5 Advantages of Online Professional Development for Teachers
The number of teachers who participate in online professional development is rising at a faster rate than any other time in history. Today, prospective teachers can take full online degrees for certification, whether it is to obtain a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree. Practicing educators can take online professional development for various reasons. For example, they can add new certifications to their teaching certificates, move up the pay scale, or simply learn something new to take into their classrooms. The same ideals that make 21st-century teaching and learning engaging to students are quite often the same reasons online learning is appealing to teachers.
Although many educators and administrators remain conflicted about online learning, blended learning, and in-person options, there are often many advantages for teachers who would like to take professional development courses online.
The Top Five Benefits of Online Professional Development
Technology Opens up New Learning Doors
One of the most obvious benefits of online professional development is the opportunity teachers get to learn outside of their school district. As our world continues to become closer, teachers have the chance to learn, connect and work with other educators at a global scale. If teachers want to acquire new content, teaching strategies, or connect with other educators, they can do so through online courses. Also, they can leverage technology to grow their professional learning networks domestically and internationally.
Flexibility
For working adults, physical classroom attendance requirements can cause scheduling conflicts and challenges. Today, many Americans try to maintain a healthy work-life balance. To keep up with professional development needs, requiring teachers to come to a physical location or stay at school late at night can cause significant challenges. In an online class, teachers can work at their own pace, as well as access classes any time of the day from any working technical location. Online learning provides an open schedule, great flexibility and can substantially decrease stress for teachers and their students.
Affordable
Anytime teachers are required to attend a physical location for professional development, the cost can be significant for both teachers and school districts. Online courses are typically more affordable than in-person classes. Technology reduces the cost of delivering professional development in various ways. For example, teachers can save money on gasoline, clothes, books and lower tuition. Districts can save money on renting space, printed materials, furniture, and insurance. Therefore, it is an excellent choice for both parties to consider online professional development courses. Today, educators are looking for cost-effective, engaging, and challenging opportunities that can help them stay competitive, acquire new strategies, and use new techniques that enhance their teaching.
Teachers as Learners
Barbara Kurshan, a Forbes contributor, wrote an article titled: The Teacher as the Learner: Professional Development for Online and Blended Learning. In this piece, she talks about the importance of teachers learning online, as they soon will be expected to develop technology-based lessons and classes for their students.
Kurshan states, “Some educators erroneously believe that blended learning is merely traditional, face-to-face learning that incorporates digital resources. Similarly, many educators mistakenly assume that online learning should mirror classroom learning. These misconceptions do not allow teachers to leverage the benefits of technology for more effective, engaged learning. Since teachers will continue to be expected to develop technology-based approaches for instructional delivery and assessment, the prevalence of these misconceptions makes it essential to offer professional development for teachers to learn how to teach in virtual environments.”
Engaging and Unique Offerings
Online professional development provides educators with a chance to learn about areas that peak their passion and hold their interests. Also, teachers can discover unique and engaging learning opportunities online because there are countless amounts of courses offered. Today, they can choose to learn from a multitude of content areas. Online learning also provides teachers with the ability to discover innovative methods, find unique resources, and collaborate on strategy. For example, Advancement Courses, an online professional development provider with over 25 years of experience provides cutting-edge services and course offerings. In addition, they partner with top accredited universities. Their courses align with the needs of teachers today-from STEM to technology to mindset and teacher health; they have something for all educators. Also, all of their classes are created by teachers for teachers. They provide facilitators and offer opportunities for teachers to provide feedback to ensure the highest quality offerings and support. Finally, they have various choices so teachers can find a course that is not only applicable, but also fun and rewarding.
The advantages of online teacher professional development for teachers cannot be underestimated. Teachers are busier today more than any other time in history. Online learning can take some of the pressure off when it comes to salary advancement, updating a teaching certificate or simply trying out an online course to learn something new for personal growth.
Advancement Courses: Online Professional Development
I had the chance to find out more about Advancement Courses. Below you will find answers to some unique questions.
What is your most popular course and why?
Some of our most popular courses are the ones that have broad appeal across content areas or grade levels. Courses that tackle teaching from more of a social/emotion angle, or delving into teacher wellness, or providing universally applicable teaching strategies using some of the latest educational theories. Courses like “Staying Present: Mindfulness for Better Teaching and Learning,” “The Growth Mindset: Fostering Resilience and a Love of Learning” or “Stress Reduction for Better Teaching.” Another popular course we have is “Essential Classroom Technology for Teachers.” The course helps teachers employ technology in their classrooms, better engage students with content, and provides an opportunity for teachers to connect with their students.
We have over 200 courses across content areas, so regardless of what type of teacher you may be or what you’re interested in, we have a great selection that will speak to you.
You can check out their course offerings at this link, and be sure to use the coupon below to save 15% to save on over 200+ graduate level professional development courses. Course coupon code: EDNEWS.
What states are your courses approved for at this time?
Right now, we are already a pre-approved provider in 5 places: Texas, NYC, LAUSD, CPS-Chicago Public Schools (Chicago) and Illinois.
Do you plan on expanding to other states in the future?
Although we are specifically pre-approved in a number of places – Texas, NYC, LAUSD, CPS (Chicago) and Illinois – our courses are applicable across the country, and we have teachers in every state taking them for their professional development, relicensing or salary advancement requirements.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Robyn at: info@ednewsdaily.com.
Online Professional Development Offerings: Illinois Professional Development | Texas Professional Development | NYC Professional Development | LAUSD Professional Development | CPS (Chicago Public Schools Professional Development) |
