When looking for ways to enhance your CPD experience as a teacher, it can be difficult to know where to begin – especially when you’re after free or cost-effective resources. You only have to Google ‘teaching CPD’ to be inundated by pages of expensive courses, resources and training.
Luckily, there are lots of easily accessible and free tools you can use to develop your teaching career, all of which can be easily incorporated into your busy school-day routine.
1. Social media
Although you may not think it, social media is arguably the most up-and-coming free CPD resource. With advice and online chats to take part in, social media can be a really positive space for teachers around the world to come together and share their ideas. From teaching tips to motivational advice, it’s a great space to bond with other like-minded professionals.
Wondering where to start? Check out our top 10 educational accounts to follow on Twitter.
2. Blogs
Bloggers offer a unique insight into how other teachers are developing their teaching practice.
For example, if you’re looking to implement EdTech into your classroom, Alice Keeler’s Google-certified blog and Mr P’s ICT Blog have lots of hands-on advice.
Have a look at Class Teaching, The Confident Teacher and Primary Rocks for more general educational discussions, news and resources.
3. Podcasts
Whether it’s listening to them during a hectic early-morning dash to the classroom or while you go for a run, podcasts are a great way to bring education into your busy routine. Best of all, the majority of podcasts are absolutely free, making them an essential CPD resource.
To get started, have a listen to Mr Barton Maths Podcast and The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast.
4. TED Talks
TED Talks are a fantastic way to broaden your knowledge of the educational landscape, with talks covering current hot topics, debates and ideas for the future of teaching.
Some of our favourite talks include ‘Education. War. Peace’ by James Dooley and a fascinating insight into virtual science labs by Michael Bodekaer. Check out our blog for more talks to get started!
5. Free CPD-accredited courses
Not all CPD courses are expensive – there are also lots of free, CPD-accredited courses to be found. Open Learning have a variety of free courses which are perfect for teachers, including ‘Accessibility of eLearning’ and ‘Introduction to Child Psychology’.
Bring your teaching to life with Doodle, the award-winning programmes for ages 4-14! Filled with thousands of interactive exercises, all of the Doodle apps explore the curriculum and consolidate pupils’ knowledge, boosting their confidence in maths and English.