"According to the document, a high-quality online teacher should meet the teaching standards for his or her state; have appropriate academic credentials and the prerequisite technology skills to teach online; demonstrate the ability to incorporate strategies that encourage active learning and interaction; provide leadership in a manner that promotes regular student success; have experienced online learning from the perspective of the student; and understand and be responsive to students with special needs.

With these standards in place, SREB hopes more students will have the opportunity to take high-quality courses online--"[regardless] of where they live," said Bill Thomas, the group's director of educational technology.

Successfully teaching a course online requires special skills and considerations, Thomas said: "There are aspects of online teaching that are dramatically different than conventional classrooms. You could be a great physics teacher, but a horrible online physics teacher, if you aren't able to manage your time or your students very well."

In a conventional classroom, teachers are able to see the faces and reactions of students to what they are teaching. But in an online setting, the only feedback or cues teachers will receive are eMail or text messages. This can pose a significant challenge for teachers, because not all students are able to express themselves equally well through writing. "