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An understanding of student development and how the environment influences development, are critical for a professional teacher’s decision-making. Additionally, understanding the learning process will assist teachers to create effective and supportive educational environments. Familiarity with typical developmental milestones will assist educators to distinguish between individual differences and atypical developmental differences. Understanding developmental patterns, both typical and atypical, will assist teachers to create inclusive educational environments for diverse learners, as well as informing choice regarding differentiation strategies for use in classroom practice. To perform the ‘teacher as researcher’ role, teachers must develop the knowledge and skills to critically read contemporary and relevant literature related to learners and learning theory.

This course will provide an introduction to key concepts about learner development, specifically cognitive, physical and psychosocial development. The course will examine different explanations for learning, including the behaviourist, cognitive and social-learning perspectives. Individual differences (e.g. intelligence, motivation and social-cultural factors) and how they affect the learning process will also be examined. On the completion of this course, preservice teachers will have an understanding of learner development, which they will utilise to promote creativity, confidence and life-long learning through their professional practice (Alice Springs Education Declaration, 2019: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia, 2019). Preservice teachers will also develop the critical literacy skills to analyse and evaluate research literature. Embedded within the course is a 20 day Professional Experience under the supervision of a registered teacher. Preservice teachers in the Early Years (MELT) program will attend professional experience in a primary school (Foundation - Year 3) The professional experience for preservice teachers in the Primary (MPLT) program will require a placement in a primary school (Foundation - Year 6). The professional experience for preservice teachers in the Secondary (MSLT) program will require placement in year levels from Year 7 to Year 12. which is guided by, but not limited to, their nominated teaching areas.