7 Free Online Courses in June

Can you feel the summer break? If yes, you’re lucky! If not, well, welcome to the no-summer-break-for-me team! Still, summer evenings are pleasant enough so that you can think about your development regardless of your status. That’s why I’ve got a nice batch of free online courses that you can take up if you want to broaden your mind or simply meet new teaching buddies. Just pick one of the following options:

The Online Educator: People and Pedagogy by the Open University

Start: now
Duration: 4 weeks
For whom: involved in online education or training
You will learn:

• how to reflect on your existing digital identity and plan for its future development
• how to explore ways of shaping a digital identity as an online educator
• about the relationship between technology, content, people and pedagogy in online courses

Teaching Languages in Primary Schools: Putting Research into Practice by the University of Southampton

Start: now
Duration: 3 weeks
For whom: primary school teachers who teach children foreign languages
You will learn:

• how to discuss empirical evidence regarding young language learner motivation, progression and literacy learning
• how to evaluate language learning resources and practice against language learning theory and evidence
• about the importance of classroom and teacher factors in young learners’ progression and outcomes

World Class Maths: Asian Teaching Methods by the Macmillan Education

Start: now
Duration: 4 weeks
For whom: primary school teachers, school administrators, education policy makers and parents with children at primary school
You will learn:

• about several prominent teaching methods from Asian education systems
• about the established principles from Singapore teaching methods, including Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract and the Model Method
• about the role of professional development in Maths teaching

Educational Leadership: Working for Good by the University of Manchester

Start: now
Duration: 3 weeks
For whom: aspiring and existing leaders in education, including teachers and managers
You will learn:

• how leadership knowledge is generated and passed on by critically engaging with knowledge useful for their practice
• how to evaluate leadership challenges and opportunities typical of de-regulated international educational space
• how to interpret education policy from a leadership perspective by engaging critically with the material

Childhood Adversity: The Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Mental Health by UCL (University College London)

Start: 7th June 2021
Duration: 3 weeks
For whom: anyone who has an interest in learning about the impact of childhood abuse and neglect on mental wellbeing, as well as child development and psychopathology
You will learn:

• how to reflect on how childhood maltreatment may impact on a child’s beliefs and behaviour towards others
• how to evaluate how childhood maltreatment may negatively impact on learning success and social development in school and how alternative provision can support young people.
• how to investigate how childhood maltreatment may change neurobiology and behaviour as a way to adapt to a hostile and unpredictable environment

Communicating across Cultures by the British Council

Start: now
Duration: 3 weeks
For whom: anyone who would like to improve their intercultural competence as they build or advance their careers
You will learn:

• how to apply an intercultural mindset to communicate flexibly and sensitively in a range of multicultural and multilingual situations
• how to evaluate new and familiar cultural situations with an understanding of how others might react to your preferences and behaviour, enabling you to respond positively and empathetically
• how to engage confidently and effectively with challenging intercultural situations

Understanding ADHD: Current Research and Practice by King’s College London

Start: now
Duration: 4 weeks
For whom: anyone working with children and adults with ADHD
You will learn:

• about core principles, tools and techniques used in the screening and diagnosis of ADHD, and the factors that may impact on the accuracy of a diagnosis
• how to identify resources and relevant support services for those living with ADHD
• how to evaluate practical strategies to support the educational and personal development of those living with ADHD

I hope you’ll have a lot of fun during your summer break. Enjoy!