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

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date

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
Workshop

1.00 

7 weeks 

14

Live Online
Workshop

1.00

2 weeks

2

On-campus
Workshop

20

1 weeks 

20

Specified Activities
Various

6.00 

7 weeks 

28

Unspecified Activities
Various

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.