Free Online Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators

Welcome to our Early Childhood Professional Development

We specicalise in early childhood teacher technology professional development. 

The benefits of our early childhood professional development include:

Involve teachers in setting their own PD agenda and training

As an Academy member, you will have instant access to over 70 + online pd for early childhood educators giving you the choice to choose what you want and when you want to do it.

Occurs in the teacher work environment

All the online PD for early childhood educators are designed and developed to be implemented in the learning environment. They encompass practices and educational theories that support your own curriculum and practices.

Self-paced

There is no rush as we know early childhood teachers are busy and time short. Take your time to learn at your own pace when you can.

Variety of formats

As an Academy member, you will notice that our teacher technology professional development encompasses:

• 10+ hour online PD for early childhood educators (Certificate of Completion)
• 3+ hour online PD for early childhood teachers (preschool technology lesson plans & certificate of completion)
• Webinar recordings of Tech in EC experts.
• eBooks based on online professional development for early childhood teachers
• Digital play-based and technology integrated lesson plans built in with early childhood learning goals.

As an Academy member, ALL online training for early childhood educators is FREE!

Here is your recommended learning journey as an Academy member:

Step 1 Create an account by joining this Free Online Workshop

How to Successfully Integrate Technology in Preschool Activities

You will learn how to successfully start the process of technology integration in early childhood education by understanding and applying research-based strategies. Gain the expertise you need in order to make an impact on child learning with technology today.

This is an online PD for early childhood teachers such as preschool, kindergarten, childcare educators and early primary teachers and practitioners.

Have you ever thought about these questions? I'll answer them for you...

• What are the key theories underpinning young children learning with technology?

• What is technology in early childhood education?

• What is technology integration in early childhood education?

• What are the basic computers skills for kindergarten, preschool and other early childhood education?

• How to teach technology to kindergarten, preschool and early primary?

• How to use technology in preschool classrooms? How to use technology in the kindergarten classroom?

• Why is planning important in early childhood education? (from a technological perspective)

• How does technology affect early childhood education? What is the importance of technology in early childhood education?

• How to encourage teachers to use technology in the classroom?

Subscribe to our Technology in Early Childhood Education newsletter today!

"Excellent. I really enjoyed this course" - Dora

"The course is really important to education. It narrows the importance of technology for preschoolers." - Bukola

"Thank you. This was a very informative course." - Saima

SUBSCRIBE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THIS COURSE TODAY - PLUS WEEKLY, PRACTICAL ADVICE!

Step 2 Gain instant access to our Free Early Childhood teacher professional development

Free Online Training for Early Childhood Educators

The following online PD for early childhood educators is free as an Academy member. Pay NO enrolment fees.

Digital play in the early years is significant as it will lay the foundation for digital capabilities in a child's social life and also because it will help prepare children for their life in Primary education.

WITH OVER 70+ EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER TECHNOLOGY PD TO CHOOSE FROM, HERE ARE A FEW THAT YOU WILL LEARN FROM.

How to support Play-based Learning in Early Childhood Education with Digital Technology?

• Price: Free as an Academy member!

You will learn how to support play-based learning in early childhood education with digital technology that will respond to a child's capabilities and learning needs. This course is NOT about understanding digital play research but IS about providing you with the 'practical and immediately actionable" strategies and steps that you can APPLY today and which are derived from the current research on digital play in the early years.

Learning Outcomes:

• Overcome barriers to play-based learning
• Understand digital play in the early years
• Apply digital storytelling to promote literacy
• Promote learning without failure
• Support outdoor play with digital technologies
• Plan effectively for play-based learning
• Link HITS to play-based learning
• Facilitate play-based pedagogy in early childhood learning environments
• Observe and assess digital play-based learning
• Reflect on your experience and make the appropriate changes for the future.

Aligned with the EYLF and EYFS

Aligned with APST 2.4.2 & 3.4.6

10 hours of Elective PD 

Harness Technology in Early Childhood Education Today

• Price: Free as an Academy member

This online PD for early childhood educators and carers delivers practical and immediately actionable advice on how to plan, teach and assess technology integration in the early learning environment. You will learn the expertise you need in order to lay the foundations for technological literacy and ICT capability in meaningful subject-related contexts. 

