7 Free Online Courses in January

I don’t really believe in the whole New Year New Me attitude, but let’s be honest – it’s easier to motivate oneself into doing something in January rather than in April. That’s why I did my best to find some proper teacher-targeted CPD online courses – they are free, online and really helpful!

So, what can you work on this month:

Uncommon Sense Teaching by the Deep Teaching Solutions

Start date: 02/01/2022
Duration: 4 weeks
For whom: people who want to take their teaching to a higher level
You will learn:

• how to assess the diversity in size of learners’ working memory
• how to use the brain’s two major “superhighways” of learning
• how an evolutionary perspective helps us understand why some types of learning are natural and easy, while other forms can be far more difficult

Teacher as investigator: developing awareness of student strengths and needs (K-12) by Understood

Start date: open
Duration: ongoing
For whom: people who want to learn the power of careful observations to make intervention decisions, recognize student strengths, and respond with empathy
You will learn:

• how to recognize that developing awareness of students strengths and needs and responding with empathy are essential for supporting students that learn and think differently
• how to develop observation practices that drive intervention decisions and recognize student strengths
• how to create a plan for implementation of IEPs in their classroom and tracking progress

Understanding Classroom Interaction by PennX

Start date: 02/01/2022
Duration: 5 weeks
For whom: people who want to learn about fundamental concepts and techniques of classroom discourse analysis
You will learn:

• how to recognize question types and their effects on classroom talk
• how to use various types and functions of classroom storytelling
• how to analyse types of class participation and their effects

Global Education for Teachers by the University College London

Start date: 31/01/2022
Duration: 3 weeks
For whom: teachers around the world who want to encourage global citizenship amongst their students and work towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4.7
You will learn:

• how to explore the concept of global education and related terms such as global learning and global citizenship education.
• how to collaborate with peers around the world to develop an awareness of diverse perspectives on, and practices of, global education
• how to assess the range of resources which are available to support educators to incorporate global education in their practice, including guides, learning activities and curriculum planning tools

Professional Development for Early Career Teachers by the University of East Anglia

Start date: open
Duration: 5 weeks
For whom: teachers starting out in their careers, but will be of use to teachers at any stage of their career
You will learn:

• how to develop your understanding and use of reflective practice to review and identify your own professional development needs
• how to develop effective strategies for managing and prioritising workload
• how to reflect on and develop your pedagogical approach to teaching and learning, including providing appropriate challenge and support for your students

Best Practice for Education: Professional Development Showcase by Study Melbourne

Start date: open
Duration: 4 weeks
For whom: teachers looking to develop their knowledge in a suite of different skills and practices
You will learn:

• how to explore new and emerging core teaching practices to facilitate effective learning in a classroom setting
• how to evaluate different teaching practices as solutions to learning needs
• how to apply core teaching practices and create a teaching artefact (e.g. lesson plan)

That’s So Meta(cognitive)! by SmithsonianX

Start date: 02/01/2022
Duration: 2 weeks
For whom: people interested in metacognitive strategies and how they help become more effective learners, able to integrate knowledge
You will learn:

• how to identify and measure different types of knowledge
• how to analyse metacognitive strategies used in teaching and application of these strategies in diverse settings
• how to develop lesson plans for helping students use metacognitive strategies in science

As you can see, the courses I found are really focused on your development!

So, which one will you choose?