Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Curriculum

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

Introduction

# Review of the Course: Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Curriculum If you're looking to enhance your teaching skills, whether in a classroom, at home, or in a workplace setting, the "Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Curriculum" course on Coursera is an excellent choice. Offered as part of a comprehensive program designed for aspiring and current educators, this course provides an in-depth exploration of curriculum development and its intersection with effective teaching practices. ## Course Overview The program spans **eight courses** and is facilitated by seasoned professionals from across the Commonwealth. It is structured to develop essential skills in teaching, professionalism, and assessment, allowing participants to cultivate a holistic understanding of the education landscape. The engaging and dynamic lessons aim to empower educators to make informed decisions that directly impact student learning and engagement. ## Syllabus Breakdown The course is structured week by week, with each module focusing on a specific aspect of curriculum and its application in education. ### Week 1: Getting to Know the Curriculum This foundational week emphasizes the relationship between educators and the curriculum. It addresses key concepts such as the nature of the curriculum, the teacher’s role, and adaptation strategies. Participants will broaden their understanding of how curriculum design influences students' educational experiences, laying the groundwork for effective teaching practices. ### Week 2: Curriculum Development In the second week, the discussion deepens to explore the mechanisms that govern educational systems. Key topics include curriculum formulation, the necessity of curricular frameworks, and administration strategies. This module is particularly beneficial for educators looking to understand the broader context of curriculum within their educational systems. ### Week 3: Putting Students First This week shifts focus to student-centered teaching. Participants learn about the critical relationship between the teacher, curriculum, and students. The emphasis here is on contextualizing the curriculum to meet diverse student needs. Topics include individualized learning strategies and theories of student learning, making it essential for educators aiming to create inclusive learning environments. ### Week 4: Putting Curriculum to Work In this practical module, participants synthesize previous lessons into actionable teaching strategies. It covers curriculum interpretation, lesson planning, and creating engaging learning activities. This week is crucial for translating theory into practice, enabling educators to bring lessons to life for their students. ### Week 5: Theories and Theorists This week offers an overview of the philosophical underpinnings of education. Participants will explore influential educational theories and theorists, understanding how these philosophies shape curriculum and teaching approaches. This knowledge is vital for educators seeking to refine their teaching methodologies and develop a well-rounded educational philosophy. ### Week 6: Optimizing Curriculum Outcomes The final week focuses on maximizing curriculum effectiveness by examining various collaborative learning frameworks and self-assessment techniques. Importantly, participants will engage with concepts like pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and the significance of professional learning communities. This reflective week encourages educators to evaluate their learning and consider how they can apply insights gained throughout the course. ## Recommendations I highly recommend this course for both novice and seasoned educators. The comprehensive nature of the syllabus, coupled with the focus on real-world application, makes it a practical choice for teachers across various contexts. Whether you're looking to refine your skills in lesson planning, adapt the curriculum for diverse learners, or understand educational theories, this course provides the tools you need to succeed. Moreover, the collaborative learning environment fosters discussion and exchange of ideas among participants, enhancing the learning experience. By the end of the course, you will not only have a toolkit of strategies for effective teaching but also a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of curriculum development. In conclusion, "Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Curriculum" is a valuable asset for anyone involved in education. It empowers educators to build stronger connections with their curriculum and students, leading to more effective teaching outcomes. Enroll now and take the next step in enhancing your educational impact!

Syllabus

Getting to know the curriculum

This week introduces the course's emphasis on the relationship between the teacher and the curriculum. The sessions this week deal with three basic topics: the concept of curriculum, the teacher’s curriculum, and adapting to curriculum. These topics will help to broaden your understanding of curriculum and the ways in which it effects students’ experience.

In this week we explore the fundamental issues of curriculum in greater depth, examining mechanisms that underpin the entire system of education in a country. The topics covered are: curriculum formulation, the need for curriculum, curriculum process, and administration of curriculum.

The focus of this week is learning before teaching – putting students first. You will learn about the three-way relationship of the teacher, the curriculum, and the students. As a teacher, you have to be able to contextualize a curriculum that has been made available to you. The curriculum is a general set of content and pedagogic strategies which have to be made real, relevant, and as contextualized as possible for each and every one of the students. The topics to be covered this week are: the three-way relationship, learning as student-specific, theories of student learning, and student-centered teaching.

This week we will bring together some important aspects of teaching and learning that were discussed in the previous weeks. The sessions cover issues of interpretation, designing learning activities, planning lessons, and bringing lessons to life.

We will begin this week by briefly summarizing some philosophical insights into education which have hugely influenced curriculum. You can become a better teacher by learning about philosophical contributions to the practice of teaching. We present the idea of educational philosophy as a system of beliefs and values that affect thinking about education, how it may be conceived, and how it is engaged with by students and by teachers so as to produce desired outcomes.

In this final week we will focus on four main topics: amplifying the role of curriculum, communities of learning, self-check, and the final dialogue. We will look at Lee Shulman’s theoretical work ‘pedagogical content knowledge’ (or PCK). Additionally, we will at collaborative learning and take a look at a powerful developing idea - the professional learning community. You will also reassess your knowledge of curriculum through a discussion of six key questions. Finally, we will reflect on what you will take away from the course.