Learning Outcomes:

• Conduct a thorough analysis of the situation so that you can effectively plan your educational path
• Embed methods of observation and assessment that will inform your planning in technology integration and enable you to pass on meaningful information in transition statements
• Select developmentally appropriate ICT tools for learning so that each one will make a positive impact in child learning and empower young children in their technological surroundings
• Employ sound instructional decisions that will further enable you to respond to their technology skills, abilities, knowledge and interest
• Implement STEM activities that incorporate and develop technological capabilities in numeracy and science learning.
• Creatively encourage the use of technology through timely intervention and demonstration of ICT skills
• Implement a Universal framework for Inclusion with Technology with everyday strategies that will enable all children to learn
• Feel empowered in your capabilities in ICT by gaining the expertise you need to make a difference and building on your own capacity as an ECE practitioner

11 hours of PD addressing 2.6.2, 3.4.2, 3.2.2, 4.5.2 and 5.1.2.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING?

Technology and Language Development in Early Childhood Education: Where to Start?

• Price: Free as an Academy member

You will learn how to provide a rich language early childhood learning environment by maximising the available technology at your school or centre and by making sound instructional decisions that support the development literacy, language and communication in young children.

• Embedded with language lesson plans for preschoolers
• 3 Hours of CPD
• Certificate of Completion
• APST 3.4.2

Intentional Teaching Strategies in Early Childhood Education

• Price: Free as an Academy member

You will learn how to build on the home technology experiences of young children in your care by making sound instructional decisions that will support children's ICT capability and ICT literacy along with providing opportunities to use ICT as a tool to support their learning and by applying in lessons today intentional teaching practices.

Learning Outcomes:

Section 1:

• Understand early childhood pedagogies in ICT
• Teach technology to preschoolers
• Apply intentional teaching strategies for digital play-based learning.
• 10 ways that you can use assessment to inform your teaching strategies
• Technology skills for Preschool
• Applying examples of metacognitve strategies in the classroom
• How to structure and stimulate learning
• Scaffolding children's ICT learning
• Differentiated instruction with technology
• Strategies to build a child's capabilities in technology
• How to teach basic computer skills in ECE
• How to teach

3 hours of CPD - Australian Professional Standards for Early Childhood Teachers 2.6.2

Planning and Implementing Learning Through Play

• Price: Free as an Academy member

You will learn how to effectively plan for digital play-based learning by applying sound instructional decisions in your early childhood learning environment that will ensure that digital technology is viewed as a tool to enhance and support teaching and learning. Thread the digital technologies into the early learning goals and early play experiences to improve the quality and effectiveness of learning today.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand why planning is important in ECE
• Develop an understanding of ICT resources
• Apply early learning goals with digital resources
• Promote progression in capabilities
• Inform your planning by understanding relationships
• Plan to challenge children with digital resources
• Plan digital storytellling
• Consider appropriate uses of digital resources
• Match digital resources to intended learning.

Observation Techniques in Early Childhood Education with Digital Play

• Price: Free as an Academy member

You will learn an integrated system of assessment that will make it easier for you to make judgements about the conceptual and procedural technological knowledge of young children. Gain additional expertise in observation that will take you beyond just commenting on whether a child had completed technological work in transition statements.

Learning Outcomes:

• Plan for progression and continuity
• Monitor and intervene at the appropriate times
• Involve parents assessment
• Document ICT learning
• Provide feedback to children

2 hour of Online PD with a Certificate of Completion 

Digital Storytelling in Early Childhood Education

• Price: Free as an Academy member

You will learn how to maximise the benefits of digital storytelling in early childhood education by applying key teaching strategies that will build upon children's literacy learning today.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Benefits of digital storytelling for children
• How to use storytelling in the classroom
• Digital storytelling and Literacy in ECE
• Enabling a sense of self
• What is your role as an educator in digital storytelling?
• Characteristics of the Digital storytelling setting
• Multimodal literacy
• How digital storytelling supports learner characteristics and teaching strategies to apply
• Assessing digital storytelling

Nurturing Creativity in Early Childhood Education with Drawing and Painting programs

• Price: Free as an Academy member

You will learn how to implement open-minded and meaningful ICT experiences that support your pedagogy and understanding by exploring creative opportunities in your learning environment and developing a hands-on learning approach.

• Creative preschool lesson plans with ICT in ECE
• Aligned with EYLF and EYFS
• Certificate of Completion
• Supported by educational theories
• 2 hour Online PD addressing APST 2.6.2 and 3.4.2.

High Impact Teaching Strategies

Science and Technology in Early Childhood Education

• Price: Free as an Academy member

You will learn how to successfully integrate technology in early science lessons by applying key strategies and selecting developmentally appropriate tools and resources that meet the learning and development needs.

2 hour of PD addressing 2.6.2 and 3.4.2 of APST 

How to Enhance Mathematics in Early Childhood Education with Technology?

