"Top Six Unpaid Digital Learning Certifications"
In the ever-evolving world of education, staying up-to-date with the latest technology is crucial. Here are some top free online professional development opportunities for educators in 2025 that can help enhance edtech competencies:
AI Course for Educators by AI for Education
This self-paced, 2-hour online course is designed to help educators responsibly use AI tools like ChatGPT to boost teaching efficiency, engage students, and save time on lesson planning and administrative tasks. The course offers practical strategies for classroom AI use, ethical guidelines, and a curated prompt library tailored for educators.
Pathfinders Summer Institute 2025 – Creative Coding & Storytelling
A free 40-hour online PD event, this programme is perfect for K–12 educators. It focuses on project-based coding, digital storytelling, and responsible AI integration, with no prior coding experience required. The event emphasises cross-curricular tech-enhanced creativity and collaboration.
Discovery Education’s Free Back-to-School 2025 Resources
This resource offers a wealth of standards-aligned, interactive content. Highlights include TimePod Adventures (AI-assisted, immersive learning missions for K-12) and Virtual Labs developed with LEGO for hands-on science exploration. These resources support technology-driven personalised learning experiences.
Classwork.com Free Tools & AI Resources
This platform offers free access to digital learning platforms with AI-enhanced tutoring and quiz generation from PDFs, as well as free teacher-created interactive activities. These tools promote accessible, innovative edtech implementation.
Screencastify Master Screencaster Certification
This certification course reviews and builds knowledge on the basics of screencasting and using video in education settings. It focuses on creating videos for students and parents, supporting students in creating content, and connecting with colleagues. Upon completion, a certification of completion and a digital badge are earned.
Book Creator Certified Author Training
This training consists of 18 short videos and provides instruction on the features of Book Creator for classroom use. Upon completion, a certificate and digital badge are awarded.
Adobe Creative Educator (ACE) Level 1
This training focuses on understanding and nurturing creativity in students. Completion earns a digital badge and certificate. Registration requires joining the Adobe Education Exchange, which is free. The training covers Apple applications like Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie, and GarageBand.
Canva Graphic Design Essentials
This training focuses on building overall visual communication skills, including design principles and color theory. Completion of the training and corresponding test requires a free or paid Canva account. Upon passing the test, a digital certificate is emailed.
These options cover foundational AI skill-building, coding integration, interactive digital content, and AI-powered teaching tools—all free and accessible online for educators aiming to enhance their edtech competencies in 2025.
For teachers new to technology in the classroom, resources like "3 Tips for Veteran Teachers To Get Comfortable with Classroom Technology" and "Leveraging Technology to Better Engage Learners in Lessons" can provide valuable advice and ideas.
- Teachers can leverage the AI Course for Educators by AI for Education to learn how to responsibly use AI tools like ChatGPT in the classroom.
- The Pathfinders Summer Institute 2025 offers a 40-hour online PD event that focuses on project-based coding, digital storytelling, and responsible AI integration, requiring no prior coding experience.
- Discovery Education's free back-to-school resources offer interactive content, immersive learning missions, and virtual labs for K-12 students, promoting technology-driven personalized learning experiences.
- Classwork.com's free platform offers AI-enhanced tutoring and quiz generation, as well as interactive activities created by teachers, promoting accessible, innovative edtech implementation.
- The Screencastify Master Screencaster Certification course covers the basics of screencasting and using video in education settings, providing knowledge on creating videos for students.
- The Book Creator Certified Author Training consists of 18 short videos that provide instruction on the features of Book Creator for classroom use, promoting effective digital learning and earning a certificate and digital badge upon completion.
