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EDU10004 Theories of Teaching and Learning

Assessment context

The purpose of this assessment is for you to engage with some of the key ideas represented in contemporary theories that are used in education and explored through this unit. You are required to research theoretical paradigms and relate these to processes of teaching and
learning. Be sure to provide adequate evidence from the unit readings to support your suggestions and claims illustrating how these theoretical paradigms apply to teaching in education settings.

Related unit learning outcomes

This task is assessing your ability to meet the following unit learning outcomes:

1. Describe and compare different learning perspectives and relate them to contemporary theories of learning.
2. Examine how research aligns with theories of teaching and learning and informs education.

Descriptive essay title

Describe two different modes of learning, how they align with contemporary education theories and inform the work of teachers.

Assessment details

This essay requires you to work through a number of stages during the planning and writing of your essay and it is helpful to use the following steps:

1. Modes of learning: Select a pair of learning modes from the options below. Do not separate the pairs as they illustrate aspects of two theories that have differing paradigms.

A mode is a noun that describes “a way or manner in which something occurs or is experienced, expressed, or done” (Dictionary.com). A learning mode is a component of learning constructed by different paradigms, there are many of ways of defining learning, and you are going to discuss two of these.

Choose from:

1. Problem solving (Humanism) and motivation (Behaviourism)
2. Showing/doing (Sociocultural) and multiple ways of knowing (Poststructural)
3. Schemas (developmental) and self-awareness (Psychodynamic)

2. Research: Read the unit literature and online learning materials so you are clear about how your chosen learning modes align with particular theories. In the essay, you will describe how research aligns with understanding theories and how this supports teaching and learning.

3. Links to practice: Think about how these ways of learning occur in education. What pedagogical approaches and strategies can be used to encourage and/or support these modes of learning? What would this look like in an educational setting?

4. Essay planning: Create a Venn diagram, mindmap or use a planning tool to tease out the main ideas of the two different learning modes and plan your essay. Make sure you link the differences between these two learning modes with two different theories. Digital tools like bubble.us and Gliffy can be helpful for mindmaps and graphic organisers. You do not need to submit the planning diagram as part of the assessment.

Use clear headings/sub headings and paragraphs in this essay to add clarity to your writing

5. Essay Introduction: The introduction sets the scene for the background information of your essay. Make sure that you provide a brief overview of the two learning modes and the theories/concepts you will be working with in the essay. Lead the reader through what is being discussed, any specific features of your critique and your rationale outlining why you have chosen to include certain aspects of the subject material.

6. Essay main points:

• Now is the time to think about the learning modes and theories with more depth and identify the theoretical underpinnings of each one. You may refer to specific theorists, however the focus should be on the theoretical paradigm and how it defines learning.
• Provide examples of the benefits and limitations of each theory. You do not have to have an in-depth understanding of the theory; however, you will be able to articulate some of the concepts and main ideas. Your examples should provide detailed discussions that inform what the theory represents, the key theorists and some concepts that are central to the theoretical body of knowledge
• It would be helpful to use the two theories as headings and then describe the theories with example/s from practice.
• Link your discussion to the practice of teaching, providing examples that explain what these are and what they would look like in an education setting. The examples you select to illustrate your theories will therefore align with the underpinnings of your chosen theories and demonstrate how they can be a useful tool for thinking about learning, that may include complex issues like race, class, gender, abilities, families, communities and diversity.

7. Essay conclusion: This section is where you make conclusions about the main arguments you have made in your essay and bring them to a succinct closure. Discuss some of the overall strengths and limitations of using theories in teaching and learning, including reflections from your own learning experiences.

Essential reading for this assessment

Read the weekly materials, in addition to chapter 3 – Student learning in the required unitetext:

1. R. Churchill, P. Ferguson, S. Godinho, N. Johnson, A. Keddie, W. Letts, J. Mackay, M. McGill, J. Moss, M. Nagel, P. Nicholson & M. Vick (Eds.) (2019). Teaching making a difference (Vol. 4). Milton, QLD: Wiley Publishing.