Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Introduction from Coursera

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.

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.

Thinking About Learning

The videos in this week are all related to the theme of children and young people’s learning. The emphasis is on thinking ‘skills’ – learning how to think effectively and creatively. We ask how you as a teacher ensure that students are thinking while they are in your classroom. You will write an essay which brings together the various strands of your learning. This is for your own professional development, but it will also help you to consider what the implications are for teaching and learning in your own classroom.

How Good is My Classroom?

This week is focused on the classroom and asks you to consider the question ‘How good is my classroom?’ It asks you to revisit, replay, and bring together the many ingredients that make a classroom a stimulating place for learning and an enjoyable and engaging place for teaching. We come back to the importance of assessment for learning. As Dylan Wiliam says, ‘assessment is minute by minute in the classroom’, not simply something that happens at the end of the course.

Continuing to Learn in a Changing World

This week focuses on ways that we can help children to live and learn in a world of change. We will consider the importance of cultivating creativity and acknowledging multiple types of intelligence. We will also look at learning that takes place informally outside of school. We will identify key features of excellent practice in schools and look at the benefits of professional development. This is the final week of this course. If you have stayed with us to the end, congratulations! This may be an ending but it is also a beginning as you move on to the next course.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

Reviews summary

Introduction to teaching for learning

According to students, this course offers learners an in-depth introduction to teaching. It encourages student learning and emphasizes learning from a student-centered perspective. Many students felt confident in participating in the classroom after taking the course. Overall, students were happy with this course and how it prepared them for teaching.

This course emphasizes student-centered learning.

"This course is really amazing. it gives you confidently how to get at the process of learning and teaching in the classroom."

"Each student is unique and the most important purpose is to encourage the student to find out his ability with joyful teaching ways."

This course helped students feel more confident in teaching.

"This course is really amazing. it gives you confidently how to get at the process of learning and teaching in the classroom."

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Review "Discipline with Dignity" by Richard Curwin

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Enhance your ability to facilitate effective classroom discussions by practicing and refining your questioning techniques through structured exercises.

Browse courses on Questioning Techniques

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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

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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

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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

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Challenge yourself and showcase your teaching skills by participating in an online competition or hackathon that focuses on innovative and effective teaching practices.

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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 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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Secondary 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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Elementary School 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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Higher Education Teacher

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Consultant

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Learning Consultant

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.

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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Policy Analyst

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Administrator

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Counselor

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher Assistant

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.

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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Coach

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Technology Specialist