Research identifies what makes online professional learning effective

Recent research from the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), developed in collaboration with the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, highlights the conditions that help teachers and school leaders engage successfully in online professional learning.

The research found that educators reported similar levels of satisfaction with professional learning delivered online and onsite. Around 9 in 10 participants also reported a positive impact on their practice, regardless of delivery mode.

While many educators still preferred onsite or blended learning, the findings identified practical ways schools can strengthen participation and engagement in online professional learning.

Key findings

The research identified several factors that support participation and engagement in online professional learning:

• Leadership support and follow-up conversations
• Protected time to focus on learning
• Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues
• Content that is relevant to their own school and teaching context
• Learning delivered in manageable modules
• Flexibility to revisit content or skip learning they have already mastered

What this means for schools

The findings suggest that successful online professional learning depends on more than course design alone.

Schools can improve engagement by creating the conditions that support participation, including dedicated time for learning, encouragement from leaders and opportunities for professional discussion.

For providers, the research highlights the importance of flexible, practical learning experiences that connect directly to educators' work.

About the research

The research summary draws on teacher and school leader interviews from an AERO study, alongside findings from the Academy's 2025 Impact Evaluation survey, to better understand what helps educators get the most from online professional learning.

Research summary

Considerations for online professional learning | AERO website