He was right.

Since then, of course, VCRs have become commonplace--as have parenting videos. But as always Dr. Popkin has his eye on the future (and an appreciation for technology), and in October Active Parenting will score another first: Web-based parenting education.

Making it easy for parents
Active Parenting Today Online Groups have a lot in common with the traditional APT course. Parents will gather, watch video clips, read the book, and discuss. A trained leader will facilitate the course. The difference is that it will all be accomplished from home, over the Internet. Here's how it works:

Parents--a maximum of 20 per class--will sign up. The cost for the entire 6-week course is $59.95 (plus shipping and handling). Each will receive a package containing 3 CD-ROMs, the standard Active Parenting Today Parent's Guide, and instructions on how to take the class. Each week they will visit the APT Online web site and take that week's lesson using a combination of online instruction and the CD-ROMs. Parents do not have to "meet" online at the same time. In fact, what's so great about APT Online Groups is that parents can can access each week's lesson for seven days, 24 hours a day. They can review the lesson as many times within that week as they wish.

This flexibility has obvious advantages for today's busy parents. Not only can they take the class when convenient, they won't have to worry about fighting traffic or finding childcare. The official part of each week's lesson takes about one hour. Reading the chapter in the book takes an additional 30 minutes, and they can spend as much time as they want on the bulletin board.

Parents living outside North America--expatriates and those living on military bases, for example--will also have access to APT Online.

Another plus is the opportunity for couples to take the course together. "Often in 'live' classes, one parent has to stay at home to take care of the children," notes Product Development Manager Rachel Metzger. "With APT Online, they can take the course together, which means they will be making parenting decisions based on the same information."

An exciting new opportunity for leaders
Of course no parenting education program is complete without a leader. For the online program, the leader facilitates discussion on the electronic bulletin board and provides individual feedback to each participant via e-mail.

"We're excited to extend this opportunity to our leaders who may be looking for another outlet for parenting education, or even just looking for some supplementary income," says Dr. Popkin.

Online leaders will be paid on a per-participant basis. There are two rates: $15 per participant recruited by the leader, and $10 per participant recruited by Active Parenting. Once a leader becomes accustomed to how the online course works, the estimated time commitment is two to three hours a week (for six weeks).

The leader's responsibilities are:

* to regularly check the progress of your students
* to stimulate Bulletin Board discussions with questions (suggestions are provided in the Leader's Guide)

Potential online leaders must complete the certification process.

Passing the test
The program is being adapted for online use by Metzger, along with Melissa M. Bachman of the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning at the Georgia Institute of Technology. "We're taking the information straight from the Active Parenting Today program," says Metzger. "It's pretty much the same program--but online."

In September the program is undergoing its final trial run--the "beta test." Beta testers were recruited from among the readers of Active Parenting's online newsletter. The first official online class will begin in late October. For more information about Active Parenting Today Online, contact your educational consultant (800-825-0060) or go to www.activeparenting.com.