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Professor John MacBeath and Professor Stephen Dinham

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.

This course will emphasise what you can do to act professionally. This includes developing your own philosophy of teaching and making sure that you continue to improve your knowledge and skills. It also considers what it means to be part of a community of professionals, working with others to improve what happens in your school, community and profession.

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

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What's inside

Syllabus

What it means to be a professional
This week we will consider what it means to be a teaching professional. We will ask you to think about your own beliefs about teaching and education in light of the expectations that society has for teachers. We will also reflect on the importance of the teacher and the school to the achievement and development of each child. At the end of this week you will have engaged in a personal reflective process to assist you to think about teaching, what is expected of teachers, and what teaching entails. This is something that we will continue to examine and develop in the remaining parts of the course.
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Ethics, codes of conduct and standards for teachers
Now that we have started to consider teaching as a profession, we will begin to reflect on professional behaviour and ethics in more detail. We will look at the various means that are used to ensure that agreed professional standards are met. The topics covered are: professional ethics; professional distance; the features and uses of professional standards for teachers; the formal procedures around the accreditation of teacher education courses, teacher registration, certification, appraisal, and performance management; and teacher behaviour and codes of conduct. You'll also be encouraged to reflect upon what happens in your particular school or context and how this compares with these more general expectations for teachers and schools held by society and in various parts of the world.
Legal and administrative responsibilities of a teacher
This week we will consider the roles that statute law, judge-made law and case law play in teaching and schooling. We will examine the concept of duty of care, the care that is owed to students by their teachers and school, and its implications for your professional practice. We will also consider the rights and responsibilities of students, parents, caregivers, and teachers. What is and is not reasonable for parents and students to ask for in relation to schooling? You will be encouraged to reflect upon your professional behaviour as a teacher and to consider how these issues might impact upon current practices in your classroom and in your school. You will also be encouraged to discuss these issues with your principal, colleagues, and other course participants.
Developing a personal philosophy of teaching
Building on the last three weeks, we will now consider the importance of developing a personal philosophy of teaching. We will look at the impact that teaching and schools can have on student learning and development, and on student lives more generally. We will examine research that demonstrates how and why views on the impact of teaching have changed over time, and consider some of the big challenges we face in ensuring that every student has access to quality teaching. We will also examine the concept of socio-economic status and its influence on student achievement. An important issue we will emphasize this week is the need for all teaching strategies and approaches to have a strong evidence base grounded in research. We will utilize effect size research to consider those strategies which have lesser and greater effects on student learning. We encourage you to reflect upon your values, beliefs, and current philosophy of teaching.
Being part of a professional learning community
Professional learning has a powerful role in improving teaching and learning. We will consider its impact by looking at research that demonstrates its influence on teacher quality and student outcomes. This will be complemented with case studies of professional learning communities. Some of the most effective types of professional learning are collaborative forms, which are increasingly being utilized through approaches such as action learning. We will consider these collaborative forms, and also look at the use of cycles of enquiry as a means of enhancing the professional learning of teachers. We will also examine the importance and influence of leadership of teachers’ professional learning. In particular, we will look at the various leadership behaviours, actions, and strategies which have been found to be most effective, including instructional leadership. In completing this week’s work you will be encouraged to reflect upon your own professional learning and the professional learning available to you and your colleagues. You will also consider the benefits that arise from teachers working together to enhance their professional learning in order to address issues or problems in their school.
Continuing to develop as a professional
We will conclude this course by examining the need for a teacher to continue to develop as a professional. It is important for teachers to periodically reflect on their teaching, engage in self-assessment, and set goals for future professional learning and development. We will explore important aspects of professional learning such as personal reflection and collaborative reflection, feedback, and observation tools such as rubrics. We encourage you to consider your own professional development needs and develop a personal professional development plan for the next few years. We will conclude this course by asking you to sum up what you have learnt, what might have changed your thinking and how you might change any aspects of your practice in the future.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Developers professional skills including ethics, codes of conduct, legal responsibilities, and ongoing professional development
Focuses on teaching as a profession, emphasizing ethics, codes of conduct, and professional development
Develops strategies for working with others to improve teaching and learning
Suitable for individuals new to teaching or seeking to enhance their skills without an undergraduate degree in education or extensive professional experience
Provides a strong foundation for teaching in any subject or context
Conducts lessons in a dynamic manner using professionals from across the Commonwealth

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Reviews summary

"foundations of teaching for learning" course overview

According to students, Foundations of Teaching for Learning is a wonderful course that educators may find helpful. Students appreciate the knowledge that they are provided.
Helpful course with applicable knowledge
"Wonderful piece of knowledge"
"Rightly said. Teachers can help the present generation and help them to answer their queries."
"Students are inquisitive and eager to learn."

