Did Someone Say Free Online Professional Development?

In the busy world of teaching, with huge teacher workloads, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for teachers to spend time on their own professional development. However, during school closures, lockdowns and social distancing people are looking ways of killing time and supporting their wellbeing. Dedicating time to your own professional development can majorly support your wellbeing. A number of websites and resources are offering discounted and free webinars and online courses. I thought I would share a few fantastic PD opportunities I have come across.

Future Learn

Future Learn lists a number of short courses covering a whole range of themes including education. Each course is linked to a partner university which has designed a complete learning experience, presented by leading academics in their field. Rather than broadcast long classroom lectures, ideas are introduced via high quality videos and articles which means you can work through the courses at your own pace. You can then discuss what you’ve learned, testing your new knowledge with interactive quizzes that offer helpful responses and the opportunity to try again if an answer is wrong. Every course tells a story, step by step, with challenges and helpful tips along the way, to test and build your understanding.

www.futurelearn.com

Open Learn

www.open.edu/openlearn/

You can choose an OpenLearn course from a wide range of subjects. Some are based on Open University course materials and others are written specifically for OpenLearn.

The courses have been proven to increase confidence and do not have a start or end date meaning you can work at your own pace.

The courses always focus on a specific area of learning. Some focus on important and fascinating academic subjects, whilst others help you develop skills needed for study or work.

On successful completion of our free courses, you will be able to access and download a free statement of participation to add to your CV.

British Sign Language

During this difficult time, as more of us are finding ourselves in self-isolation or spending longer periods at home, BSL would like to provide the opportunity for teachers to use this time to learn British Sign Language.

​The 20hr CPD certified course can be studied at your own pace and is a comprehensive introduction to BSL.

www.british-sign.co.uk/

Teacher Toolkit

Founded in 2008, Ross McGill created a simple Twitter account and started sharing his blog posts and resources. Soon, the demand for his teaching and learning ideas spread rapidly across social media, reaching over 11 million people in every country around the world.

During lockdown, Ross is hosting daily free or inexpensive webinars covering a whole range of themes. Get inspiration from Ross Morrison McGill; sign up for a webinar to access top tips for teaching and learning, research, workload and mental health.

www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/

WAGOLL Teaching Vlogs

Of course I had to include our video resources too!

WAGOLL Teaching is all about sharing great, simple teaching ideas with a global teaching community. Development is all about trying something new, taking risks and sharing great ideas! You may even have some fun along the way!

Working on the principals of marginal gains, WAGOLL Teaching vlogs share simple quick teaching ideas you can take away and implement the next day.

Each video is no longer than 10 minutes meaning you can watch and gain new ideas in short snippets.

www.youtube.com/
​wagollteaching