When you hear “online professional development,” it might bring to mind hours of clicking “Next” without really learning anything. But when you find the right PD as an educator, and actually use it the right way, it can be a total game-changer for your teaching practice.

Online professional development (PD) doesn’t have to be a box to check. When it’s done well, it can help grow your skills, inspire new ideas, and even make your day-to-day in the classroom a little smoother. The key is knowing how to make it work for you. Here’s how to get the most out of your online professional development without wasting your time.

Online Professional Development You Can Do Anywhere, Anytime

Choose the Right Program for You

When it comes to choosing an online professional development program, it may feel a bit overwhelming because let’s face it, there’s no shortage of online programs out there. Since there are so many to choose from, it’s essential to do a quick check to ensure you’re picking the right one for you. Start by looking for programs that a credible organization endorses.

Universities, school districts, or any well-known educational platform can offer them. Next, make sure that the program aligns with your needs. If you’re looking to learn more about classroom management, social-emotional learning, or whatever the case, the program should match what you want to learn. Lastly, find a program that fits with your learning style and allows you to work at your own pace.

Set Clear Goals

The next step is to set clear learning goals for yourself. What do you want to get out of the program? What are you struggling with in the classroom that you think a PD course can help with? How can you apply what you learned in the classroom? Write down your goals and refer back to them often. Not only do they keep you accountable, but they also can help you stay focused and get more out of the experience.

Be Present and Participate

When it comes to online professional development programs, it’s easy to treat them like background noise while you get your chores done or grade papers. But if you really stay present and actively participate in the program, you’ll get so much more out of it.

That’s the point, isn’t it? So instead of just glancing over and watching it from time to time, really try to get engaged. Take notes to help your brain process the information, reflect on how you can use the new information in your own classroom, and participate if there is a discussion board or group chat.

Apply What You Learn

One of the best things you can do with the new information that you learn is to try it out in the classroom. Pick one or two new strategies that you learned and slowly implement them. If your course was about increasing student engagement, then try one technique that you learned one week and another the next.

After you’ve tried both techniques, reflect on what worked and what didn’t. When you see something is working well in your classroom, it will motivate you to keep learning and trying new things.

Collaborate with Colleagues

Taking an online professional development class is so much more fun when you do it with a colleague. Invite someone from your team or school faculty to try the class with you. Then you can talk about what you’ve learned, try new strategies together, or even co-create lessons on what you just learned.

You can take it a step further and lead a short lesson for your other colleagues at your next professional development day. As you know, teaching others not only helps them but also helps you solidify your own understanding of the new information.

Make Time for Professional Development

Most online professional development programs are flexible, so you don’t need to squeeze them in and stay up late to get them over with after a long workday. Treat these classes like you would a meeting or an appointment.

Block off time on your calendar (30 minutes or so) a few times a week. Remember, these classes aren’t about adding another task to your already full to-do list, it’s about taking the time for yourself to learn and grow. So, cozy up on your couch like you’re ready to read a good book, open up your laptop, and dive in.

Keep Track of Your Progress

PD hours can come in handy, whether it’s for recertification, salary advancement, or just your own sense of growth. But beyond the paperwork, it’s helpful to reflect on what you’ve actually learned. Consider keeping a log. List the PD you’ve completed, key takeaways, and any strategies you’ve tried.

Collect all your resources, such as links, handouts, or templates you want to revisit. Lastly, don’t forget to celebrate your wins. If something you learned helped improve your classroom or even just made your job a little easier, that’s worth noting, too.

Professional development shouldn’t feel like busy work. It should feel like something that fuels your fire, helps you feel more capable, or gives you something practical to try on a tough day.

Online PD gives you that flexibility—you can learn from anywhere, at any time, and you can find programs that fit your style and needs. With the right approach, you can turn online PD from a checkbox into something that actually supports and strengthens your practice.

Here are a few teacher-approved platforms to check out:

  • Coursera – Offers university-backed education, including some free options
  • EdWeb – A lot of webinars and educator communities
  • The Modern Classrooms Project – Great for self-paced, real-world strategies
  • PBS TeacherLine – Well-structured courses focused on classroom application
  • SimpleK12 – Bite-sized, teacher-friendly PD

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