eeCourses
Photos by Mitchell Pruitt
eeCourses:
Online Professional Development from AEEA
The eeCourses program is designed to provide online, easy-to-access, and ongoing professional development opportunities for educators in both classrooms and non-formal settings. eeCourses are intended to build key competencies in a particular subject or focus area. Each course operates asynchronously and will require a total time commitment of 10-15 hours over a period of eight (8) weeks. eeCourses include a variety of tasks and assignments that are thoughtfully designed to engage participants in active learning experiences.
This program is meant to be flexible and meet the needs of professional educators. The courses mostly operate asynchronously with suggested due dates for each module. Periodic group discussions via Zoom are key part of each course. The discussion sessions are highly recommended for participants.
Sharpen your skills and increase your knowledge through online environmental and outdoor education professional learning.
Registration Costs
AEEA Member $65
Non-Member $100
AEEA members receive a $35 discount.
Fall Session: September 22 – November 17, 2025
Course 1: Foundations of Teaching Environmental Education
Course 2: Teaching and Learning Outdoors
Foundations of Teaching Environmental Education
This course, previously titled Foundations of Environmental Education Instruction, is designed to provide educators with the background knowledge and skills necessary to ground future instruction in environmental education. This course will take approximately 10-12 hours to complete. It is aimed at non-formal educators, but classroom teachers are also welcome.
View Course Overview
Teaching and Learning Outdoors
This course is designed to equip educators with the knowledge, skills, tools and resources to take learning outdoors. This course should take you approximately 8-10 hours to complete. This course is appropriate for classroom teachers, non-formal educators, and other youth leaders who want to gain confidence in teaching outdoors.
View Course Overview
Register for one or both courses using the buttons below. If paying with a check, or requesting an invoice first, use the button titled “Register and Pay Later.” If paying with a credit or debit card, use the button titled “Register and Pay Now.” Payment must be received by Friday, September 19 to be enrolled in a fall course.
eeCourses Offered by AEEA
These courses are currently offered by AEEA on a rotating basis. More course topics will be added as we continue to grow the program.
- Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners
- Environmental Education in Your Community
- Foundations in Teaching Environmental Education
- Managing Controversy: Strategies for Teaching Environmental Issues and Topics
- Teaching and Learning Outdoors
The course moderator will provide feedback and grades for all submitted assignments, and they will be available to answer questions regarding tasks or assignments.
All asynchronous learning components are housed and administered through a web-based learning management system, Moodle. Participants are provided a Moodle account prior to each session beginning. Participation in this program requires use of Google Docs or Microsoft Word and access to Zoom.
A certificate of completion stating the number of professional development hours will be provided upon completion of the course. Professional development hours generally ranges from 8-12 hours per course.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an eeCourse?
eeCourses are intended to build key competencies in a particular subject or focus area. Each one operates asynchronously and will require a total time commitment of 10-15 hours. eeCourses include a variety of tasks and assignments that are thoughtfully designed to engage participants in active learning experiences. Each eeCourses is built by modules of varying time and length.
How often are assignments due?
Most courses do not have hard due dates outside of the session closing date, however, we know that most people work better with deadlines. We want this program to be flexible and accessible to those who may be working full or part time and continuing their education in “off” hours and times. To encourage active and timely participation, each eeCourse will include a suggested timeline. At the midterm of each course, it is expected that participants will have completed half of their registered coursework. While we want to be flexible, we also want these learning experiences to be meaningful and we think timely and periodic work in the courses will benefit participants more than trying to complete coursework at the last minute.
What are the assignments like?
eeCourses include a variety of tasks and assignments that are thoughtfully designed to engage participants in active learning experiences. There will be videos, reflections, slideshows, PearDecks, JamBoards, virtual tours, mind maps, field assignments, and more!
Why participate in an eeCourse instead of a workshop?
eeCourses are an additional avenue of professional development offered through AEEA. Our annual conference and in-person workshops will continue to occur. eeCourses have flexible hours and no travel expenses, providing a complimentary option for continuing to develop as an environmental educator, program leader, classroom teacher, or school administrator.
Are eeCourses synchronous or asynchronous?
The vast majority of eeCourses are designed asynchronously for learners, meaning that you can work at your own pace and on your own hours. See below about discussion times.
Are there times I have to be online?
Most of the time, no. However, there will be two scheduled Zoom discussions and a short introductory meeting at the beginning of the course. If the pre-scheduled Zoom dates and times present a problem, but you are interested in the course, please contact us. The discussion times are highly encouraged, but being unable to attend them should not be a barrier to registering for the course.
How do I register?
First, check that the enrollment period is open for the upcoming term. If it is, registration buttons will be found on our website. See above.
How much does it cost?
Each course costs $100 for nonmembers and $65 for AEEA members. AEEA Members receive a $35 discount on each course!
How do I become an AEEA member?
Visit https://arkansasee.org/become-a-member/ to become a member and receive our discounts on AEEA events.
What is the refund policy?
All refund or withdrawal requests must be communicated via email to Sophia Stephenson at director@arkansasaee.org.
- Participants who wish to cancel their registration and request a refund one week prior to the session opening are eligible to receive a full refund minus a $10 processing fee.
- Participants who wish to cancel their registration and request a refund fewer than seven days before the session opens are eligible to receive a 75% refund.
- Participants who wish to withdraw from a course within one week after the course begins are eligible to receive a 50% refund.
- No refund can be provided after the first week of a course.
Still have questions?
Thanks for your interest in the program! Contact Sophia at director@arkansasee.org with any additional questions!
AEEA’s eeCourses program is a collaborative effort with environmental education assocations across the continent. This program is supported by the North American Association for Environmental Education.

