Top 5 Online Courses to Level Up Your Teaching Skills

 Teachers are continuous learners, and online courses provide an excellent means to consistently develop and evolve with the changing world of education. Listed below are five highly recommended categories of online courses to enhance your teaching skills, spanning important areas:

Online Teaching & Blended Learning Methodologies:

Why it matters: The transition to online and blended learning spaces becomes increasingly prevalent. Online courses in this field empower educators with the pedagogical techniques and technological competence necessary to craft compelling virtual lessons, expertly administer online classrooms, stimulate rich discussions, and measure student achievement in digital environments.

Examples: "Learning to Teach Online" (Coursera/UNSW Sydney), "Excellence in Online Teaching" (Coursera/Johns Hopkins University), "Online education: The foundations of online teaching" (Coursera/Macquarie University).

Integrating Technology and Digital Tools in the Classroom (EdTech):

Why it's important: Technology is no longer an add-on but an essential component of contemporary education. Such courses assist teachers in using a range of educational software, online platforms, and web-based tools to enrich learning, generate engaging content, and promote student participation. This frequently involves training on particular tools such as Google Workspace, Microsoft applications, and learning management systems (LMS).

Examples: "Google Certified Educator Course" (upEducators), "Microsoft Certified Educator Course" (upEducators), "Get Interactive: Practical Teaching with Technology" (Coursera/University of London), "Digital Pedagogy Workshops" (various platforms).

Differentiated Instruction and Inclusive Teaching:

Why it matters: Classrooms are heterogeneous, and great teachers know how to serve the different learning styles, requirements, and backgrounds of all the learners. Classes in this field emphasize teaching strategies for differentiated instruction, special education, creating an inclusive classroom, and dealing with neurodiversity.

Examples: "Inclusive Online Teaching Teach-Out" (Coursera/Johns Hopkins University), "Working with Students with Special Educational Needs" (Alison), classes on "Differentiated Instruction" (multiple platforms).

Foundations of Teaching & Learning / Pedagogical Approaches:

Why it's important: Experienced teachers can also learn from re-examining the fundamentals of effective teaching and discovering new pedagogical strategies. These courses cover learning theory, instructional practice, lesson planning, design of assessments, and classroom management.

Examples: "Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher" (Coursera/Commonwealth Education Trust), courses on "Pedagogical Approaches" or "Learning Theories" (edX, Coursera, FutureLearn).

AI in Education:

Why it matters: Artificial intelligence is changing many sectors at a fast pace, and teaching is not an exception. It is becoming important for innovative teachers to know how to implement AI tools in lesson planning, content development, assessment, and customized learning ethically and as efficiently as possible.

Examples: "Advanced AI for Educators Course" (upEducators), "Innovative Teaching with ChatGPT" (Coursera/Vanderbilt University), "AI in Education" (FutureLearn/University of Warwick).

When choosing a course, take into account:

Your current level and particular objectives: Do you want a starting point or more sophisticated methods?

The institution and platform: Established platforms such as Coursera, edX, FutureLearn, and university extensions tend to have quality content.

Certification and accreditation: If professional development credits or accredited qualifications are a priority.

Course style: Self-study vs. guided, video-based material, interactive activities, etc.