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Professor John MacBeath
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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 introductory course considers the three domains of being a teacher: Professional Knowledge and Understanding; Professional Practice; and Professional Values, Relationships and Engagement.
Enhance your course by joining the Commonwealth teaching community on our website, Facebook and Twitter.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/x1t38i/foundations
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What's inside
Syllabus
Being a Teacher: A Professional Privilege
This first week gives an introduction to the course and asks what it is to be a teacher. This is a chance for you to reflect on you own identity and aspirations as a teacher and gain an informed understanding of the world, or worlds, of childhood. You will build on and extend your existing knowledge as a teacher. We will discuss the ways in which teaching can be defined as a profession and what it means to be a professional teacher.
Read more
Syllabus
Being a Teacher: A Professional Privilege
This first week gives an introduction to the course and asks what it is to be a teacher. This is a chance for you to reflect on you own identity and aspirations as a teacher and gain an informed understanding of the world, or worlds, of childhood. You will build on and extend your existing knowledge as a teacher. We will discuss the ways in which teaching can be defined as a profession and what it means to be a professional teacher.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Designed for those in any educational setting, this series provides best practices for teaching and learning
Appropriate for experienced educators wishing to enhance their teaching skills
Provides a strong foundation in teaching principles and methodologies
Delivered by respected educators with a background in teaching
Encourages reflection on teaching practice and professional development
Offers opportunities for collaboration and networking with other educators
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Reviews summary
Solid foundation for aspiring and new teachers
According to learners, this course provides a strong foundational introduction to the principles and practice of teaching. Students found the content broadly applicable across diverse teaching contexts, from schools to workplaces and homes. Many appreciated how the course effectively covers the essential domains of professional knowledge, practice, and values, offering a well-structured overview. While the pace and depth are suitable for beginners, some more experienced educators felt the material was too introductory. The assignments, including the reflective essay, were often cited as thought-provoking and helpful for consolidating learning, making it a valuable first step in the Foundations of Teaching program.
Good pace, introductory depth.
"The course moves at a manageable pace, good for beginners entering the field."
"It's foundational, so don't expect deep dives into complex pedagogical theories."
"Perfect if you need the basics, but maybe too simple if you have years of experience already."
"Provides a good overview without getting bogged down in excessive detail."
Assignments encourage reflection.
"The essay pushed me to really think about my own practice and beliefs."
"Assignments aren't just busy work; they help consolidate learning effectively."
"Found the reflections on my classroom quite valuable for my professional growth."
"The activities prompted me to apply concepts to my specific situation."
Explores knowledge, practice, and values.
"I appreciated the focus on professional values alongside practice and knowledge."
"Covers the essential domains of being a teacher thoroughly for an introduction."
"The syllabus structure makes sense, hitting all the key areas promised."
"It provides a holistic view of the teaching profession."
Relevant for teaching in any context.
"Learned principles applicable whether I teach school kids or adults at work."
"Relevant for anyone, anywhere, who teaches anything."
"The concepts transfer well to different educational environments, very versatile."
"Useful not just for formal classroom teachers but anyone involved in training or education."
Provides an excellent base for teaching.
"This course provides a solid foundation in core teaching concepts."
"It's an excellent starting point for anyone new to teaching or looking to formalize their skills."
"I feel much more confident about the basics after taking this foundational course."
"The course successfully introduces the fundamental aspects of being a teacher."
May be basic for experienced teachers.
"As an experienced teacher, much of this was review rather than new learning."
"I was hoping for more advanced insights or complex strategies."
"Good for newbies just starting out, less so if you've been teaching for many years."
"If you have significant teaching experience, this course might feel superficial."
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: Introduction with these
activities:
Volunteer at a local educational organization or after-school program
Show steps
Gain practical experience and contribute to your community by volunteering at an educational organization or after-school program that supports student learning.
Browse courses on
Community Involvement
Show steps
-
Identify local educational organizations or after-school programs that offer volunteer opportunities.
