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Professor John MacBeath and Professor Dennis Francis

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.

How we teach has its foundation in how we were taught and how we learned. This course provides an opportunity for you to reflect on your personal and professional development as a teacher. Through reflection and portfolio development you will enhance your knowledge and understanding of how to promote learning.

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

Enroll now

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What's inside

Syllabus

What is a teacher?
The first week of this course looks at what it means to be a teacher. We look at the many roles that a teacher plays and why each of these is important. We consider what it means to be an effective teacher. We look at ways in which we can improve what we do as teachers using a model of continuous professional development. Finally, we consider what a philosophy of education is and how we can develop a philosophy that guides our teaching.
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Myself and My Learning
The second week of this course looks at teachers’ sense of identity, and the differing reasons and motivations people have for becoming a teacher. We ask you to consider the influences on you and particularly the people who may have played a part in your decision to join the profession. You will reflect on the nature of transactions in the classroom and the differing ways in which students respond to how teachers address them. The fourth lecture draws on educational theorist Jacob Kounin’s key strategies that expert teachers to manage classrooms effectively.
Influences on my learning
The third week of this course continues the theme of how your teaching and learning has been influenced by other key people or events. You will learn about the primary motivations that persuade people to take up teaching as a career. How do you communicate with children, or adult learners, in ways that helps them to grasp key concepts and ways of thinking? Reflecting on your teaching and on your students’ learning may help you to have a greater impact as a teacher. The fourth lecture, entitled Asking or Telling address fundamental issues of pedagogy, reminding us that ‘telling’ is rarely an effective strategy for teaching either as a teacher or a parent, whereas questioning requires activity and involvement on the part of the learner.
Impacts on my learning
This week we look at the impact our social identities have on our learning. The four lectures in week four are all related to the theme of difference. It will be important for you to think about your own socialization and how you learned about difference. Is difference something you learned to value or is it something you have learned to ridicule? Think about how you deal with difference in your personal context and in your classroom. We encourage you to write a narrative in which you bring together a reflection on your own socialization and how this impacts on your teaching.
How do I learn?
How do I learn best? During this week we will focus on how you learn best and how you can make the connections with your own classroom and learners. We encourage you to think more about how we learn as teachers, and how we can create the best conditions for ourselves and our students to learn.
My learning environment
Congratulations, you have stayed throughout the course 'Being a teacher'. I hope you have been making the connection between how you have learned and how you teach. During this week we will focus on 'My learning environment'. We will explore the principles of pedagogy, specifically Alexander’s nine aspects of pedagogy. In the fourth and final lecture, we also revisit some of the key ideas explored on the course.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops pedagogical knowledge and skills, which are core to teaching effectively
Applicable to anyone who teaches, regardless of subject or context
Taught by well-respected professionals from across the Commonwealth
Great starting point for increasing effectiveness as a teacher
Provides dynamic lessons from experts
Builds a community of teachers through an online forum and social media

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Reviews summary

Excellent course for educators

According to students, Foundations of Teaching for Learning is an excellent course that provides important content that is relevant to educators around the world. Students highly recommend this course.
Course provides high quality content.
"Very important courser for teachers around the world! "