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 Professional with these activities:
Join an online discussion group for teachers
Participating in an online discussion group will expose you to diverse perspectives on teaching, helping you to develop your own philosophy of teaching and further your understanding of ethics in education.
Show steps
  • Research different online discussion groups for teachers.
  • Join a discussion group that interests you.
  • Participate in discussions and share your own insights.
Create a blog post detailing the ethical considerations of teaching
Writing a blog post on the ethical considerations of teaching will allow you to apply your knowledge of the ethical responsibilities expected of you as a teacher. This will help you retain the course content more effectively.
Show steps
  • Identify the ethical principles that apply to teaching.
  • Research different ethical issues that teachers may face.
  • Develop your own perspectives on the ethical issues you have identified.
  • Write a blog post that presents your research and perspectives on the ethical considerations of teaching.
Read "The Reflective Teacher" by Donald Schon
This book provides valuable insights into the process of reflective teaching, which can help you develop your own philosophy of teaching and improve your practice.
Show steps
  • Read the book.
  • Reflect on the book's key concepts.
  • Apply the book's concepts to your own teaching.
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Contribute to an open-source project related to education
Contributing to an open-source project related to education will allow you to apply your knowledge and skills while also making a valuable contribution to the community.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source project related to education that interests you.
  • Learn more about the project and its goals.
  • Identify a way that you can contribute to the project.
  • Make a contribution to the project.
Mentor a new teacher
Mentoring a new teacher will provide you with an opportunity to share your knowledge and experience while also reflecting on your own teaching practice.
Show steps
  • Find a new teacher who is interested in being mentored.
  • Develop a mentoring plan together.
  • Meet with your mentee regularly to provide support and guidance.

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Professional will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Teacher
Teachers provide instruction in a variety of academic subjects to students in a school setting. Based on the information provided, the course will help prepare you for this role by emphasizing what you can do to act professionally. This includes developing your own teaching philosophy and making sure that you continue to improve your knowledge and skills. It also considers what it means to be part of a community of professionals, working with others to improve what happens in your school, community and profession.
Education Administrator
Education administrators oversee the day-to-day operations of schools and other educational institutions.
School Counselor
School counselors provide guidance and support to students in a school setting. This includes helping students with academic, career, and personal/social development.
Instructional Designer
Instructional designers create and develop educational materials and experiences.
Curriculum Developer
Curriculum developers create and evaluate instructional materials and resources.
Policy Analyst
Policy analysts research and analyze public policy issues.
Education Researcher
Education researchers conduct research on educational topics, such as teaching methods, curriculum, and student learning.
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations.
Archivist
Archivists preserve and provide access to historical records and documents.
Librarian
Librarians provide access to and support for information resources in a variety of settings.
Human Resources Manager
Human resources managers oversee the human resources functions of an organization.
Educational Consultant
Educational consultants provide guidance and support to schools and other educational institutions.
Museum Educator
Museum educators develop and deliver educational programs for museum visitors.
Corporate Trainer
Corporate trainers develop and deliver training programs for employees of a company.
Training and Development Manager
Training and development managers oversee the training and development programs of an organization.

Reading list

We've selected 14 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 Professional.
Classic work on the art of teaching. It provides insights into the nature of teaching and learning, and offers practical advice on how to be an effective teacher. The book is written in a clear and engaging style and valuable resource for all teachers.
Practical guide to becoming a reflective teacher. It helps teachers to develop their skills in self-assessment, goal-setting, and professional development. The book is written in a clear and concise style and is packed with practical tips and advice.
Challenges the traditional view of teaching and learning. It argues that teaching should be a subversive activity that helps students to question the status quo and to develop their own critical thinking skills. The book is written in a provocative and engaging style and valuable resource for all teachers who are interested in challenging the traditional view of education.
Provides a practical guide to teaching for understanding. It helps teachers to develop their skills in planning, instruction, and assessment. The book is written in a clear and concise style and is packed with practical tips and advice.
Explores the concept of reflective practice. It helps teachers to develop their skills in reflecting on their experiences and to improve their practice. The book is written in a clear and engaging style and valuable resource for all teachers.
Provides a practical guide to teaching reading. It helps teachers to develop their skills in teaching phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. The book is written in a clear and concise style and is packed with practical tips and advice.
Provides a practical guide to teaching mathematics. It helps teachers to develop their skills in planning, instruction, and assessment. The book is written in a clear and concise style and is packed with practical tips and advice.
Provides a practical guide to teaching social studies. It helps teachers to develop their skills in planning, instruction, and assessment. The book is written in a clear and concise style and is packed with practical tips and advice.
Provides a practical guide to the skills of teaching. It helps teachers to develop their skills in communication, classroom management, and assessment. The book is written in a clear and concise style and is packed with practical tips and advice.
Provides a practical guide to culturally responsive teaching. It helps teachers to create inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students. The book is written in a clear and concise style and is packed with practical tips and advice.
Provides a unique perspective on the art of teaching and learning. It shows how LEGO bricks can be used to create engaging and educational experiences for students of all ages. The book is written in a clear and engaging style and valuable resource for all teachers who are interested in using LEGO bricks in the classroom.
Provides a practical guide to using LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0. It helps teachers to develop their skills in building, programming, and troubleshooting LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 robots. The book is written in a clear and concise style and is packed with practical tips and advice.

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