-
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer roles that align with your interests and skills.
-
Commit to a regular volunteering schedule and actively participate in the program's activities.
Explore online tutorials on innovative teaching practices
Show steps
Stay abreast of current trends and best practices in education by accessing and engaging with online tutorials that showcase innovative teaching approaches.
Browse courses on
Teaching Methodologies
Show steps
-
Identify reputable online platforms or resources that offer tutorials on innovative teaching practices.
-
Select tutorials that align with your areas of interest or professional development goals.
-
Watch the tutorials, take notes, and reflect on how you can incorporate these practices into your own teaching.
Identify and connect with mentors in the field of education
Show steps
Expand your professional network and gain valuable insights by seeking out mentors who can provide guidance and support on your teaching journey.
Browse courses on
Mentorship
Show steps
-
Identify potential mentors within your school, district, or professional organizations.
-
Reach out to the mentors and express your interest in connecting with them.
-
Schedule meetings to discuss your goals and seek advice on specific areas related to teaching.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Review "Discipline with Dignity" by Richard Curwin
Show steps
Increase your knowledge of classroom management and behavior strategies by reviewing this book and applying the concepts within your own teaching practice.
View
Discipline with Dignity
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the book and take notes on key concepts and strategies.
-
Identify specific challenges you are facing in your classroom and explore how the strategies from the book can be applied to address them.
-
Implement one or two strategies in your classroom and track the results.
Facilitate a peer discussion on the role of assessment in teaching and learning
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of the role of assessment and feedback in enhancing student learning by leading a discussion and sharing insights with peers.
Browse courses on
Assessment
Show steps
-
Prepare a brief overview of different assessment strategies and their impact on student learning.
-
Facilitate a discussion among peers, encouraging them to share their experiences and perspectives on assessment.
-
Summarize the key points of the discussion and highlight areas of consensus and debate.
Engage in practice exercises to refine your questioning techniques
Show steps
Enhance your ability to facilitate effective classroom discussions by practicing and refining your questioning techniques through structured exercises.
Browse courses on
Questioning Techniques
Show steps
-
Identify different types of questions and their purposes in the classroom.
-
Engage in practice exercises that involve formulating and posing questions to simulated students.
-
Seek feedback on your questioning techniques and identify areas for improvement.
Develop a lesson plan that incorporates differentiated instruction
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of differentiating instruction by creating a lesson plan that caters to diverse learner needs within your classroom.
Browse courses on
Differentiated Instruction
Show steps
-
Identify the different learning styles and needs of your students.
-
Research and select a range of teaching strategies and activities that accommodate these diverse needs.
-
Create a lesson plan that incorporates these strategies and activities.
-
Implement the lesson plan and observe how students respond to the differentiated instruction.
-
Reflect on the effectiveness of the lesson and make adjustments as necessary.
Participate in an online teaching competition or hackathon
Show steps
Challenge yourself and showcase your teaching skills by participating in an online competition or hackathon that focuses on innovative and effective teaching practices.
Show steps
-
Research and identify online teaching competitions or hackathons that align with your interests.
-
Form a team or collaborate with others to develop a solution or project that addresses the competition's theme.
-
Submit your project and present it to a panel of judges or the online community.
Volunteer at a local educational organization or after-school program
Show steps
Gain practical experience and contribute to your community by volunteering at an educational organization or after-school program that supports student learning.
Browse courses on
Community Involvement
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify local educational organizations or after-school programs that offer volunteer opportunities.
- Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer roles that align with your interests and skills.
- Commit to a regular volunteering schedule and actively participate in the program's activities.
Explore online tutorials on innovative teaching practices
Show steps
Stay abreast of current trends and best practices in education by accessing and engaging with online tutorials that showcase innovative teaching approaches.
Browse courses on
Teaching Methodologies
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify reputable online platforms or resources that offer tutorials on innovative teaching practices.