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: Being a Teacher with these activities:
Review the Principles of Teaching and Learning
Reviewing the principles of teaching and learning can help you better understand how to create and deliver effective lessons.
Browse courses on Learning Theory
Show steps
  • Read articles or books on the principles of teaching and learning.
  • Watch videos or listen to podcasts about teaching best practices.
  • Attend a workshop or training on teaching and learning.
Read 'The Art of Teaching' by Guy Claxton
This book provides insights into the art of teaching and can help you become a more effective educator.
Show steps
  • Read the book and make notes on the key ideas.
  • Discuss the book with other teachers or students.
  • Apply the ideas from the book to your own teaching practice.
Participate in a Peer Teaching Session
Peer teaching can help you to develop your teaching skills and learn from others.
Show steps
  • Find a partner or group of peers to practice teaching with.
  • Prepare a lesson plan and materials to teach your topic.
  • Teach your lesson to your peers and receive feedback.
  • Reflect on your teaching experience and identify areas for improvement.
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Create a Teaching Portfolio
Creating a teaching portfolio can help you to reflect on your teaching skills and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Collect evidence of your teaching experience, such as lesson plans, student work, and feedback.
  • Organize your evidence into a portfolio that showcases your teaching skills and knowledge.
  • Share your portfolio with others and seek feedback.
Design and Implement a Teaching Intervention
Designing and implementing a teaching intervention can help you to develop your teaching skills and improve student learning.
Show steps
  • Identify a teaching problem or need.
  • Research and develop a teaching intervention to address the problem or need.
  • Implement the teaching intervention in your classroom.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching intervention.
  • Reflect on your experience and identify areas for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Teacher
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course prepares you to enter the teaching field. With this course, you will learn how other teachers develop their approaches to teaching. You will observe several methods and will be able to incorporate them into your own style.
Teaching Assistant
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course could be a helpful resource for someone interested in teaching. The course covers a range of topics including the role of a teacher, and how to impact learning.
Education Administrator
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course may help you with your current or future role as an education administrator. With this course, you will learn how other teachers develop their approaches to teaching. You can then provide structured support for teachers to improve their teaching.
Instructional Coordinator
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course may be useful for someone interested in becoming an instructional coordinator. This course will provide you with strategies for working with teachers and students to improve teaching and learning practices.
Curriculum Developer
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course could help you become a curriculum developer. This course covers a range of topics, including how to reflect on your personal and professional development as a teacher. This course can help you create effective and engaging curricula.
Education Consultant
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course could be useful to someone interested in becoming an education consultant. With this course, you will learn how to develop and strengthen your skills in teaching, professionalism, assessment, and more.
Teacher Trainer
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course could be useful to someone interested in becoming a teacher trainer. This course will provide you with strategies for working with teachers to improve their teaching practices.
Instructional Designer
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course could be useful for someone interested in becoming an instructional designer. This course will help you to develop and deliver effective online and blended learning.
Educational Researcher
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course may be useful for someone interested in educational research. This course will provide you with a solid foundation in the principles of teaching and learning.
Language Teacher
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course may be useful for someone interested in teaching. This course covers a range of topics including the role of a teacher, and how to impact learning.
Homeschool Teacher
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course may be useful for someone interested in homeschooling. This course covers a range of topics including the role of a teacher, and how to impact learning.
Corporate Trainer
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course can be useful to someone interested in corporate training. This course will provide you with methods for developing and delivering effective training programs.
Adult Education Teacher
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course could be useful for someone interested in teaching. This course covers a range of topics, including how to reflect on your personal and professional development as a teacher. This course can provide tools for instructing adult learners.
Youth Development Worker
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course could be useful for someone interested in working with youth. This course covers a range of topics including the role of a teacher, and how to impact learning.
Museum Educator
The Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher course could be useful for someone interested in becoming a museum educator. This course will help you to develop the skills needed to teach visitors about museum collections and exhibitions.

