who pass the class and are admitted to NLU’s master’s in teaching program can put the three credits toward their degree.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the course was specially designed for Groupon purchasers. It’s the first time an “academic university has used the website as an effort to boost student interest,” Groupon’s communications director told the Tribune.

To me, this is one of the more bizarre Groupon deals. Is offering a discount online the best way to attract new teachers? Plenty of reputable restaurants and salons have offered deals through Groupon, so associating with the company shouldn’t seem to inherently cheapen the value of the goods. But is it any different when it’s a profession being sold? How do established teachers feel about this? And does the price—down from $2,232—seem right? (At least the 18 people who bought it thought so.)

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A version of this news article first appeared in the Teaching Now blog.