Apr 16 / by The Learning Liaisons

SimpleK12 Review - 2024 Professional Development Course Review

SimpleK12 is an online platform that provides professional development and training resources for educators. 

The training resources are offered through webinars, online courses and a resource library. The company also offers certification programs for educators. 

The company’s goal is to support teachers in enhancing their skills, integrating technology into the classroom, and staying updated on educational best practices. 

With professional development, teachers enhance their skill set, becoming more organized, more effective, and more confident in their delivery of instruction. This creates a safe and productive learning environment and improves academic performance for learners. 

This article is a review of SimpleK12 professional development courses for teachers. We will highlight their efficacy in helping educators improve their skills and move up the career ladder. 

What Is SimpleK12?

SimpleK12 is a company that offers training resources and professional development courses for K-12 educators. They support teachers in improving their instructional methods by incorporating educational technology into their classrooms.

Their platform has over 500 courses covering topics like:

  •    Blended Learning
  •    Classroom Management
  •    Differentiation & Personalization
  •    Educator Growth & Wellness
  •    Google Workspace
  •    Instructional Strategies
  •    Learning Management Systems
  •    Social & Emotional Learning
  •    Technology Integration
  •    Virtual Learning


Some of these courses are free. However, you'll need to subscribe to get access to others.  

The platform aims to provide convenient and accessible professional development opportunities for teachers to improve their teaching practices and ultimately enhance student learning outcomes.

States/Areas of Service

SimpleK12 is available to educators nationwide in the United States and Canada. Their training for teachers is also applicable to teachers universally as long as they understand English. 

They offer online professional development resources and training that can be accessed from any location with internet connectivity. 

Teachers in school districts with a contractual agreement with SimpleK12 can access all resources as long as they can access the Internet.

Main Product and Offering

SimpleK12 provides tools and resources to empower educators with the knowledge, skills, and resources to enhance their teaching effectiveness and positively impact student learning outcomes.

As mentioned earlier, some of the resources are free; you must pay a subscription fee to access the rest.

Here’s what their premium subscription grants you: 

  •    Webinars: Live and on-demand webinars covering a wide range of topics relevant to education. The webinars are conducted by education experts and provide practical strategies, tips, and insights that teachers can implement in their classrooms.
  •    Online courses: Self-paced online courses designed to help teachers deepen their knowledge and skills in educational technology, classroom management, differentiated instruction, assessment, and more. These courses include video tutorials, quizzes, and other interactive elements.
  •    Resource library: SimpleK12 has a vast library of articles, lesson plans, templates, printables, and educational tools. You can browse through the library collection to find materials that suit your instructional needs and interests.
  •    Community forums: SimpleK12 hosts online forums and discussion groups where educators can connect with peers, ask questions, share ideas, and collaborate on various educational topics. These communities provide a supportive environment for professional networking and growth.
  •    Certification programs: Some courses on SimpleK12 lead to certification in specific areas, such as educational technology integration or Google for Education. These certification programs involve completing courses and assessments to demonstrate proficiency in the subject matter. 

Costs and Subscription Tiers

Free Trial Monthly  Annually
30 Days Free $29.99 $199

The above pricing is for individual educators. For school district pricing, please reach out to the sales team at SimpleK12. 

Pros and Cons of Simple K12

SimpleK12 offers resources and opportunities for educators to enhance their professional growth and classroom practice. However, just like any other program, you need to consider the pros and cons when evaluating its suitability.

Pros

  •    SimpleK12 offers a wide range of professional development resources, including webinars, courses, and resources covering various educational topics, catering to the diverse needs of educators.
  •    The platform provides on-demand access to resources, allowing teachers to learn at their own pace and convenience. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for educators with busy schedules or those seeking to fit professional development around their teaching responsibilities.
  •    SimpleK12 collaborates with education experts to deliver high-quality content, ensuring that teachers receive practical strategies from experienced professionals in the field.
  •    The platform fosters a sense of community among educators through online forums and discussion groups, enabling collaboration, idea sharing, and peer support.
  •    SimpleK12 offers personalized recommendations based on teachers' needs, interests, and areas for growth, helping them navigate through relevant resources efficiently.
  •    The platform has assessment tools to help teachers gauge their understanding of the material and receive feedback on their progress.
  •    You get access to vast teaching resources such as lesson plans, worksheets, videos, and articles curated to support professional growth and classroom instruction.
  •    Completing courses in certain areas earns teachers certificates, which are valuable for career advancement and professional recognition.
  •    The platform offers training in a variety of multimedia resources like videos, podcasts, and interactive simulations to cater to different learning styles. 
  •    SimpleK12 aligns with school district goals and initiatives, providing resources and support tailored to specific educational priorities 
  •    SimpleK12 stays current with emerging trends and developments in education, regularly updating its content to reflect the latest research, best practices, and technological advancements.

