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Learn education with online courses and programs

Whether you want to teach in a classroom, develop education policy, or become a school administrator, courses in education can prepare you for a fulfilling career devoted to building knowledge.
Education | Introduction Image

What is education?

Education is the acquisition of knowledge and skills through experience, instruction, and study. It’s a lifelong journey that is constantly evolving as individuals seek new abilities, knowledge, and understanding. Education is key to developing essential life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making, as well as technical skills that can prepare people to function in various roles.

With education, learners can practice how to reason, expose themselves to different perspectives, and develop a richer understanding of their environments and societies. People can become more informed citizens, better understand life’s complexities, and engage actively in their communities. Education also gives people access to essential resources, like jobs and networks to pursue passions and achieve goals.

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Courses in education and teaching

edX offers a variety of courses for learners interested in the field. Education courses that meet your needs can depend on what kind of career you plan to pursue and the type of degree you seek. 

Sample topics of education courses include: 

  • Introduction to Education: a comprehensive overview of education’s history, philosophy, and sociology that can examine education’s social and cultural foundations, as well as the roles of learners, teachers, and schools.

  • Educational Psychology: an exploration of how students learn and develop cognitively, emotionally, and socially.

  • Curriculum and Instruction: the fundamentals of designing, implementing, and evaluating educational curricula, with topics related to planning, instructional strategies, materials selection, diversity issues, assessment methods, and technology integration.

  • Educational Technology: an introduction to the use of technology for teaching and learning, including emerging technologies, teaching with technology, digital media literacy, online learning tools, and security and privacy issues.

  • Special education: topics related to special education including identifying learners with special needs, developing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), collaboration with families, laws and regulations governing special education services, and effective instructional strategies.

  • Early childhood education: an indepth look into the development of children from birth to age eight, covering educational techniques used to foster learning. 

Jobs in education

Education is a broad field with many exciting career paths. Whether you want to pursue a career inside or outside of the classroom, many different options are available. 

Inside the classroom, teachers and professors provide instruction and prepare materials for their students. They are also involved in assessment, evaluation, and curriculum planning. As a teacher, you can focus on a specific subject, such as math, history, science, or language arts. You could also specialize in early childhood education or become a special education teacher. 

There are also many jobs for professionals outside the classroom, such as a school administrator, where you will be tasked with managing the operations of an educational institution which can involve hiring faculty, developing policies, and overseeing budgets. You can pursue a career as a consultant, advising organizations on educational topics; typical job activities include evaluating programs, creating reports, and suggesting potential improvements. And, you can work as a curriculum writer, crafting the material taught in the classroom, or an instructional designer, assessing existing training practices and developing online learning programs. 

No matter which job you choose, you'll be able to make a difference by shaping the minds of future generations. With the proper training and dedication, you can find a career that is both meaningful and rewarding. Explore the many online learning opportunities available on edX which can help you as you pursue a career in the field, including bachelor's degree or a master's degree programs.  

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Frequently asked questions

Education is an important part of any person’s development. With education, individuals are equipped with the tools necessary to navigate through life’s opportunities and challenges. More specifically, it provides people with the skills to think critically, solve problems, develop effective communication skills, and reach their goals. Educators can play an important role in providing students with the knowledge and skills to succeed. 

Learning how to become an educator requires dedication and effort. It requires time spent studying and understanding the material and then applying it in real life situations. It also requires a willingness to take risks, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversations with teachers and peers. 

A teacher typically works in a classroom setting, helping students understand and learn course material. They are generally responsible for preparing lesson plans, grading students' work, managing classroom behavior, and communicating with parents. Professors, on the other hand, typically work in higher education such as colleges and universities. They are often responsible for teaching courses, researching topics in their field of expertise, supervising undergraduate and graduate students, and publishing scholarly works. 

The requirements necessary to teach can depend on a number of factors such as the location, the grade level, subject, and the school where you intend to teach. Many locations require specific certifications.  

Teacher certification is the process of verifying that an individual has the skills, qualifications, and experience to teach at a specific school level. It’s a rigorous process that can involve completing courses, gaining classroom teaching experience, passing exams, and more. Requirements for certification vary by location, so it’s important to research what is necessary before beginning the process.

The type of jobs that will be open to teachers who earn a certification depend on the type of certification that the learner obtains. Some certifications will allow teachers to teach in elementary or middle schools, while others may be more narrowly focused on special education, for example.