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Updated January 6, 2021
Right now an unprecedented situation has griped the country. Teachers are forced to teach online amongst school closures. Budgets everywhere are strained and conferences have likely been cancelled. While seminars and in-person courses are the normal ways for educators to gain professional development, there are tons of alternative online opportunities — and many are free! Here are some stay-at-home professional learning resources that you can check out in your pajamas or in your backyard.
Apple Teacher Program
Apple Teacher is a free professional learning program designed to support and celebrate educators using Apple products for teaching and learning. Learn to “engage students ages 5-18, manage your classroom, and create learning experiences using iPads.”
ASCD’s Free Webinar Series
With a constant stream of new and free content, ASCD free webinars are also archived so you can get your professional development on demand.
ASCD’s Online Professional Development Courses
Choose from over 80 courses on relevant topics facing educators today, and take advantage of a free trial course. After the trial, pay $155 per course.
Education Closet’s Free Online STEAM Workshops
Education Closet is offering free workshops: Each month, view a new 15-20 minute workshop designed for educators and filled with ideas you can take back to the classroom.
ED Week’s Webinars
Ed Week offers both free and paid webinars for educators on a wide range of education topics. Participation certificates are not provided, but live viewers receive a post-event confirmation email.
Free EdWeb Webinars
EdWeb was founded 10 years ago as a free professional learning network that hosts online professional learning communities and engaging edWebinars for educators – anytime, anywhere. They provide a CE Certificate as evidence of participation when you attend a live EdWebinar or view a webinar recording.
Free PBS Media Literacy Courses
KQED Teach offers a collection of free, hands-on, professional learning opportunities focused on digital media. Educators can build skills in digital storytelling, data visualization, and critical media use to support all curriculum areas.
Landmark Outreach’s Online Courses
Landmark Outreach offers 15-hour courses and 3-credit courses on a variety of instructional topics, with more courses continually in development. Register for one of these courses to increase your knowledge and earn PD hours.
NASA’s STEM Professional Development Webinars for Educators
The NASA EPDC is offering free science-based webinars for educators this summer. Examples include: “Engineering Design Challenges for Elementary Educators,” “Math in Search for Life Beyond Earth,” and “Explore Flight: Let’s Go Fly a Kite.”
PBS TeacherLine Professional Development Courses
These online professional development courses range from $250-$400 and cover subjects such as instructional technology, leadership, math, language arts, science, and social studies.
20 (FREE) Online Courses for Teachers
Collection of the top 20 FREE online courses that will help you master the art of teaching online classes. Think of them as a crash course on how to become an online teacher that students rave about – a teacher who’s so interesting that they don’t even think about checking their phones until you say your goodbyes for the day.