Online courses can be just as effective as classroom courses if the instructor uses the right methods. For example, there is evidence that online courses that create the most satisfying outcomes are structured, interactive (using constructivist instructional design), relevant, and instructor-facilitated. One study found for BIPOC students, interaction and learning outcomes improve when a variety of multimedia were integrated, the content was organized around learning objectives, and there was easy access to online materials.
Staff who want to grow – both in their skills and as people – have more opportunities available to them as ever before. In addition to the resources we’ve compiled below, we recommend you research schools, trade associations, and freelance educators who offer classes suited for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners.
And like any work-related endeavor, an employee’s ED or supervisor should set expectations, follow up afterward to see what they’ve learned, and plan for how new knowledge and skills can be incorporated into future work projects. To get started, we suggest you explore these resources:
- Check out Learning Connections, an online resource for professional development/continuing education opportunities.
- Spark the Fire Grantwriting Classes offers a Certificate in Grantwriting course that incorporates multimedia, group discussions, and hands-on project-based work.
- There are several other organizations/educators listed in our Nonprofit Resource Directory that focus on professional development, such as Washington Nonprofits, AFP Advancement Northwest, UW Tacoma Professional Development Center, Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at City University of Seattle, Puget Sound Grantwriters Association, Seattle Central College, and others.
- If your budget for professional development is limited, here are a few low-cost to no-cost alternatives you can pursue.
- Improve your leadership acumen by perusing through our leadership development resources.
We’d like to thank Allison Shirk for contributing to this article. She is the founder of Spark the Fire Grantwriting Classes and is passionate about using interactive, learner-centric teaching methods.