Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Professional

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

Introduction

**Course Review: Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Professional** In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, the significance of effective teaching professionals cannot be overstated. Coursera's course, **"Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Professional,”** is designed to equip those who aspire to teach, regardless of context—be it in schools, at home, or within the workplace—with the foundational skills and knowledge necessary for success. This eight-course program, led by respected figures in the education sector from across the Commonwealth, provides a comprehensive exploration of essential teaching principles, professionalism, and pedagogical practices. ### Overview of the Course Syllabus 1. **What it Means to be a Professional:** The course opens by prompting participants to reflect on their beliefs and definitions of professionalism in teaching. It encourages an introspective analysis of societal expectations for educators and highlights the integral role teachers play in the growth and development of students. This foundational week sets the stage for the enriching journey ahead, fostering a deep understanding of what it truly means to be an educator. 2. **Ethics, Codes of Conduct, and Standards for Teachers:** A thorough exploration of professional ethics characterizes this segment. Participants examine various frameworks that uphold professional standards, including accreditation processes and performance management systems. Important discussions about the codes of conduct provide not only a global perspective but also encourage personal reflections concerning the norms in participants’ respective contexts. 3. **Legal and Administrative Responsibilities of a Teacher:** Understanding the legal landscape in education is crucial. This week covers the legal obligations teachers have toward students and the implications of duty of care. By delving into rights and responsibilities surrounding education, participants gain concrete knowledge on how legal principles affect their everyday teaching practices. 4. **Developing a Personal Philosophy of Teaching:** One of the most impactful aspects of this course is the emphasis on developing a personal teaching philosophy. Throughout this week, participants reflect on the broader impact of teaching, supported by research on student achievement and socio-economic influences. This modul encourages educators to construct evidence-based strategies that resonate with their individual beliefs and values. 5. **Being Part of a Professional Learning Community:** This section presents the concept of collaborative learning as a catalyst for professional growth. It examines how collaborative practices—such as action learning—can enhance teaching quality and foster student success. The insights into effective leadership within professional learning communities add another dimension, guiding participants to consider the dynamics of teamwork and shared learning experiences. 6. **Continuing to Develop as a Professional:** The course concludes with a focus on lifelong learning and self-assessment. It encourages teachers to engage in continuous reflection, goal-setting, and the development of personal professional development plans. This week serves as a powerful reminder that the journey of professional growth and improvement is ongoing, advocating for a proactive approach to evolving in the teaching profession. ### Why You Should Take This Course **Comprehensive Learning Experience**: With a diverse syllabus that encompasses ethics, responsibilities, philosophy, and collaboration, this course provides a well-rounded foundation that every aspiring or current teacher should possess. **Expert Guidance**: The lessons are delivered by esteemed professionals with real-world experience, ensuring that participants are gaining insights from those who understand the challenges and rewards of teaching. **Reflective Practice**: The structured reflective tasks embedded in the course allow for personal growth, helping educators align their practices with their core beliefs and values. **Flexibility and Accessibility**: The online format allows for flexibility, making it convenient for busy educators to engage with the material at their own pace. **Recognition of Professional Development**: Completing this course not only enhances knowledge and skills but can also be beneficial for professional accreditation processes. ### Final Recommendation The "Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Professional" program on Coursera comes highly recommended for those in or aspiring to enter the teaching profession. It equips participants with essential skills, fosters critical reflection, and promotes a community of learners dedicated to professional excellence. Whether you are a novice teacher or someone looking to refine your practice, this course can provide invaluable insights and tools for your teaching career. Embrace the journey of professional learning and invest in your future as an educator by enrolling in this course today!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.