Thanks to technology’s e-learning, teachers can now move ahead of the way in providing students with the best outcome.
These free courses for elementary teachers are available in many different subjects, but they are also a unique option for teachers to further their knowledge. Since these courses are online, teachers can accomplish their personal and professional goals while still finding time to teach.
Why Attend Courses? Is It a Must?
Change today follows where technology improves. This holds true for all aspects of learning where online platforms are continually being developed. As educators, fresh ways can restyle or add style to the challenging requirements of young learners today.
Although attending seminars and conferences certainly improves skills, you don’t need to force yourself to become the perfect expert. Instead, simply consider the common threads of what you benefit from teaching courses, how it helps you boost your teaching strategies, and the best possible outcomes you can give your students.
Take a look and let these opportunities equip you with the most feasible tools. There is also no better time to start than right now.
10 Free Courses for Elementary Teachers
“Whether we are dealing with students or lessons, the challenge is to reinforce the learning curve between a classroom and a virtual platform without having a negative impact on the learning process.”
1) Emerging Trends & Technologies in the Virtual K-12 Classroom
Specifically designed for K-12 instructors, this course touches on emerging trends and technologies in fully online environments. Contents are aimed at high school-aged students in the U.S., or ages 13-18 in other countries. You can apply the concepts in a traditional class, higher or adult education.
While most of the examples are US-based, the concepts apply to younger ages. In other words, you will be able to define technology’s support in the virtual environment and advance your skills in using game-based strategies. Skills you will gain include social media. This course is part of the Virtual Teacher Specialization.
Join and enroll in Coursera for this course.
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2) Data Structures & Algorithms
Prepare for coding interviews. Each course provides a specific data structure and algorithm which you will be learning to solve. Master data structures for storing data, apply various methods to employ these data structures and learn how to implement basic algorithms such as searching, data structure sorting, and examining the efficiency of these algorithms.
With 80+ practice problems, you would be able to select and modify algorithms and assess open-ended interview problems. Be an educator adept at graph algorithms, brute-force greedy algorithms, and dynamic programming. By the end of each course, you can already implement a solution based on your design choices.
Contact Udacity.
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3) Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms
Let the study of what makes life most worth living to meet K-12 pedagogy. This course explores key ideas of positive psychology beginning with an exploration of your own strengths and character, what supports the teaching of character, to macro structures creating a plan for teaching character, and making it happen.
Teachers will learn to apply those lessons and maximize student engagement and accomplishment. Meet great educators in action through lectures, discussions, interviews, and footage, and learn how to integrate character-based objectives into your own teaching.
Find this course on Coursera,
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4) Teacher Training Videos With Russel Stannard
Videos for teacher training is a free service provided by teacher Russell Stannard, who is based in the UK. The website is made to show you how to use technology in the classroom, with the motto “Simple Tech Help for Teachers.” Although Stannard has some excellent films on remote teaching, this website has been around for a while and covers a variety of topics. It aims to help instructors become more adept at using the wealth of technological resources at their disposal without becoming overburdened.
Find this course via TTV.
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5) The Teacher’s Social and Emotional Learning
SEL (social and emotional learning) programs have exploded in popularity in schools during the last decade. But despite it being excellent, teachers’ social and emotional learning has received insufficient attention.
In this course, Dan Liston and Randy Testa study and reflect on many emotions in teaching and learning, as well as various rationales for why teacher SEL is necessary. This advanced course is a part of the 5-course Specialization “The Teacher and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).”
It’s free, connect with Coursera now!
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6) Becoming a Better Music Teacher
Music teachers have an important role in improving their student’s ability to sing or play an instrument. So calling all music teachers to get your instrument-specific resources as well as training on how to plan music lessons within a broader syllabus.
Gain more confidence by identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Let this music teacher training course help you assess your current teaching strategies and look at new ways to engage your students and make them feel good during their lessons.
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7) Teacher Tech Tips II–Presentation Tools to Excite & Engage
Upgrade your PowerPoint skills. This class offers you 17 presentation tools! Now you can utilize different presentation tools with ease and provide options for student projects. Choose which presentation apps to use for more excitement about a new unit.
In this course, you will have 3 hours of screencasts (videos) that will show you how to use each free online program. Discover the 4 categories of presentation tools from video, to text presentation programs, to animation, etc., and become more engaging in delivering instruction.
