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Professor John MacBeath and Dr Fawaz Shareef

The Foundations of Teaching for Learning programme is for anyone who is teaching, or who would like to teach, in any subject and any context - be it at school, at home or in the workplace. With dynamic lessons taught by established and respected professionals from across the Commonwealth, this eight course programme will see you develop and strengthen your skills in teaching, professionalism, assessment, and more. As you carry on through the programme, you will find yourself strengthening not only your skills, but your connection with colleagues across the globe. A professional development opportunity not to be missed.

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The Foundations of Teaching for Learning programme is for anyone who is teaching, or who would like to teach, in any subject and any context - be it at school, at home or in the workplace. With dynamic lessons taught by established and respected professionals from across the Commonwealth, this eight course programme will see you develop and strengthen your skills in teaching, professionalism, assessment, and more. As you carry on through the programme, you will find yourself strengthening not only your skills, but your connection with colleagues across the globe. A professional development opportunity not to be missed.

Positive relationships with students supports children's learning. Positive relationships with colleagues and school leaders helps school improvement. This course helps teachers develop strong relationships with families and colleagues.

Enhance your course by joining the Commonwealth teaching community on our website, Facebook and Twitter.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

The importance of relationships for educational settings
Relationships are critical to everything we do. They impact on our learning and how we see the curriculum and its assessment. They make a difference to our learning by ourselves and with others. They will enable us to work well, or not so well, with other people in the school. This week we will look in detail at what relationships are and how they are formed. We look back briefly at something that was discussed in course five, that is, how to support the development of a growth mindset. We hope that right from the start you will be discussing the course content with another educator. Since our relationships for so much of the time involve other people, it is important to think about these things with others to enable us to practice some of the things that are talked about in the course.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Engages with social, cultural, and value differences in the school, which is relevant in today's diverse classroom settings
Focuses on the importance of relationships for students, colleagues, and school leaders, which is essential for a positive and effective learning environment
Explores how teacher-student relationships impact on student learning and how to develop positive interactions
Delves into the significance of parent involvement for student success and provides strategies for building these relationships
Highlights the importance of community involvement in supporting student learning and explores ways to establish partnerships
Examines the concept of diversity and its implications for creating an inclusive classroom environment

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships with these activities:
Watch videos and read articles on best practices for building strong relationships with students
Access expert insights and practical tips on how to foster positive and productive relationships.
Show steps
  • Search for videos and articles on the topic.
  • Watch or read the selected resources.
  • Take notes on key points and strategies.
  • Reflect on how you can apply what you've learned to your own teaching.
Review the Importance of Positive Relationships
Refresh your understanding of the foundational importance of positive relationships in educational settings, setting the stage for successful learning and professional growth.
Show steps
  • Read the course overview and introduction materials.
  • Reflect on your own experiences with positive and negative relationships in educational settings.
  • Identify the key benefits of positive relationships in promoting student learning and well-being.
Volunteer in a local school or community organization that supports children and families
Gain practical experience in working with students and families from diverse backgrounds.
Browse courses on Volunteering
Show steps
  • Identify a local school or community organization that aligns with your interests and goals.
  • Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Commit to a regular volunteer schedule and show up on time.
  • Engage with students and families in a positive and supportive manner.
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Practice Establishing Positive Teacher-Student Relationships
Engage in practical exercises designed to enhance your skills in building and maintaining positive relationships with students, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment.
Show steps
  • Role-play different scenarios involving student interactions.
  • Develop strategies for addressing challenging student behaviors.
  • Seek feedback from colleagues or supervisors on your interactions with students.
Collaborate on Strategies for Working with Colleagues
Connect with fellow educators to exchange ideas, share experiences, and develop collaborative strategies for fostering positive relationships with colleagues and school leaders, contributing to a more effective and supportive school environment.
Show steps
  • Join online discussion forums or professional learning communities.
  • Attend workshops or conferences focused on collaborative leadership.
  • Seek opportunities to mentor or be mentored by experienced educators.
Develop a lesson plan for a class on building positive teacher-student relationships
Practice applying the principles of strong teacher-student relationships in your own classroom.
Browse courses on Lesson Planning
Show steps
  • Identify the learning objectives for the lesson.
  • Choose activities that will help students build positive relationships with each other and with you.
  • Develop a plan for assessing student learning.
  • Implement the lesson plan and reflect on your results.
Practice active listening skills by role-playing conversations with students
Develop your ability to listen attentively and respond empathetically to students.
Browse courses on Active Listening
Show steps
  • Identify a partner to role-play with.
  • Take turns playing the role of the student and the teacher.
  • Focus on using active listening skills, such as maintaining eye contact, nodding, and asking clarifying questions.
  • Reflect on your experience and identify areas for improvement.
Join a study group with other teachers to discuss the principles of effective teaching
Connect with other educators and exchange ideas on how to build strong and supportive learning environments.
Show steps
  • Find a study group that meets your interests and learning goals.
  • Attend study group meetings regularly and participate actively in discussions.
  • Share your own experiences and insights with the group.
  • Reflect on your learning and apply what you've learned to your own teaching.
Develop a Plan for Engaging Parents
Create a comprehensive plan outlining strategies for effectively engaging parents and guardians in their children's education, fostering home-school partnerships that support student success.
Show steps
  • Research best practices for parent engagement.
  • Identify potential barriers to parent involvement.
  • Develop specific strategies for reaching out to parents from diverse backgrounds.
  • Create materials and resources to support parent involvement.
Develop a presentation on the importance of positive relationships in the classroom
Showcase your understanding of the topic and effectively communicate the key points to others.
Browse courses on Presentation Skills
Show steps
  • Research the topic and gather evidence to support your claims.
  • Develop a clear and concise outline for your presentation.
  • Create visual aids to enhance your presentation.
  • Practice your presentation and time yourself.
  • Deliver your presentation to an audience.
Explore Community Resources for Student Support
Engage with online tutorials or resources that provide guidance on identifying and accessing community resources, such as after-school programs, tutoring services, and mental health support, to enhance student well-being and academic achievement.
Show steps
  • Use search engines to find relevant resources.
  • Consult with local organizations and agencies.
  • Attend community meetings or events.

