7 Free Online Courses in June

I believe you are already thinking about your summer break, aren’t you? And yet here I am with a batch of online courses! Before you shrug off any idea of self-development, take a look at the classes you may take up this summer – and that’s the point, actually: I have picked 7 courses that are not only free but also self-paced, which means you can learn something new whenever you feel like it.

1. Grow Your Training Skills by HubSpot Academy

Start date: self-paced
Duration:  1-2 hours
For whom: teaching staff and education leaders who want to improve their professional practice
You will learn:

• how to create, deliver, and evaluate your training
• how to become an effective and engaging trainer
• about using HubSpot Tools in training

2. Minecraft: Education Edition: Teacher Academy by Microsoft Learn

Start date: self-paced
Duration:  11 hours
For whom: teaching staff and education leaders who want to improve their professional practice
You will learn:

• how Minecraft: Education Edition supports teaching and learning through a game-based interface
• about the in-game features to use as tools for assessment and feedback
• how the game supports learner inquiry and curiosity

The modules are divided into three sections intended for beginner, intermediate, and advanced users. At the end of this learning path, you will become a Minecraft Certified Teacher and receive the badge.

3. 21st century learning design by Microsoft Learn

Start date: self-paced
Duration:  8 hours
For whom: teaching staff and education leaders who want to improve their professional practice
You will learn:

• about the concept of 21st century learning design
• how to design learning activities for learners to develop collaboration skills
• clear and practical ways to develop 21st century skills using digital technologies

4. MIE (Microsoft Innovative Educator) Trainer academy by Microsoft Learn

Start date: self-paced
Duration:  8 hours
For whom: teacher trainers and people responsible for training educators on the integration of technology in the classroom
You will learn:

• an overview of the MIE Trainer program, program details, and the steps for becoming an MIE Trainer or MIE Master trainer
• how Microsoft technologies and resources support student-centered learning based on authentic problems and projects
• how student-centered learning aligns to 21st century skills, NETS-S, and Common Core standards

5. Analytics for the Classroom Teacher by Curtin University

Start date: self-paced
Duration:  6 weeks
For whom: teaching staff who want to use learning analytics from the perspective of a classroom teacher
You will learn:

• how educational data analytics can improve classroom teaching and learning, as well as supporting data-driven decision making at various levels of school operations
• how teaching analytics can be used to analyse your lesson plans
• how you can reflect on your teaching practice by combining insights from both teaching and learning analytics

6. Teacher as Investigator: Developing Awareness of Student Strengths and Needs (K-12) by Understood

Start date: self-paced
Duration:  2-3 hours
For whom: teaching staff and education leaders who want to improve their professional practice
You will learn:

• about key facts about learning and thinking differences and concepts in neuroscience that impact student learning
• 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

7. Best Practice for Education: Professional Development Showcase by Study Melbourne

Start date: self-paced
Duration:  4 weeks
For whom: teaching staff and education leaders who want to improve their professional practice
You will learn:

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

I hope you’ll like the courses I found for you – and if not, there are still some free courses on Coursera, so you can give them a go! Here’s the full list.

Enjoy!