Online Principles of Teaching and Learning University Diploma

Effective Reflective Practice for Practitioners

In this module, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to engage in reflective practice. You’ll explore various theories and models of reflection, understand the role of reflective practice in teaching, and learn how to use it to improve your teaching and learning. Additionally, this module will guide you in using reflective practice to explore your own teaching practices and set future targets.

This module is designed to sit alongside the core modules – theories of teaching and learning, assessment in practice, and pedagogical content knowledge – to give you the opportunity to reflect on your practice through these different lenses.

By the end of the module, you will have had the opportunity to:

• Look at and try different models of reflection
• Think about the place of reflective practice in teaching
• Use reflection to enhance your own practice
• Set targets and think about how you will move your practice forward

Theories of Teaching and Learning

This module will guide you through the core principles of teaching and learning. You’ll develop a personal teaching philosophy, understand the role of active learning in the curriculum, and explore strategies for inclusive and adaptive teaching. Through critical reflection, practical application, and collaborative activities, you'll deepen your understanding of effective teaching practices. This module is designed to provide you with a comprehensive foundation in teaching and learning, encouraging you to reflect critically on your practice and develop skills to support diverse learners.

By the end of this module, you will have had the opportunity to:

• Understand and articulate historical and contemporary theories of learning
• Critically Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different learning theories
• Apply learning theories to design effective instructional strategies and learning environments
• Reflect on your own learning experiences and teaching practices in light of these theories
• Develop skills in assessing and supporting diverse learners using evidence-based approaches

Assessment in Practice

In this module, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of assessment in education, covering its significance, strategies for assessment for learning, effective feedback mechanisms, alignment of taught content with subject knowledge development, and the use of inclusive assessment practices. You’ll explore the three phases of assessment, learn how to use summative assessment formatively, and employ learning outcomes as tools for self-assessment and improvement. This module will provide you with a thorough understanding of assessment practices in education, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to implement effective and inclusive assessment strategies.

By the end of the module, you will have had the opportunity to:

• Define assessment and explain its importance in the educational context
• Identify and differentiate the three phases of assessment
• Develop and apply assessment for learning strategies to enhance student learning
• Implement effective feedback and feedforward strategies to support student progress
• Utilize summative assessment strategies formatively to inform teaching and learning
• Design and apply inclusive assessment practices that cater to diverse learner needs

Pedagogical Content Knowledge

This module delves into the key aspects of pedagogical content knowledge, emphasizing the alignment of taught content with subject knowledge development, achieving pedagogic equilibrium, understanding threshold concepts, and identifying and overcoming bottlenecks in learning. Through critical analysis, practical application, and reflective practice, you’ll enhance your teaching effectiveness and support student learning. This module will provide you with an in-depth understanding of pedagogical content knowledge, equipping you with the skills and strategies to enhance your teaching effectiveness and support student learning.

By the end of this module, you will have had the opportunity to:

• Understand where your own subject knowledge and the taught content on your programme align
• Consider how you develop your own subject knowledge to create further opportunities for coherent and effective teaching
• Understand how to balance content delivery and student engagement
• Identify and address threshold concepts that are crucial for student understanding in your subject area
• Recognise and mitigate bottlenecks in your subject area to facilitate smoother progression for students Brain, Body and Mind

Modules are subject to change and availability.