• Price: Free as an Academy member

You will learn how to successfully integrate digital technology to facilitate and enhance the learning of mathematics by applying sound instructional strategies in your early learning environment today.

What you will learn:

• The relationship between ICT and numeracy.
• Planning a maths lesson when ICT is involved.
• Scaffolding in early childhood learning environments
• Teacher knowledge of ICT tools.
• Developing digital literacy.
• Choosing DAP technology.
• Whole class teaching.
• Using computers and other digital technologies.

2 Hours of CPD

Technology and Resilience in ECE

You will learn how to build resilience in your early childhood practice when integrating ICT when you listen to this key expert about the steps that you can take today.

Presented by Dr Kate Highfield

Simple Robotics: Tools to Facilitate Play and Learning in STEM in ECE

You will learn about applying simple robotic toys to learning and development with this ECE expert in this webinar replay today.

Presented by Dr Kate Highfield

How to Reap the Benefit of Technology in ECE

You will learn how to establish a collaborative approach to technology integration by setting goals, anticipating challenges and incorporating tools for learning and play today.

Presented by Brian Puerling

Technology Integration in Early Childhood - Reflections on what matters most

You will learn how to become screen-wise and differentiate learning by keeping technology essential and setting goals to enhance family engagement to help overcome barriers and to establish strong relationships. 

Presented by Dr. Chip Donohue

Why join our online training for early childhood educators?

Many people have taken part in our online training for early childhood educators by completing our teacher technology professional development. 

If you enrol in one of our online PD for early childhood educators as a stand-alone course, you will receive lifetime access to the course. CPD for teachers is very important and by returning to each course you will be able to continue to gain access to new course content and resources.

The Importance of Continuous Technology Professional Development for Teachers

Introduction

In today's rapidly evolving world, technology is transforming the way we live, work, and learn. For teachers, keeping up with these changes is essential to providing a relevant and engaging education for their students. Continuous professional development in technology is no longer a luxury; it has become a necessity.

In this article, we will explore the importance of ongoing early childhood teacher technology professional development for teachers. We will dive into the benefits it brings to both educators and students, as well as the challenges that can arise when technology skills fall behind. From staying up-to-date with the latest digital tools to developing innovative teaching strategies, continuous professional development in technology empowers teachers to stay ahead of the curve.

By embracing technology and honing their digital skills, teachers can create dynamic and interactive learning experiences that capture students' attention and enhance their understanding of complex concepts. Additionally, continuous professional development in technology enables teachers to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity among their students – crucial skills for success in the modern world.

Join us as we delve into the world of continuous technology professional development for teachers and discover how it paves the way for a brighter and more connected future in education.

The benefits of continuous professional development for teachers

Continuous professional development in technology brings a multitude of benefits to educators and students alike. Firstly, it allows teachers to stay up-to-date with the latest digital tools and platforms, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to leverage technology effectively in the classroom. By staying ahead of the curve, teachers can select and integrate the most suitable technological resources into their teaching practices, enhancing the learning experience for their students.

Moreover, continuous professional development in technology provides teachers with the opportunity to develop innovative teaching strategies that leverage the power of emerging technologies. By exploring new pedagogical approaches and incorporating technology into their lessons, educators can create dynamic and interactive learning experiences that captivate students' attention and foster a deep understanding of complex concepts. The use of technology also opens doors for personalized learning, allowing teachers to tailor their instruction to meet individual students' needs and interests.

In addition to enhancing teaching practices, continuous professional development in technology empowers teachers to foster essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity among their students. By integrating technology into their lessons, educators encourage students to think critically, solve problems, and analyze information in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Collaborative learning experiences facilitated by technology enable students to work together, share ideas, and develop vital teamwork skills. Furthermore, technology provides a canvas for creativity, allowing students to express themselves through multimedia projects, digital storytelling, and artistic endeavors.

Integrating technology into the Curriculum

Integrating technology into the curriculum requires careful planning and implementation. Teachers must ensure that technology is used purposefully and effectively to support learning outcomes. Continuous professional development in technology equips teachers with the knowledge and skills to navigate this integration process successfully.

When integrating technology into the curriculum, teachers should start by identifying the learning goals and objectives they aim to achieve. By aligning technology use with these goals, educators can select appropriate digital tools and resources that enhance student learning. For example, if the objective is to develop students' presentation skills, teachers can explore tools such as PowerPoint or Prezi to create engaging visual presentations.

