Understanding Theories of Teaching, Learning & Development
Overview
This unit introduces pre-service teachers to theories of learning and development. They are introduced to the major theories of learning and explore how these relate to teaching processes. Pre-service teachers will be challenged to reflect upon their own belief system and how this relates to different contemporary theories and contexts of learning and its potential impact on teaching. In addition, pre-service teachers will explore how developmental factors impact learning.
Requisites
08-December-2024
23-March-2025
15-June-2025
07-September-2025
30-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Critically analyse key learning theories and relate them to values, beliefs and contexts
- Critically reflect upon personal beliefs about learning and teaching and relate these to contemporary theories and practice
- Apply learning theories to analyse pedagogy and classroom practice
- Evaluate theoretical insights including; intellectual, physical, language, emotional, moral, social and psychological development of children and young people in contemporary society and identify how these insights can influence learning and teaching environments
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
Live Online |
1.00 |
7 weeks |
14 |
Live Online |
1.00 |
2 weeks |
2 |
On-campus |
20 |
1 weeks |
20 |
Specified Activities |
6.00 |
7 weeks |
28 |
Unspecified Activities |
3.50 |
7 weeks |
86 |
TOTAL |
150 |
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning |
18.75 | 8 weeks | 150 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 40% | 1,2 |
| Assignment | Individual | 50% | 3,4 |
| Report | Individual | 40% | 3,4 |
Content
- A focus on Core Content - what is it and how can it be used in classrooms?
- Benefits and limitations of learning theories
- Application of learning theories to practice
- Behavioral perspectives
- Cognitive perspectives
- Constructivist/Socio-cultural perspectives
- Overview of how research is used in education
- The impact of social, cultural and environmental factors on children’s cognitive, emotional and social development
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.