Choosing Summer Courses – 5 questions to ask before you commit

There are a huge number of professional development courses on offer to primary teachers in Summer 2018 – both online and offline. It can be tricky to find the course that is right for you.

We suggest 5 questions to ask yourself when deciding.

How do I like to learn?                  

Online is a great option if you are a night owl (like us!) and like to burn the midnight oil with CPD or just like flexibility with times you can dip in and out of your learning. If you can’t live with being stuck indoors when the sun is splitting the rocks in Ireland (fingers crossed) then online is the best option for you. If you prefer routine and collaborating in a physical environment, you may prefer to look at face-to-face course options. Plus, they usually throw in a free lunch!

Does the course look interesting and relevant?

You will be spending 20 hours of your time investing in your professional development – it’s important to be engaged in what you are learning about and for it to be relevant to your everyday work!

Is the course reasonably priced?

With some teachers opting to take three summer courses over their holiday period, it is important that there is value in the price. As teachers are paying for their professional development out of their own pockets, many providers are offering Early Bird prices.

Will the provider value you?

Ask around to friends, family and colleagues about courses they have done in the past.

Which providers do they recommend and why?

Did they feel valued as a participant?

Did they enjoy the experience?

Are they efficient?

Was it value for money?

Does the course qualify for EPV Days?

1 course = 3 EPV Days

2 courses = 4 EPV Days

3 courses = 5 EPV Days

Check out Rathú Online Summer Courses for 2018 which are qualified for EPV Days.

We are running Early Bird offers for May and June of €45 per course. Numbers are limited.

Work Smarter, Be Happier for Teachers – Managing Workload Effectively HERE

Fostering Emotional Resilience & Harmony in the Classroom HERE