Understanding the learning process

Learning is not the same as performance: it is a much more messy process. It is not simply the cycle of listening, reading, remembering, rehearsing and reproducing (Claxton, 2021)). It follows then that good teaching is also not a straightforward process. Effective teaching depends very much on a teacher’s accurate understanding of the learning process and the complexities that impact on it. 
 
This course delves into the nature of the learning process and how one can make students think harder rather than simply at a surface level. It also explores how teachers can plan for learning and deliver effective classroom lessons for all abilities. 
 
About the course:
Developed by teaching and learning experts.
All aspects of the course are on-line and can be completed at the participants own speed.
Approximate duration: 3-4 hours
Digital certificate available.
 
Who would benefit from the course?
The course would be beneficial for everyone who works with young people and who would like a more in-depth understanding (based on current evidence) of how students learn and how to build opportunities into teaching for 'hard thinking'.  The course is suitable for all key stages although aspects may need to be adjusted for specific age ranges and settings.
 
Aims of the course:
To increase participant knowledge of how students learn.
To increase knowledge of why 'thinking hard' is important in the learning process.
To explore strategies to create opportunities for students to 'think hard'
To review why there is a need for specific and accurate vocabulary instruction.
Increase knowledge about differentiation in the classroom to improve student learning.
To understand the difference between students and how this impacts on their learning.
 
Assessment:
Participants are required to take an on-line assessment on completion of the course. There will be multi-choice questions at the end of the course, the pass mark will be 80%. You can take the assessment as many times as you need to without any extra charge.
 
Course outline 
Liminality and Threshold Concepts
Deliberately difficult thinking
Vocabulary instruction
'Differentiation'. What do we know about it?