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Teacher
As a course about how to teach, this Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course will be immediately useful to someone who wants to become a teacher. As someone who wants to enter this career field, you should take this course in particular because it can help you to develop the skills that you need to be an effective teacher. This course can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to create a positive and supportive learning environment for your students. Additionally, this course can help you to learn how to assess student learning and how to use data to improve your teaching practices.
Education Consultant
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course will also be helpful to teachers who want to go into a related field, such as education consulting. As an Education Consultant, you would be working with schools and other educational organizations to help them improve their teaching and learning practices. This course can help you to develop the skills that you need to be an effective Education Consultant. It can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to work with a variety of stakeholders, including teachers, administrators, and parents.
Curriculum Developer
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course will also be helpful to teachers who want to develop curriculum. As a Curriculum Developer, you would be responsible for developing and evaluating educational materials. This course can help you to develop the skills that you need to be an effective Curriculum Developer. It can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to create and evaluate educational materials.
Instructional Designer
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course might be helpful to someone who wants to become an instructional designer. Instructional Designers develop and deliver instructional materials and programs. They work with teachers and other educational professionals to create learning experiences that are effective and engaging. This course can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to create and deliver instructional materials.
Educational Researcher
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course might be helpful to someone who wants to become an educational researcher. Educational Researchers study the teaching and learning process. They conduct research to identify best practices and develop new teaching methods. This course can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to conduct research.
School Administrator
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course might be helpful to someone who wants to become a school administrator. School Administrators oversee the operation of schools. They work with teachers and other staff members to create a positive and supportive learning environment for students. This course can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to manage a school.
School Counselor
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course might be helpful to someone who wants to become a school counselor. School Counselors provide support and guidance to students. They help students with academic, personal, and social issues. This course can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to provide support and guidance to students.
Social Worker
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course might be helpful to someone who wants to become a social worker. Social Workers provide support and guidance to individuals and families. They help people with a variety of issues, including mental health, addiction, and poverty. This course can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to provide support and guidance to individuals and families.
Psychologist
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course might be helpful to someone who wants to become a psychologist. Psychologists study the human mind and behavior. They help people with a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and addiction. This course can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to provide support and guidance to people with mental health issues.
Psychiatrist
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course might be helpful to someone who wants to become a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. They prescribe medication and provide psychotherapy to help people with mental health issues. This course can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to provide support and guidance to people with mental health issues.
Speech-Language Pathologist
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course might be helpful to someone who wants to become a speech-language pathologist. Speech-Language Pathologists assess and treat speech and language disorders. They work with people of all ages, from infants to adults. This course can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to assess and treat speech and language disorders.
Occupational Therapist
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course might be helpful to someone who wants to become an occupational therapist. Occupational Therapists help people with disabilities or injuries to improve their daily living skills. They work with people of all ages, from infants to adults. This course can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to help people with disabilities or injuries to improve their daily living skills.
Physical Therapist
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course might be helpful to someone who wants to become a physical therapist. Physical Therapists help people with disabilities or injuries to improve their movement and function. They work with people of all ages, from infants to adults. This course can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to help people with disabilities or injuries to improve their movement and function.
Registered Nurse
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course might be helpful to someone who wants to become a registered nurse. Registered Nurses provide care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. They assess patients' needs, develop care plans, and provide treatments. This course can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to provide care to patients.
Physician Assistant
This Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships course might be helpful to someone who wants to become a physician assistant. Physician Assistants provide care to patients under the supervision of a physician. They perform a variety of tasks, including taking medical histories, performing physical exams, and prescribing medications. This course can help you to build a foundation in the principles of teaching and learning. It can also help you to develop the skills that you need to provide care to patients.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the importance of relationships in the school community. It explores the different types of relationships that exist in schools, and how they can be developed and strengthened. The book also provides practical strategies for building relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.
Provides a practical guide to school improvement. It covers a range of topics, including how to develop a school vision, how to create a culture of learning, and how to use data to improve instruction.
Provides a philosophical exploration of the nature of teaching. It discusses the challenges and rewards of teaching, and the importance of building relationships with students.
Provides a practical guide to classroom management. It covers a range of topics, including how to create a positive learning environment, how to manage student behavior, and how to deal with difficult students.
Explores the importance of feedback in teaching and learning. It discusses the different types of feedback, and how to give and receive feedback effectively.
Provides a framework for reflective practice. It discusses the importance of reflecting on your own practice, and how to use reflection to improve your teaching.
Explores the concept of growth mindset. It discusses the importance of believing that you can improve your abilities through effort, and how to develop a growth mindset in your students.
Explores the concept of culturally responsive pedagogy. It discusses the importance of understanding and respecting the cultural backgrounds of your students, and how to use this knowledge to improve your teaching.
Provides a practical guide to inclusive education. It covers a range of topics, including how to create a welcoming and supportive learning environment for all students, and how to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners.
Provides a practical guide to differentiated instruction. It covers a range of topics, including how to assess student needs, how to plan for differentiated instruction, and how to manage a differentiated classroom.

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