19 TOOLS

Best Professional Development Websites and PLNs for Teachers

Though our reviews look at a tool's learning potential for students in the classroom, many of these resources offer learning opportunities for educators as well. On this list, you'll find tools for staying up to date with the latest news, sharing ideas with other teachers, and finding the best lessons. Expand your teacher network through a PLN (professional learning network), find inspiration, and build your knowledge of the best teaching practices with these rich professional development sites and online communities.

BetterLesson

Exemplary lessons, strategies, and coaching from master teachers

Bottom Line: Take advantage of the offerings of this professional community to improve the quality of your classroom instruction.

Grades: Pre-K–12
Price:
Free, Paid

Common Curriculum

Sleek lesson planner replaces bulky binders, promotes collaboration

Bottom Line: Flexible and collaborative lesson planning, calendar design, and classroom site creator save teachers precious time.

Grades: Pre-K–12
Price:
Free

KQED Teach

Super PD resource for making media in the classroom

Bottom Line: Stay on top of the trends and take the fear out of media-making in the classroom.

Grades: Pre-K–12
Price:
Free

Smithsonian Science Education Center

Teacher-geared site outlines steps for innovative science instruction

Bottom Line: Use the SSEC's site as a stop on your changing-science-instruction path; just be prepared to reach out to them for constructive details.

Grades: K–10
Price:
Free

Annenberg Learner

Free, handy multimedia PD resources could use updating

Bottom Line: A hodge-podge of resources and video courses may help some teachers brush up on their content knowledge and instructional skills.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free

California Academy of Sciences

Expert research and diverse, rich lessons inspire future scientists

Bottom Line: A perfect companion to (or substitute for) the Academy, this site delivers highly interactive resources and research with a lot of depth.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free, Paid

OER Commons

Free, easy access to a wealth of resources

Bottom Line: Impressive resource opens access to quality materials for all educators.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free

Learning for Justice

Thought-provoking classroom resources support diversity education

Bottom Line: It's an invaluable teacher tool to help reduce prejudice and encourage tolerance in schools, as well as within society as a whole.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free

ReadWriteThink

Free hub for literacy lessons aims to deepen learning, engagement

Bottom Line: This is a trustworthy site that teachers of all grades/subjects could find a way to use weekly for lessons or professional development.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free

Share My Lesson

A huge database of ready-to-go lesson plans but needs more curation

Bottom Line: Not a quick fix but a solid resource for pre-K through adult ed planning, supplemental resources, and professional development.

Grades: Pre-K–12
Price:
Free

Teaching Channel

Quality videos challenge educators to grow within a PD environment

Bottom Line: Professional educators can watch, share, and learn in a continually updated environment.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free, Paid

The Current

Engaging space for tech-forward instruction and teacher collaboration

Bottom Line: A great resource to share and gather ideas on teaching with technology and media, but there are some bugs that need fixing.

Grades: 5–12
Price:
Free

Microsoft Teams

Collaborative LMS platform helps manage classes, groups, and projects

Bottom Line: Educators will likely find that the wide variety of features Teams offers is worth the time it takes to learn how to use it.

Grades: 5–12
Price:
Free, Paid

KQED Education

Excellent multimedia learning hub supports both teachers and students

Bottom Line: For those willing to dig around, the site is an exceptional place for both educators and students to find inspirational digital media resources.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Stellar history website, gateway to cool PD and scholarship

Bottom Line: In class, a good resource for U.S. history; beyond, a great website for free teacher PD and some great in-depth exploration of primary sources.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

Voxer Walkie Talkie Messenger

Voice- and text-messaging app is a teacher PLN standout

Bottom Line: A cool tool for teachers to collaborate with each other (but maybe not with their students).

Grades: 7–12
Price:
Free, Paid

Youcubed

Research-backed resources that attack math myths head on

Bottom Line: A fantastic resource for teachers working on changing attitudes toward math and teaching it in an innovate and engaging way.

Grades: 8–12
Price:
Free, Paid

Pinterest

Visually appealing, endlessly creative gallery of images and ideas

Bottom Line: An effective way to search for new ideas and save them for later use, but keep an eye on the source -- and on your watch.

Grades: 9–12
Price:
Free

Twitter

Smart classroom tool if used with care; priceless for PLNs

Bottom Line: Twitter offers something for everyone: information, resources, and an easy way to connect with just about anyone.

Grades: 9–12
Price:
Free

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