Cons

  •    While SimpleK12 offers valuable resources, access to certain features may require a subscription or payment, which could be a barrier for educators with limited budgets or funding constraints 
  •    As an online platform, SimpleK12 relies on internet connectivity and technology access, which could pose challenges for educators in areas with limited infrastructure or resources.

Recent Reviews of SimpleK12 from Educators

The following are reviews of SimpleK12 from different educators. 

Very informative, instructional information on a variety of many different educational topics to assist teachers in learning more methods of teaching or about different tools you can use to teach in the future.

Stepanie Szajko.

Lots of wonderful resources and training!

Andrea Branstetter.

A broad range of trainings …variety of presentation styles…generous resources..lessons professionally delivered and usually concise… extremely useful.

Vicki Macdevitt.

Endorsements

SimpleK12 boasts a community of over 84,000 K-12 educators. This wide reach suggests that the platform's resources appeal to a diverse teacher audience.

It also indicates that Simple K12 is a credible and trustworthy source of professional development in the education community. 

Educators only trust and rely on platforms with a strong reputation for providing resources and support.

Simple K12 caters to diverse professional development needs, offering content relevant to different subject areas, grade levels, and instructional practices.

With a large user base, Simple K12 has access to feedback from educators regarding the platform's effectiveness, usability, and content quality. This feedback helps the platform continuously improve to better meet the evolving needs of teachers.

Contact Information

The SimpleK12 contact for U.S./Canada is 1.800.393.4636. The International contact is 1.407.796.5200.

You can also email them at info@simplek12.com.

Recent News and Information 2024

SimpleK12 has introduced a free resource to support teachers in working with multilingual learners, acknowledging the growing diversity in today's classrooms and the need for educators to become more culturally responsive. 

The resource provides tips and strategies to help teachers effectively teach and support students learning multiple languages. 

SimpleK12 aims to empower educators with practical guidance and tools to better meet the needs of their diverse student populations and promote equitable learning opportunities for all learners.

Check out more resources on the website free resource home page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can benefit from SimpleK12's resources?

SimpleK12's resources are designed for educators at all levels, including teachers, administrators, and support staff.

The platform offers resources covering a wide range of subject areas and grade levels, catering to the diverse needs of educators across different disciplines and levels of experience.

They also offer practical guidance and step-by-step tutorials to help educators integrate technology into their teaching effectively.

Are SimpleK12's resources free?

SimpleK12 offers both free and paid resources. While some resources may require a subscription or payment, many free resources are available on the platform.

You can access SimpleK12's resources through their website by creating an account and signing in. Once logged in, you can browse through the available resources and access those that interest you.

Are SimpleK12's webinars live or pre-recorded?

SimpleK12 offers both live and pre-recorded webinars. Live webinars allow participants to interact with presenters in real time, while pre-recorded webinars can be accessed at any time for on-demand viewing.

Some courses and webinars qualify for continuing education credits or certifications.

Overall, how good Is SimpleK12?

Whether you're a seasoned educator looking to stay updated on the latest trends or a newcomer eager to build your skills from the ground up, SimpleK12 has something for you.

SimpleK12 offers a wide range of professional development opportunities that will empower you to deliver instruction better to your learners and open you up for career advancement.

Many educators appreciate the convenience and accessibility of SimpleK12's online platform, which allows them to access resources at their own pace and on their own schedule. 

Joining the platform also makes you part of a community of educators through online forums and discussion groups, enabling collaboration and networking opportunities.  

SimpleK12 offers a wealth of tools and guidance to help you succeed. Remember to reach out to the SimpleK12 community for support and collaboration.