Additionally, teachers should consider the accessibility and inclusivity of the technology they choose to integrate. It is essential to ensure that all students, regardless of their abilities or background, can benefit from technology-enabled learning experiences. Teachers should explore assistive technologies and digital resources that cater to diverse learning needs and provide equal opportunities for all students.

Furthermore, ongoing professional development in technology enables teachers to stay informed about emerging trends and best practices in educational technology. Attending conferences, webinars, and workshops focused on technology integration in education allows educators to connect with experts in the field and gain valuable insights into effective strategies and tools.

Conclusion: Embracing lifelong learning in the technology-driven world of education

As technology continues to shape our world, teachers must embrace lifelong learning and continuously develop their technology skills. Continuous professional development in technology offers numerous benefits, from equipping teachers with the knowledge and skills to enhance their teaching practices to fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity among students.

By integrating technology into the curriculum, teachers can create engaging and interactive learning experiences that prepare students for the challenges of the modern world. However, successful technology integration requires careful planning, alignment with learning objectives, and consideration of accessibility and inclusivity.

As we navigate the technology-driven world of education, let us embrace continuous professional development in technology and stay ahead of the curve. By doing so, we can pave the way for a brighter and more connected future in education.

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The above article provides a comprehensive exploration of the importance of continuous early childhood teacher technology professional development. It emphasizes the benefits it brings to both educators and students, as well as the challenges that can arise when technology skills fall behind. The article also delves into the integration of technology into the curriculum, highlighting the need for purposeful and inclusive implementation. By embracing lifelong learning in the technology-driven world of education, teachers can create dynamic and innovative learning experiences that prepare students for success in the digital age.

Free Early Childhood Teacher Technology Professional Development

The importance of ICT professional development for teachers

Now that we understand the benefits of ICT professional development for teachers, let's delve deeper into why it is crucial for teachers to continually update their skills and knowledge in this rapidly evolving field.

1. Keeping up with technological advancements: Technology is constantly evolving, and new tools and platforms emerge regularly. ICT professional development ensures that educators stay up to date with the latest advancements, allowing them to effectively integrate technology into their teaching practices.

2. Adapting to changing student needs: Today's students are digital natives who are accustomed to using technology in their everyday lives. By participating in ICT professional development, teachers can better understand and meet the needs of their tech-savvy students, ensuring they receive an education that is relevant and engaging.

3. Overcoming the fear of technology: Some educators may feel overwhelmed or intimidated by technology. ICT professional development provides the necessary support and guidance to help teachers overcome their fears and develop confidence in using technology as a powerful educational tool.

4. Addressing equity and access issues: ICT professional development not only equips teachers with the skills to use technology but also helps them address equity and access issues in their classrooms. By utilizing technology, educators can bridge the digital divide and provide equal learning opportunities for all students.

5. Creating a culture of innovation: ICT professional development fosters a culture of innovation within educational institutions. When teachers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to integrate technology effectively, they become catalysts for change, inspiring creativity and experimentation in their classrooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I be charged for access to all of these ECT teaching resources and online workshops?

When you sign up, you will get immediate access to all training. Unless you cancel your subscription, you will then be automatically charged $5.99(AUD) per month. Your nominated payment method will be automatically deducted from once a month. You can cancel your subscription at any time from within your learning dashboard, but as soon as you cancel, you immediately cease to have access to all of your training.

Can I cancel my membership?

Yes. You can cancel your membership yourself at ANY time from inside your own dashboard with no questions asked.

How do I access my training?

The first time you click to purchase your ICT in Education Teacher Academy membership, you will need to sign up and create your own login details.  As soon as you have paid your first $50 you will have full access.  You will need to log in with your own log in details each time you access your training. It is recommended that you save the ICT in Education Teacher Academy to your favourites so that it is easy to find next time. 

Do I get access to all of the training immediately, or is it drip-released?

Yes, you do. All training is released at once.

Do I have to become a member to access your training?

No. You can purchase the online courses individually for a one-off fee.

Will my monthly membership fee increase?

Not if you stay a member. Although the membership price does increase every year to reflect the huge additions of courses to the member's area, all existing members maintain their access at the same price FOR LIFE (as long as you don't cancel), and the price increases will only apply to new subscribers. If you cancel, you are then considered a 'new' member again and if the price has increased, your monthly membership fee will reflect the most up-to-date pricing. If you do not cancel, your monthly membership fee will be honoured for as long as you maintain the payments and include all future upgrades at no extra costs.

Will I get new courses and content?

Yes. All members will have new courses and content automatically added to their member dashboard at no extra cost to their monthly subscription.  New courses are not released monthly, however.