This is a self-paced course at Udemy.
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8) Analytics for the Classroom Teacher
Although teachers are quite experts in data collection and analysis, harnessing the power of data-driven analytics can help you become more reflective in your teaching practice. With technology in education today, educators must be technology literate.
The different modules will teach you how to use teaching analytics so you can analyze your lesson plans and classroom delivery. It will provide you with a better discernment of the factors that affect the performance of your students. It includes the concept of personalization in 21st-century school education that involves maintaining accurate student profiles.
Another self-paced course. Contact edX.
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9) Learn Like a Pro: Science-Based Tools to Become Better at Anything
Disappointing results are part of teaching life. Master how to beat procrastination and distractions. Let metacognition polish up and upgrade the way you focus to make sure you do not easily forget what you have just learned.
In this course, coaches Dr. Barbara Oakley and Olav Schewe are teaching the techniques that can help you master just about any material. You’ll be learning both effective techniques, why, and what makes those techniques effective based on excellent but easy-to-understand neuroscientific research.
Act now at edX.
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10) Coding for Your Classroom 4 – 10
The goal of this asynchronous training is to increase instructors’ familiarity and confidence with digital literacy. Educators will have the resources and abilities they need to introduce coding principles to their children in the 4-9 classroom through hands-on learning activities and demos on a number of web-based platforms.
Other than learning plugged and unplugged coding activities for your 4-9 class, you will become familiar with computational thinking through connected activities and inspire the same in your students through collaborative activities.
Join edX and enroll now!
Here’s a video presenting some practical ideas about making Zoom lessons more student-centered. Watch!
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Frequently Asked Questions
1) How long will each course take?
It depends on the course. Some last for two weeks or more and some courses can be completed at your own pace. While online training platforms typically offer week-long workshops, a two or three-month duration is ideally a lot more effective.
2) Are there necessary equipment required to take these courses?
Since these teacher training sessions are done online, they are all browser-based courses. A laptop or desktop computer with a reliable internet connection will help you complete the course. A headphone or microphone is essential, of course, along with a web camera which may also be needed as you might be required to upload photos of your work throughout the course.
3) Do I need to prepare materials for the courses?
Depending on the subject matter, there will be activities where you will be asked to write the course content or use materials such as cardboard, colored pens, a pair of scissors, or sticks. If the course is all about extensive research, then no materials will be required other than your computer and headset.
4) How do I prepare myself for training?
Attending the training is like joining any class. Know what your chosen course is all about, the location, the school, and of course your possible coaches. Have with you all the contact details, log in, and password. As long as you have the time especially allotted for the course, and you are ready and excited – then you are ready to start.
5) Can I handle the coursework?
Of course, you can handle the coursework. Most schools provide things for their attendees to begin like links for software downloads. If you’re not sure, double-check by contacting their support before buying software.
Read and understand the syllabus. This will give you an idea of what lies ahead, the kind of activities you will be doing, what assignments there will be, and the professor’s expectations. Don’t worry about not perfecting everything. The logic that you know what to expect will help prepare your brain and whole self for the coursework.
6) Can I make friends? How?
Absolutely! It’s expected and it’s important!
Most online courses start with an introduction for the students to get a feel of the course and the class. If you like you can write a short note about yourself and post it on the discussion or bulletin board, email those who have given their e-mail addresses just to say hello.
Friends will make you feel more comfortable in the class. You have people to share thoughts and compare work, research or assignments. An acquaintance may take time but taking advantage of it goes a long way, so don’t be afraid to be friendly. For sure, everyone else wants to meet you too.
7) Do I get a certificate upon completion?
Most online courses offer a certificate of completion. They know it’s an important incentive and motivator for learners to enroll and complete a course.
8) Can I take these courses anywhere in the world?
Yes! Anyone can choose and enroll in these online courses.
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Conclusion
Education’s transition to online learning made it more significant than ever for teachers to advance their skills. As a matter of fact, an online course can prepare you for the highest standards of instruction.
Although new teaching approaches make their way, teachers must keep pace with the sprint of technology. Take advantage of the opportunities that free courses for elementary teachers present and how they can help you become the best teacher.
Have you chosen any courses above? Congrats and Goodluck!
You might know of other free courses for elementary teachers that I missed. How nice if you could share them in the comments.
