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Defined Academy

Professional Learning Experiences in
Support of Deeper Learning

Defined Academy empowers educators to enhance their use of Defined products. Through our extensive course library, we deliver engaging virtual learning experiences, including asynchronous micro-learning modules within structured units and courses, micro-credentials, and customized training.

Defined Academy supports educators in building their instructional skills and professional growth, mastering our products, and creating meaningful outcomes through deeper learning. Our expert team will work with you to develop a customized professional learning program tailored to your goals and needs. Whether you are new to deeper learning or looking to advance your practice, we have a path just for you.

Defined Academy

 

Pick your desired outcomes & explore how to get started today...

Defined Academy empowers educators through self-paced, microlearning modules that can be accessed anytime, anywhere through the Defined platform. Our virtual learning experiences are designed with a Learn-Practice-Reflect framework that allows educators to progress at their own pace while tracking their professional growth journey. We offer virtual, in-person, and hybrid trainings including half-day, full-day, coaching, and cohort offerings. Learn more below!

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VIRTUAL COURSES

Our comprehensive virtual learning library features courses across 3 catalogs: Getting Started with Defined (included with all Defined purchases), Future-Ready Skills, and Content Connections. These courses include self-paced microlearning modules that empower educators to master the Defined platform while building essential instructional skills for deeper learning implementation.

Planning & Preparation - 1. Aligning to Standards

MICRO-CREDENTIALS

Our micro-credentials offer short, focused competency-based professional learning experiences that recognize educators for applying their skills in planning and/or implementing strategies to support student learning. They validate teachers' expertise and professional growth in creating aspects of a learning environment supporting students in their practice, knowledge building, and success through authentic applications. Upon successful completion, educators earn a badge for each micro-credential. 

In-Person, Hybrid, & Virtual Trainings

IN-PERSON, HYBRID, & VIRTUAL LIVE TRAININGS

Defined Academy offers a variety of flexible professional learning opportunities including virtual, in-person, and hybrid trainings tailored to your school or district's needs. We also offer more in-depth training opportunities such as coaching and instructional support, cohorts, communities of practice, and more.

 

Dive Deeper into Our Virtual Offerings

GETTING STARTED WITH DEFINED

The Getting Started with Defined course includes 4 foundational units: The Defined Platform, Performance Tasks, Customizing Tasks and Creating Assessments, Assigning to Students, and The Gradebook. This course introduces the Defined platform and its capabilities through microlearning modules. This course is included with all Defined purchases. Customers who purchase Defined Careers will also have access to a 5th unit that is specific to Defined Careers.

Participants Will:

  • Navigate the Defined platform (educator and student views)
  • Understand performance tasks and their components
  • Learn to customize tasks and assessments
  • Learn how to assign tasks and assess

Key Features:

  • Platform navigation tutorials
  • Performance task structure exploration
  • Customization strategies
  • Implementation guidance

FUTURE-READY SKILLS

The Future-Ready Skills Virtual Offering includes courses on Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Innovation, and Problem-Solving. These courses focus on developing essential future-ready skills through Defined performance tasks.

Participants Will:

  • Identify future-ready skills within Defined performance tasks
  • Integrate skill development with academic content
  • Assess skill development effectively

Key Features:

  • Skill-focused implementation strategies
  • Integration with academic standards
  • Assessment approaches for future-ready skills

CONTENT CONNECTIONS

The Content Connections Virtual Offering includes 10 content-specific courses — featuring Math, Science, ELA, Social Studies, and Computer Science — focused on using Defined Learning's performance tasks to foster deeper learning in both elementary and secondary levels.

Participants Will:

  • Connect content area content to real-world careers
  • Integrate future-ready skills with content area practices
  • Implement performance tasks aligned with curriculum
  • Create effective project-based learning environments for their content area

Key Features:

  • Content-specific applications and examples
  • Alignment with content practices and standards
  • Classroom routines for content area discourse
  • Real-world context for abstract concepts

MICRO-CREDENTIALS

The Micro-credentials offer short, focused competency-based professional learning experiences that recognize educators for applying their skills in planning and/or implementing strategies to support student learning. They validate teachers' expertise and professional growth in creating aspects of a learning environment supporting students in their practice, knowledge building, and success through authentic applications. Upon successful completion, educators earn a badge for each micro-credential.  

Participants Will:

  • Apply strategies to integrate performance tasks into curriculum in ways that deepen student engagement, content mastery, and career awareness
  • Implement instructional strategies that support students in practicing and mastering future-ready skills within the context of performance-based, career-connected learning
  • Plan and implement performance tasks and/or Defined resources that align with content standards and/or reflect authentic career scenarios
  • Demonstrate an understanding of creating a student-centered learning environment that promotes deeper learning through authentic opportunities for students utilizing high-quality instruction and performance assessments

Key Features:

  • A competency-based form of certification
  • A personalized professional learning experience with participants applying their knowledge and/or skill to support learning
  • Designed to support professional practice and growth
  • Each contains an application for planning and/or implementation and the creation of a specific product, reflection and/or application demonstrating competence of the attribute
  • Each is evaluated by Defined facilitators and approved or returned with feedback for completion (badge issued upon successful completion)

How to develop teachers' knowledge & expertise

High-quality professional learning is essential for implementing career-connected deeper learning successfully. By following the proven best practices described here, school systems can effectively deliver professional learning that transforms teaching and learning.

This white paper explores what high-quality professional learning looks like and how Defined helps school systems apply it to ensure success.

READ THE RESEARCH!

White Paper: Professional Development for PBL

Meet Our Expert Team

Defined's thought leaders create high-quality professional learning opportunities to increase educators' knowledge and skills to support all students in their learning. Meet our leaders:

Dave Reese-1

Dr. David L. Reese

Dr. David L. Reese serves as Chief Academic Officer supporting our educational vision. He has over 30 years of experience in education from the classroom to central office administration. Working nationally and internationally with school leaders and teachers has shaped his global perspective and expertise in curriculum design, project-based learning, and instructional leadership. Dr. Reese’s leadership ensures that Defined delivers high-quality educational resources and professional learning grounded in real-world relevance and effective practices to support educators and students.

Rob Underwood

Rob Underwood

Rob Underwood is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in the education and technology industries. Formerly a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent, Rob now serves as the Vice President of Professional Learning Partnerships and Partner Experience at Defined where he works with leaders from across the globe on impacting teaching and learning.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR EXPERT TEAM OF FACILITATORS?

MEET OUR INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM

Defined Academy

The Learning Never Ends

Despite what your students may think, teachers don’t know everything. The key to inspire deeper learning is to pass on the skills of hands-on self-education. When instructor skills and understanding grow, student skills and understanding grow as well. The connections are clear. Supporting educators is vital to a healthy learning environment.

Interested in learning more about how Defined Academy can support your professional learning goals and initiatives and enhance your use of Defined products? Click below to schedule a call with your dedicated partnership manager today!

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