Teachers pursuing their state licensure have access to many different open courseware resources online. From review classes to exam preparation to designed-for-credit courses, teaching students can enroll in courses offered by distinguished universities like MIT to get ready for a licensure program or exam. Many of these resources focus on educational theory, classroom instruction, portfolio development, understanding student behavior, working with a diverse class of students, and more. The California Subject Examination for Teachers collection, offered online from the University of California – Irvine, gives teachers wanting jobs in the state of California the opportunity to take practice tests and get an in-depth review of their subject before taking the exam. Other classes, like Educational Theory and Practice, Professional Portfolio Development Seminar, and Exploring K-12 Classroom Teaching may or may not satisfy strict state regulations for teacher licensure, but they are designed to help teaching students develop the skills they need to pass an exam and receive their license.

Besides MIT and the University of California – Irvine, schools like Dixie State College of Utah and others have made educational resources available to teaching students online. The open courseware format helps students already enrolled in rigorous programs take supplemental classes that introduce them to a new area or help them review for a specific subject. Students can access courses from anywhere, at anytime, and work at their own pace.

• Educational Theory and Practice I [MIT] – This course is first of three courses needed to complete MIT’s Teacher Education Plan. Students wanting to be teachers in secondary schools learn skills like curriculum design, motivating students and more.
• Educational Theory and Practice III [MIT] – MIT’s teacher preparation course “deals with the practicalities of teaching students” and covers topics in educational psychology, using technology and more.
• Professional Portfolio Development Seminar [Dixie State College of Utah] – This course is designed specifically for elementary school teachers in Utah, but teachers everywhere can learn helpful teaching skills and portfolio tips.
• California Subject Examination for Teachers [UC - Irvine] – Students preparing to be teachers in the state of California can take these practice courses to help them pass the CSET exams.
• Exploring K-12 Classroom Teaching [MIT] – This MIT class gives new teachers and teaching students an overview of important issues affecting K-12 classroom teaching, including student diversity, “the digital divide,” and others.