Reading list

We've selected 42 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: Being a Teacher.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on how students learn. It valuable resource to any teacher who wants to improve their teaching practices.
This seminal work by one of the course instructors explores the relationship between teacher development and school effectiveness. It provides insights into how teachers can improve their practice and how schools can create a supportive environment for teacher growth.
Widely accepted guide in classroom management. It can help you develop and implement effective classroom management strategies.
Provides a research-based overview of how the brain learns. It can be helpful for teachers who want to understand the latest research on learning and improve their teaching practices.
Offers a thought-provoking exploration of what makes great teachers different. It emphasizes the importance of teacher identity, self-reflection, and the ability to inspire students.
This practical guide provides evidence-based teaching strategies and lesson planning techniques to help you become an effective teacher. It covers classroom management, student engagement, and assessment.
This classic work on teaching offers insights into the art and craft of teaching, emphasizing the importance of clarity, enthusiasm, and engagement. It valuable resource for educators looking to improve their teaching skills and pedagogical knowledge.
Provides a research-based overview of how people learn, which can be helpful for teachers who want to understand the latest research on learning and improve their teaching practices.
Provides practical advice on how to give effective feedback to students. It can be helpful for teachers who want to improve their feedback practices and help their students learn more effectively.
Provides practical strategies for incorporating brain research into classroom teaching. It can be helpful for teachers who want to learn about the latest research on learning and improve their teaching practices.
Provides research-based insights into the challenges faced by students who live in poverty. It can be helpful for teachers who want to learn about the impact of poverty on learning and develop strategies to support students who are living in poverty.
Provides practical strategies for differentiating instruction for students with learning disabilities. It can be helpful for teachers who want to learn about the latest research on teaching students with learning disabilities and improve their teaching practices.
This resource from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics provides a framework for professional development for educational leaders. It covers areas such as vision and mission, data-driven decision-making, and equity and access.
This influential book synthesizes research on effective teaching practices and provides a framework for understanding the impact of different teaching methods on student learning. It useful reference for educators looking to improve their teaching effectiveness and make informed decisions about instructional strategies.
Discusses the importance of having a growth mindset, which is the belief that intelligence can be developed through effort and hard work. This can be helpful for teachers who want to encourage their students to believe in themselves and their ability to learn.
This seminal work in reflective practice helps develop your understanding of how reflective practice necessary component of effective teaching.
Helps teachers develop their reflective practice skills. It provides tools and techniques for analyzing teaching practices, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and developing strategies for improvement.
Provides practical advice on how to let go of perfectionism and embrace your true self. It can be helpful for teachers who want to learn about the impact of perfectionism on teaching and develop strategies to overcome perfectionism.
This comprehensive textbook provides a foundational understanding of educational psychology. It covers topics such as learning theories, motivation, assessment, and classroom management.
Provides a comprehensive overview of major learning theories and their implications for teaching. It covers topics such as behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and social learning theory.
This research-based book provides practical strategies for creating a positive school climate that supports student learning and well-being. It covers topics such as bullying prevention, restorative justice, and school-wide interventions.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of effective feedback. It explores the different types of feedback, how to give feedback that is specific, actionable, and motivating, and how to use feedback to improve student learning.
Is helpful for getting started with the concept of critical consciousness. It can help you understand how to promote social justice in the classroom.
This powerful memoir provides a unique perspective on the importance of education. It tells the story of a young woman who grew up in an isolated and fundamentalist family and her journey to pursue an education.
This influential book explores the importance of having a growth mindset, where individuals believe that their abilities can be developed through effort and dedication. It provides practical strategies for teachers to foster a growth mindset in their students.
This inspiring book explores the personal and professional challenges of teaching. It encourages teachers to reflect on their own beliefs and values and to develop the courage to teach with authenticity and passion.
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Explores the science of motivation and provides insights into what truly drives human behavior. It challenges traditional notions of motivation and offers practical strategies for creating environments that foster intrinsic motivation and engagement.
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Explores the two systems of thinking that shape human decision-making: System 1, which is fast, intuitive, and emotional, and System 2, which is slow, deliberate, and rational. It provides insights into how these systems interact and how they can be used to make better decisions.
Provides a framework for understanding the challenges of innovation and disruption in established industries. It offers insights into why successful companies often fail to adapt to new technologies and market trends.
Explores the science of willpower and provides practical strategies for developing self-control and achieving goals. It offers insights into the brain's reward system and how it can be harnessed to overcome procrastination and build self-discipline.
Explores the science of culture and provides insights into how successful teams and organizations create a culture of excellence. It offers practical strategies for building a strong team culture and fostering innovation and collaboration.

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