Learning and Development in Primary Education G (11340.3)

This unit prepares pre-service teachers to appraise and develop teaching practices for primary education based on an advanced understanding of how learning occurs and the social, cultural, environmental, and personal impacts on learning. It critically examines the cognitive, communicative, physical, and social-emotional developmental factors that influence learning and teaching practices in primary education. Building on this developmental foundation, how the brain processes information and learns is explored in depth, with contemporary learning theories critically evaluated in light of this understanding. Students will appraise and design effective teaching practices that support the progression of student learning from novice to expert, in alignment with learning and developmental theoretical and research evidence. This unit lays the foundation for future studies and enables students to develop their pedagogical approaches grounded in theory and research. Students will have the opportunity to apply their learnings through a 15-day placement.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Appraise, design and apply teaching practices that account for key aspects of cognitive, communicative, physical, and social-emotional development that impact student learning in primary education settings;
2. Evaluate social, cultural, and environmental factors that influence student development and learning, and their implications for teaching in primary education settings;
3. Effectively communicate an in-depth understanding of how information is processed and learning occurs within the brain, and critique contemporary learning theories; and
4. Analyse, design and apply teaching practices that align with developmental and learning theories and research, supporting the progression of student learning from novice to expert.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

This unit is only available to students in EDM001 Master of Primary Teaching.

Students must have passed 11336 Curriculum and Assessment in Primary Education G AND 11349 Positive Learning Environments in Primary Education G.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.