- Select tutorials that align with your areas of interest or professional development goals.
- Watch the tutorials, take notes, and reflect on how you can incorporate these practices into your own teaching.
Identify and connect with mentors in the field of education
Show steps
Expand your professional network and gain valuable insights by seeking out mentors who can provide guidance and support on your teaching journey.
Browse courses on
Mentorship
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify potential mentors within your school, district, or professional organizations.
- Reach out to the mentors and express your interest in connecting with them.
- Schedule meetings to discuss your goals and seek advice on specific areas related to teaching.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Review "Discipline with Dignity" by Richard Curwin
Show steps
Increase your knowledge of classroom management and behavior strategies by reviewing this book and applying the concepts within your own teaching practice.
View
Discipline with Dignity
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book and take notes on key concepts and strategies.
- Identify specific challenges you are facing in your classroom and explore how the strategies from the book can be applied to address them.
- Implement one or two strategies in your classroom and track the results.
Facilitate a peer discussion on the role of assessment in teaching and learning
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of the role of assessment and feedback in enhancing student learning by leading a discussion and sharing insights with peers.
Browse courses on
Assessment
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Prepare a brief overview of different assessment strategies and their impact on student learning.
- Facilitate a discussion among peers, encouraging them to share their experiences and perspectives on assessment.
- Summarize the key points of the discussion and highlight areas of consensus and debate.
Engage in practice exercises to refine your questioning techniques
Show steps
Enhance your ability to facilitate effective classroom discussions by practicing and refining your questioning techniques through structured exercises.
Browse courses on
Questioning Techniques
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify different types of questions and their purposes in the classroom.
- Engage in practice exercises that involve formulating and posing questions to simulated students.
- Seek feedback on your questioning techniques and identify areas for improvement.
Develop a lesson plan that incorporates differentiated instruction
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of differentiating instruction by creating a lesson plan that caters to diverse learner needs within your classroom.
Browse courses on
Differentiated Instruction
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify the different learning styles and needs of your students.
- Research and select a range of teaching strategies and activities that accommodate these diverse needs.
- Create a lesson plan that incorporates these strategies and activities.
- Implement the lesson plan and observe how students respond to the differentiated instruction.
- Reflect on the effectiveness of the lesson and make adjustments as necessary.
Participate in an online teaching competition or hackathon
Show steps
Challenge yourself and showcase your teaching skills by participating in an online competition or hackathon that focuses on innovative and effective teaching practices.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research and identify online teaching competitions or hackathons that align with your interests.
- Form a team or collaborate with others to develop a solution or project that addresses the competition's theme.
- Submit your project and present it to a panel of judges or the online community.
Career center
Learners who complete Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Introduction will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Secondary School Teacher
Secondary School Teacher
Secondary school teachers lead instructional activities in secondary or high schools. They instruct students in a variety of academic subjects. This course can provide a foundation in the fundamentals of becoming a teacher. It covers the domains of professional knowledge, practice, values, and engagement.
Elementary School Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Elementary school teachers instruct students in academic subjects at the elementary level. They help children develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally. This course introduces the principles of teaching for learning, which can be applied in an elementary school setting.
Higher Education Teacher
Higher Education Teacher
Higher education teachers instruct students at the college or university level. They lead discussions, give lectures, and create curricula. This course examines the domains of being a teacher, which can be applied to teaching students in higher education.
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designer
Instructional designers develop, implement, and evaluate instructional materials and experiences. They use their knowledge of learning theory to create effective learning environments. This course introduces the concepts of effective teaching and learning, which can inform the work of instructional designers.
Educational Consultant
Educational Consultant
Educational consultants provide advice and guidance to schools and other educational institutions. They may work with administrators, teachers, and parents to improve educational outcomes. This course explores the principles of effective teaching and learning, which can be applied to the work of educational consultants.
