Top 5 Free Professional Development Resources for Teachers

Teach Spelling Mastery is a free online professional learning module by Good to Great Schools Australia (GGSA) designed for teachers and teachers assistants delivering Spelling Mastery. This 12-lesson module provides comprehensive training on how to implement Spelling Mastery effectively, using Direct Instruction (DI) techniques.  

Key techniques and practices covered in this module include: 

• Using the program materials 

• Teaching routines 

• Signalling, active monitoring and correcting errors

• Independent work and assessments 

At the end of this free professional development course for teachers, you’ll engage in a two-stage assessment process: a test covering the knowledge and skills taught in the lessons, and a mastery evaluation in delivering these skills in a classroom setting. If you complete the online training and tests successfully, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion, and for passing the video mastery evaluation, you’ll be awarded a Certificate of Mastery. 

You’ll become skilled in setting learning goals using instructional program scope and sequence charts, implementing lesson sequences with fidelity, selecting effective teaching strategies, and using teaching resources aligned with core programs.  

The “Build Positive High-Expectations School Communities” module by GGSA is a teacher professional learning course that gives you the tools to cultivate a high-expectations culture in your school, encouraging positive behaviour and community engagement. It emphasises the importance of social and emotional learning to develop prosocial behaviours and self-regulation. 

Key learning intents include: 

• Understanding the necessity for a high-expectations, no-excuses approach 

• Communicating the need for change to school leaders and teaching faculty 

• Applying a schoolwide behaviour plan 

You’ll explore the values and behaviours consistent with positive high-expectations models and effective strategies for partnering with parents, families, and the wider community to support student success. You’ll also gain skills in communicating student progress in learning and behaviour to stakeholders, and learn methods for celebrating success, addressing underperformance, and challenging complacency.

This approach is supported by the integration of Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) for socio-emotional learning, and the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS) for character development. 

The “Teach Oz-e-Science Foundation to Year 6” module by GGSA is a free professional learning course for teachers and assistant teachers delivering the Oz-e-science curriculum program. Completing this course is a prerequisite for implementing Oz-e-science in the classroom. The course emphasises explicit, teacher-led instruction combined with scientific inquiry. 

The course includes 14 comprehensive lessons covering techniques and practices including: 

• Classroom Setup 

• Positive Motivation Strategies 

• Teaching Routines 

• Signal Response 

• Behavioural Standards 

The Oz-e-science program engages students in scientific inquiry by teaching them the scientific method and applying it to practical research activities and simulations. The learning approach here is explicit instruction, ensuring students grasp the content thoroughly before moving on to more complex applications. 

This professional development course culminates in a three-stage assessment process: a test of knowledge and skills, practical application in practising the learned skills, and a mastery evaluation involving real classroom delivery. You’ll receive a Certificate of Completion after completing the online training, a Certification of Participation for passing the video appraisal, and a Certificate of Achievement for the video mastery evaluation. For more detailed information, visit the Oz-e-science guide. 

The “Administer Program Assessments” module by GGSA is an in-depth practice module designed for educators delivering any Direct Instruction program. This free teacher development module focuses on the critical aspects of delivering program assessments with fidelity, addressing the barriers to proper administration and providing strategies to overcome these barriers. 

Key techniques and practices covered in this module include: 

• Teaching Setup 

• Routine Teaching 

• Signal Responses 

• Engagement Techniques 

You’ll learn the specifics of setting learning goals for direct instruction groups, using scaffolding through error correction, and implementing remedies and retesting to ensure these goals are met. The training outcome is to understand and demonstrate mastery of basic direct and explicit instruction techniques. 

The course includes four detailed lessons and follows a two-stage assessment process: a test covering the knowledge and skills taught in the lessons, and an observation of practical delivery with students. By the end, you’ll understand the components of effective teaching resources, such as the Teacher’s Guide, and communicate the correct use of program components like the Teacher Presentation Book and student workbooks. 

The “Learn Effective Teaching Essentials” module from GGSA is a comprehensive, high-quality professional learning course that will deepen your understanding of how effective teaching practices lead to increased student learning and overall school improvement. 

This free professional development course spans 10 lessons focusing on different aspects of effective teaching. These include:  

• Understanding basic direct and explicit instruction techniques 

• How these techniques help students develop strong literacy and numeracy skills 

• Managing instructional time effectively 

• Diagnosing and remediating academic and behavioural error 
• Communicating direct and explicit instruction techniques to colleagues
  

You’ll learn to implement effective teaching techniques and practices, apply student engagement strategies, and build relationships with parents to support students’ school readiness. By the end, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion, demonstrating that you’re equipped to lead instructional improvement through effective teaching practices.