Online Professional Development Resources
Principles of Learning Design
*Principles of Learning Design is a free, online self-paced professional development resource for formal and informal PK-12 educators consisting of four video modules and accompanying exercises to guide you in planning and developing engaging, hands-on learning activities. Each video provides an overview and strategies for a different aspect of learning design: Identifying Learner Needs (Video 1.2); Maximizing Resources (Video 1.3); Writing Learning Objectives (Video 1.4); and synthesizing each of these aspects to create a great learning activity (Video 1.1).
This free, STEM professional development resource is designed for classroom teachers and informal educators working with students of all ages!
*This professional development series does not currently qualify for PD credit.
Digital Toolkit Guide
The accompanying Digital Toolkit provides self-guided exercises to go along with each video, so that you and your team can start putting these principles into practice!
Use the Digital Toolkit as a companion guide with the videos.
Click the button below to view and download the pdf.
Video 1.1: The Three-Legged Stool
In this video, brought to you by the Idaho STEM Action Center, PD pro Francesca introduces a three-part framework for integrating creative, hands-on projects into your classroom or learning space. This is Part 1 of our four-part series on student-centered learning design.
Video 1.3: Making the Most of Your Resources
In this video, brought to you by the Idaho STEM Action Center, PD pro Francesca shares strategies for dealing with the resource limitations educators often face. This is Part 3 of our four-part series on student-centered learning design.
Video 1.2: Learner Needs
In this video, brought to you by the Idaho STEM Action Center, PD specialist Francesca explores tools you can use to better understand your learners, and create activities that are responsive to their needs. This is Part 2 of our four-part series on student-centered learning design.
Video 1.4: Learning Objectives
In this final video, brought to you by the Idaho STEM AC, PD specialist Francesca breaks down the process of writing effective learning objectives — so that you can align your day-to-day activities with your long-term instructional goals.