Below we present a number of learning platforms which offer additional online learning resources in English for various competence areas related to teaching and training.
You also find useful resources to improve your teaching competence and to gain new inspirationon on the Italian, German and Lithuanian pages of this site.
Alison: A Collection of different providers of free courses on one homepage. Direct links to the providers. Some courses can be modularly combined to a complete seminar.
edX: Collection of different providers of free courses on one homepage. The range of courses includes educational policy, teaching techniques and curriculum development. Modules and entire courses are offered at different levels (basics, planning, application). There are both time-limited courses with a defined beginning and end as well as modules that can be worked on freely.
Coursera: This is a page that lists providers of online courses and provides links to the respective institutions. The main focus is on courses offered by universities all over the world. Approximate processing times for modules and courses as well as access possibilities and requirements are displayed directly.
Education First: The focus is on classroom management, interaction with students with special needs, assessment and evaluation and participation in class. Teaching materials are partly provided free of charge. Participants will receive their EF Teacher Development Certificate if they attend all six one-hour webinars. The six sessions take place twice a year and are completely free of charge (see below for details of the next sessions). The webinars are held in English and participation is open to teachers from around the world. At the end of each session participants will receive their certificate by e-mail.
Annenberg Learner: As part of its mission to promote excellence in teaching in American schools, Annenberg Learner funds and distributes educational video programs – with coordinated online and print materials – for the professional development of K-12 teachers. K-12 educators, students and lifelong learners can access Annenberg’s learning resources on Learner.org free of charge. Colleges and universities must purchase a license to use learning materials in their courses. Please note: Some rights restrictions may limit the availability of some series for this purpose.
Merlot: MERLOT is a program of the California State University System partnering with education institutions, professional societies, and industry. The MERLOT system provides access to curated online learning and support materials and content creation tools, led by an international community of educators, learners and researchers. Free online courses and webinars.
MIT OCW: This platform offers a wide range of courses. In the area of education, Curriculum development and Teaching, Education Policy, Education Technology, Higher Education are particularly in focus. MIT is an experienced pioneer in university education with MOOCs. Possibility to work on single modules.
Microsoft Education: The use of Microsoft products in a teaching/learning context are central components of the continuing education program. Most of the individual modules and tutorials are offered online. In addition to the use of hardware in teaching, learning applications (APPs) and their transfer to the classroom are also presented. In addition, extensive resources are made available in PDF format. Microsoft offers the possibility to join a peer community via the platform. Free online and offline courses. Modulewise online learning.
Apple Teacher: The use of Apple products in a teaching/learning context is a central component of the continuing education program. Most of the individual modules and tutorials are offered online. Individual events also take place at Apple partners (Apple Stores) in the form of face-to-face events. In addition to the use of hardware in the classroom, learning applications (APPs) and their transfer to the classroom are also presented. Self-test new skills by taking interactive quizzes.
Google for Education: Teacher trainings how to use google products for teaching.
Edutopia: The Foundation is dedicated to transforming K-12 education so that all students can acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed for their studies, careers and adult lives. Founded by filmmaker George Lucas in 1991, the Foundation takes a strategic approach to improving K-12 education through two distinct areas of focus: Edutopia and Lucas Educational Research. Free online courses are offered on the platform, as well as 100 supporting videos and other teaching materials.
Train.com: This platform provides free online information and inspiration to teachers, trainers and assessors in Vocational Education and Training who are engaged in developing or redesigning programs with a view to (a stronger) competency orientation.
FutureLearn offers you a powerful new way to learn online. Every course has been designed according to principles of effective learning, through storytelling, discussion, visible learning, and using community support to celebrate progress. Each partner university has designed a complete learning experience, presented by leading academics in their field. Rather than broadcast long classroom lectures, ideas are introduced via high quality videos and articles.
OpenLearn: Open.edu is a platform which offers free online courses in various disciplines. Selected courses offer the opportunity to purchase badges and receive certificates of participation. There are 3 levels on offer: Level 1 Introductory, Level 2 Intermediate and Level 3 Advanced.
MOOC-Ed is a project of the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at NC State College of Education. MOOC-Ed courses focus on authentic, project-based learning, collaboration and collegial learning, rather than the tests and grades required in other MOOC types. Because there is no fixed path or curriculum that everyone will follow, learning is self-directed.
Saylor.org: Saylor Academy is a non-profit initiative working since 2008 to offer free and open online courses to all who want to learn. We offer nearly 100 full-length courses at the college and professional levels, each of which is available right now — at your pace, on your schedule, and free of cost.
Canvas: The mission of Canvas is to promote Openness, Innovation, and Experimentation in education by providing educators access to professional development courses and programs that will help them thrive and succeed in their careers.
Specific resources relating to the development of teaching and training competencies of work-based learning and apprenticeship training
WBL Toolkit: Work Based Learning Toolkit: The Work-based Learning TOOLKIT provides a single platform for the promotion of identified products, approaches and tools in addition to confirming the reach, users, benefits and state-of-play of work-based learning in Europe.The TOOLKIT is one of the core outputs of the Network Work Based Learning and Apprenticeships known as NetWBL. More information: http://www.net-wbl.eu/
TTT4WBL: Testing New Approaches to Training VET and Workplace Tutors for Work Based Learning. This Erasmus+ project was initiated by the Baltic Alliance for Apprenticeships (BAfA). The project developed a sample training program for in-company and vocational education and training (VET) institutions’ trainers. The project innovation is the tandem training approach with an added value – sharing and co-creation of knowledge based on the expertise of participants with different professional background in VET institutions and companies.
jamk.fi: Does the Tandem Approach work? Research on the experimentation testing the professional development model for tutors in work-based learning in the Baltic countries, edited by Leena Kaikkonen & Irmeli Maunonen-Eskelinen.
Specific resources relating to the development of teaching and training competencies for the digitalized work processes and learning environments
Taccle AI.eu: The European project ‘Improving the Skills and Competences of VET teachers and trainers in the age of Artificial Intelligence seeks to support VET teachers and trainers in extending and adapting open curriculum models for incorporating AI in vocational education and training. A Toolkit and an Open Massive Open Online Course in AI in education in English and German, open to all teachers and trainers in VET in Europe was developed, freely available for professional development.
VET 4.0: In the project VET 4.0 five learning modules for VET teachers and trainers in the fields of electronics and mechatronics have been developed. Functionally they are related to the learning modules for VET students. Furthermore there a competence framework and online modules for students are provided.
Change for Industry: Industry 4.0 CHAlleNGE: Empowering Metalworkers For Smart Factories Of The Future (4CHANGE). The project focused on skills gaps of metalworkers by addressing the following objectives: to design and deliver a new targeted VET programme based on the current and future skills demand in the metalworking sector, and to develop a self-adaptive work-based learning system in combination with coaching. A course and training materials are provided for free download.