Understanding Theories of Teaching, Learning & Development
Duration
- One Semester
Contact hours
- 24 Hours
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
Aims and objectives
This unit introduces pre-service teachers to theories of learning and development. They are introduced to the major perspectives 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.
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Analyse key learning theories and relate them to values, beliefs and contexts.
2. Reflect upon personal beliefs about learning and teaching and relate these to contemporary theories and practice.
3. Apply their understanding of learning theories to analyse pedagogy, assessment and classroom practice.
4. Describe and communicate knowledge and understanding of the intellectual, physical, language, emotional, moral, social and psychological development of children and young people in contemporary society and how these may affect learning.
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Analyse key learning theories and relate them to values, beliefs and contexts.
2. Reflect upon personal beliefs about learning and teaching and relate these to contemporary theories and practice.
3. Apply their understanding of learning theories to analyse pedagogy, assessment and classroom practice.
4. Describe and communicate knowledge and understanding of the intellectual, physical, language, emotional, moral, social and psychological development of children and young people in contemporary society and how these may affect learning.
Courses with unit
This unit will be offered for the final time Semester 1 2021Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
This Unit will involve up to 150 hours of work including:
| Type (On-campus) | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
| Face to Face Contact Workshop |
3 |
8 |
24 |
| Online Contact | N/A | ||
| Specified Learning Activities Prescribed readings Online activities | 6 | 12 | 72 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities Independent study, assignment preparation, readings | Recommended | 54 | |
| TOTAL | 150 hours/12.5cp |
Assessment
| Types | Individual or Group task | Weighting | Assesses attainment of these ULOs |
| Presentation * | Individual | 20% | 1, 2 |
| Essay | Individual | 40% | 1, 4 |
| Reflection of classroom practice | Group | 40% | 3, 4 |
* Pre-census assessment: due week 3, feedback week 5.
General skills outcomes
During this unit, students will receive feedback on the following key generic skills:
• Teamwork Skills
• Analysis Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Communication Skills
• Ability to work independently
• Teamwork Skills
• Analysis Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Communication Skills
• Ability to work independently
Content
• Application of learning theories to practice
• Applying developmental theory in adapting pedagogy to the developmental level of students.
• Assessment theories
• Behavioural perspectives.
• Benefits and limitations of learning theories.
• Cognitive perspectives.
• Complexities of learning.
• Constructivist/Socio-cultural perspectives.
• Contemporary theories from different perspectives.
• Key theorists in psychological and social development of children.
• Overview of how research is used in education.
• Post structural perspectives.
• The impact of social, cultural and environmental factors on children’s cognitive, emotional and social development.
• What is a learning theory?
• Where do theories come from and how are they used?
• World views and their impact on practice.
• Applying developmental theory in adapting pedagogy to the developmental level of students.
• Assessment theories
• Behavioural perspectives.
• Benefits and limitations of learning theories.
• Cognitive perspectives.
• Complexities of learning.
• Constructivist/Socio-cultural perspectives.
• Contemporary theories from different perspectives.
• Key theorists in psychological and social development of children.
• Overview of how research is used in education.
• Post structural perspectives.
• The impact of social, cultural and environmental factors on children’s cognitive, emotional and social development.
• What is a learning theory?
• Where do theories come from and how are they used?
• World views and their impact on practice.
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
A list of reading materials will be made available in the Unit Outline.