Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/being-a-teacher

Introduction

### Course Review: Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher In today's dynamic educational landscape, the art of teaching transcends the mere delivery of knowledge; it involves inspiring and nurturing learners across various contexts. The "Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher" course offered on Coursera is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in honing their teaching skills, regardless of the setting—whether it be in traditional classrooms, at home, or within the workplace. #### Overview This course is a part of the broader Foundations of Teaching for Learning programme and is thoughtfully crafted for individuals who wish to understand the nuances of teaching. Over eight courses, participants engage with the teachings of reputable educators from across the Commonwealth, diving deep into crucial aspects such as professionalism, assessment, and effective teaching practices. The course aims to empower teachers by reinforcing their skills and helping them understand the philosophy and identity of teaching. #### Syllabus Breakdown The course is structured into six comprehensive weeks, each focusing on distinct yet interconnected themes vital to the teaching profession: 1. **What is a Teacher?** In the first week, learners explore the multifaceted role of a teacher, examining what it means to be effective. This week emphasizes the importance of continuous professional development and encourages participants to formulate a personal philosophy of education. 2. **Myself and My Learning** The second week prompts reflections on personal identity as a teacher, motivations for entering the profession, and the influences that shaped those decisions. Through various pedagogical strategies derived from experts, this week emphasizes the importance of understanding classroom dynamics and student responses. 3. **Influences on My Learning** Delving deeper, the third week investigates the influences on teaching styles and communication methods. Engaging with pedagogical theories, participants will reflect on effective communication and the role of questioning versus telling in teaching. 4. **Impacts on My Learning** Week four challenges participants to confront their social identities and how they influence teaching approaches. By encouraging self-reflection on socialization and perceptions of difference, this segment highlights the importance of inclusivity in the classroom. 5. **How Do I Learn?** The fifth week is dedicated to personal learning styles and best practices. Participants are encouraged to identify their learning preferences and relate them to their teaching styles, fostering an environment conducive to learning for both teachers and students. 6. **My Learning Environment** In the final week, learners reflect on their entire journey through the course. The principles of pedagogy are revisited, focusing on nine aspects that can create an optimal learning environment. It’s a comprehensive wrap-up that encourages ongoing reflection and application of learned principles. #### Why You Should Enroll The "Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher" course is an invaluable investment for anyone committed to teaching, whether you're just starting or looking to refine your skills. The course's structured approach, combined with insights from experienced educators, ensures that participants not only learn theoretical aspects of teaching but also engage in practical applications that can be immediately implemented in their teaching practices. The self-reflective nature of the course prompts you to consider your identity and influences as an educator, enabling personal growth alongside professional development. Moreover, by learning how to create inclusive and effective learning environments, you'll be better equipped to meet the diverse needs of your students. #### Conclusion If you're passionate about education and long to inspire learners of all ages, this course is highly recommended. It offers a blend of theory and practice, coupled with significant opportunities for reflection and application. Enrolling in "Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher" will not only broaden your understanding of teaching but also enhance your effectiveness as an educator, ultimately benefiting your students and their learning experiences. Don't miss the chance to elevate your teaching career—join the course today and start your journey towards becoming a transformative educator!

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.