Maximize your teaching career with free online development opportunities

In this era of rapid change and technological advancements, it is significant for educators to work on their professional growth. The term “CPD” or “continuous professional development” is widely used to develop teachers continuously, addressing new teaching approaches, pedagogies, resources, ideas, and methods, as well as connections to global practitioners. Due to the pandemic, distance learning has brought many opportunities for professional growth online, offered by highly skilled professionals at no cost.

There are several platforms that provide free workshops, courses, webinars, and seminars with extensive opportunities for teacher professional development. These platforms are well-experienced and reliable, and have been in use since the COVID-19 pandemic began. These dynamic opportunities have connected educators with global practitioners and exposed them to new pedagogies, as well as familiarity with distance learning methods and the positive use of technology. These platforms offer a number of free courses, which are incredibly valuable for 21st century teachers who need continuous professional development to stay updated with new content, curriculum, and approaches.

Here are some of the most reliable platforms for teacher professional development:

1. Coursera: This US-based massive open online course provider offers diverse teacher training courses with highly skilled teachers.
2. British Council: This platform offers free courses, webinars for English education training, and new approaches to learning and addressing the needs of learners worldwide.
3. Alison: This Irish education platform empowers educators by offering free courses in workplace skills, with valuable certificates.
4. edX: This American massive open online course provider, created by Harvard and MIT, offers self-paced, valuable free courses recognized globally.
5. ASCD Webinars Archives: ASCD.org is a free collaboration platform for educators, policymakers, and researchers, consisting of dynamic educators who can learn and build connections to share teaching ideas.
6. RELO Pakistan: The Regional English Language Office in Pakistan offers opportunities for English language teachers through courses, webinars, and workshops.
7. Evolution Igniting Potential: This platform increases the empowerment of youth and professionals through capacity-building training and certificate programs for teacher educators.
8. Global Creative Hub: They empower educators to promote STEM education through their TRDC program’s free training courses for teachers’ CPD.
9. Educationist of Pakistan: This platform provides many valuable opportunities for teacher training courses, workshops, and webinars.
10. OPEN (Online Professional English Network): The US Department of State funds the Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program, which offers free MOOCs, webinars, workshops, and events for the professional development of English language teachers.
11. Oxford University Press ELT: They offer virtual opportunities for ELT, such as training programs, workshops, and free webinars.

The author is an experienced English teacher and Masters in Education student at the University of Karachi.