Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Professional

About this course: 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. This course is part of the Foundations of Teaching for Learning program which is designed to assist people who are currently teaching but have had no formal teacher education improve their understanding of their role and work as a teacher. This set of courses will enhance your knowledge and understanding about learning and teaching and what makes a teacher a professional. Practical activities are provided to assist you in using what you have learned to improve your teaching practice. While these are optional, it is strongly recommended that you undertake them if at all possible. Of particular importance is a guide to the development of a portfolio to help you organize and document your thinking about what you have learned. In addition, you may be able to use the portfolio to access other opportunities in the future.

Created by:  Commonwealth Education Trust

• Taught by:  Professor Stephen Dinham, Chair of Teacher Education and Director of Learning and Teaching

  University of Melbourne, Australia

• Taught by:  Professor John MacBeath, Professor Emeritus

  University of Cambridge, UK

Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.6 stars Average User Rating 4.6See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

Help from your peers

Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.

Certificates

Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.

Commonwealth Education Trust The Commonwealth Education Trust invests in primary and secondary education and the professional development of teachers throughout their careers. Through education it seeks to enhance the opportunities for children from all walks of life to contribute to the sustainable development of their communities.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


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.


4 videos, 5 readings expand

1. Reading: Syllabus
2. Reading: Grading and Logistics
3. Reading: Portfolio
4. Reading: FAQ
5. Reading: Outline for Week One
6. Video: Teaching as a profession – characteristics of a profession and a professional
7. Video: What society expects of teachers
8. Video: The importance of the teacher to student outcomes and development
9. Video: My reasons for becoming a teacher

Graded: Quiz 1

WEEK 2


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.


5 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Reading: Outline for Week Two
2. Video: Ethical, professional behavior for teachers
3. Video: Features and uses of professional standards
4. Video: Registration, certification, appraisal and performance management
5. Video: Codes of conduct and discipline of teachers
6. Video: Interview One

Graded: Quiz 2
Graded: Peer Assessment One

WEEK 3


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.


5 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Reading: Outline for Week Three
2. Video: The duty of Care
3. Video: Negligence (Part 1)
4. Video: Negligence (Part 2)
5. Video: A duty to educate
6. Video: The rights and responsibilities of students, parents and teachers

Graded: Quiz 3

WEEK 4


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.


5 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Reading: Outline for Week Four
2. Video: How teaching and education changes lives
3. Video: Evidence on effective teaching (1)
4. Video: Evidence on effective teaching (2)
5. Video: My values, beliefs and current philosophy of teaching
6. Video: Interview Two

Graded: Quiz 4
Graded: Peer Assessment Two

WEEK 5


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.


4 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Reading: Outline for Week Five
2. Video: The power of professional learning
3. Video: Professional learning communities in education
4. Video: Action learning using evidence
5. Video: The role of leadership in professional learning

Graded: Quiz 5

WEEK 6


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.


5 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Reading: Outline for Week Six
2. Video: Reflection, self-assessment and goal setting
3. Video: Gaining and utilising feedback from others
4. Video: Formulating a personal professional development plan
5. Video: Keeping a balanced life – teacher stress and satisfaction
6. Video: Interview Three

Graded: Quiz 6