Curriculum Developer
Curriculum Developer
Curriculum developers create and evaluate educational curricula. They work with teachers and administrators to design learning experiences that meet the needs of students. This course introduces the principles of effective teaching and learning, which can inform the work of curriculum developers.
Learning Consultant
Learning Consultant
Learning consultants help individuals and organizations improve their learning and development. They may work with students, teachers, or businesses to create customized learning solutions. This course can provide a foundation in the principles of effective teaching and learning, which can be applied to the work of learning consultants.
Educational Researcher
Educational Researcher
Educational researchers conduct research to improve the quality of education. They may study teaching methods, curriculum, or student learning. This course provides an introduction to the field of education, including the principles of effective teaching and learning.
Education Policy Analyst
Education Policy Analyst
Education policy analysts research and analyze education policies to inform decision-making. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or think tanks. This course provides an introduction to the field of education, including the principles of effective teaching and learning.
Education Administrator
Education Administrator
Education administrators oversee the operation of schools and other educational institutions. They may work as principals, superintendents, or other leadership roles. This course provides an introduction to the field of education, including the principles of effective teaching and learning.
School Counselor
School Counselor
School counselors provide counseling and support services to students. They may work with students individually or in groups to address academic, social, and emotional issues. This course provides an introduction to the principles of effective teaching and learning, which can be applied to the work of school counselors.
Teacher Assistant
Teacher Assistant
Teacher assistants support teachers in the classroom. They may work with students individually or in small groups to provide additional support. This course can provide a foundation in the principles of effective teaching and learning, which can be applied to the work of teacher assistants.
Tutor
Tutor
Tutors provide individualized instruction to students outside of the classroom. They may work with students on a variety of subjects, including reading, math, and science. This course can provide a foundation in the principles of effective teaching and learning, which can be applied to the work of tutors.
Instructional Coach
Instructional Coach
Instructional coaches work with teachers to improve their teaching skills. They may provide feedback, support, and professional development. This course can provide a foundation in the principles of effective teaching and learning, which can be applied to the work of instructional coaches.
Education Technology Specialist
Education Technology Specialist
Education technology specialists use technology to improve teaching and learning. They may work with teachers to integrate technology into the classroom or develop new educational software. This course provides an introduction to the principles of effective teaching and learning, which can be applied to the work of education technology specialists.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/x1t38i/foundations
Reading list
We've selected 15 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: Introduction.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the theories and practices of teaching and learning, with a focus on how to create a positive and effective learning environment.
Save
Explores the latest research on how children learn, and provides practical advice on how to create a learning environment that is both effective and engaging.
Provides a practical guide to assessment for learning, with a focus on how to use assessment to improve student learning.
Provides an introduction to the teaching profession, with a focus on the art of teaching and how to create a positive and effective learning environment.
Provides an overview of the major learning theories, and how they can be applied to teaching and learning.
Explores the psychological processes involved in teaching and learning, with a focus on how to create a learning environment that is both effective and engaging.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the major learning theories, with a focus on how they can be applied to teaching and learning.
Provides a comprehensive overview of instructional design, with a focus on how to design and develop effective learning programs.
Provides a comprehensive overview of educational measurement and assessment, with a focus on how to design and use assessment tools to improve student learning.
Provides an overview of the teaching profession, with a focus on the ethical and legal responsibilities of teachers.
Explores the concept of reflective teaching, and how to use reflection to improve teaching practice.
Provides an overview of the psychological and cognitive development of children, with a focus on how to create a learning environment that is both effective and engaging.
Provides practical advice on how to create a positive and supportive learning environment, with a focus on the importance of relationships between teachers and students.
Explores the use of technology in teaching and learning, with a focus on how to use technology to create a more effective and engaging learning experience.
Provides practical advice on how to manage a classroom effectively, with a focus on the importance of creating a positive and supportive learning environment.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/x1t38i/foundations
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Effort
3-4 hours per week
Via
Coursera
Institution
Commonwealth Education Trust
Instructor
Professor John MacBeath
Language
English
Transcripts
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