Online Professional Development

Our district is exploring being able to offer our teachers the ability to get professional development credit for online courses that they have participated in. Hours accepted at the district level then can go towards certification in NY.  We realize the benefits of online learning but have some questions.

Does anyone out there have a procedure in place to accept online learning as professional development?

Other questions:

• What types of online learning qualities for professional development? (webinars, courses, #chats...)  Would they have to be sponsored by an accredited educational institute? How would completion be determined? (a product handed in or certificate?)
• At what rate do you give credit?  One hour = one hour of PD?  What if it is a 45 hour online course? Would it be treated like a college course # hours = certain # of credits?

Thanks for any information you can add!

Dodie