Foundations of Professional Learning unit (EAL102)

Online

Introduction

This unit emphasises the value of collaboration, feedback, and evidence-informed reflection as foundations for professional learning. In this unit you will be introduced to professional teaching standards and frameworks that support effective teaching practice across a range of educational contexts. You will explore how professional standards inform teaching, learning, and ongoing professional growth, and will begin to develop the skills required to reflect on and improve your own practice. The knowledge and skills gained in this unit provide a foundation for ongoing professional learning and development throughout the course and into your future professional practice.

Summary

Unit name	Foundations of Professional Learning
Unit code	EAL102
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Faculty of Education
Discipline	Education
Coordinator	Mr Timothy Atkins
Available as an elective?	No
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1

Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/02/2027	16/03/2027	19/04/2027	13/06/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• 1. Describe the role of professional teaching standards and explain their relevance to teaching practice and student learning.
• 2. Analyse own teaching practice in relation to selected professional standards, identifying personal strengths and areas for further development.
• 3. Apply reflective practice processes, feedback from colleagues, and relevant educational literature to enhance understanding of your own professional practice.
• 4. Develop evidence-informed goals for professional learning that support ongoing improvement in teaching practice and student learning outcomes.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
070109	$613.00	$613.00	not applicable

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	You are expected to dedicate around ten hours per week to this unit. This may be divided as follows: Weekly Lecture  (1 hour); Weekly Readings (3 hours); Weekly Tutorial (1 hour); Weekly Discussion Boards (1 hour); Assessment preparation (4  hours). It cannot be emphasised enough that your progress in this unit depends on your engagement with weekly online  tutorials and discussion boards
Assessment	Professional practice conversation (20%)|Strength Analysis Draft (40%)|Strength Analysis and Reflection (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Kemmis, R.B., & Atkins, L. (Eds.). (2014). Teaching in the VET sector in Australia. David Barlow Publishing. Reading Lists provide direct access to all material on unit reading lists in one place. This includes eReadings and items in Reserve. You can also access the Reading List for this unit from the link in MyLO.

Recommended

Adoniou, M., & Gallagher, M. (2017). Professional standards for teachers – what are they good for? Oxford Review of Education, 43(1), 109-126. Brookfield, S. D. (1995). Becoming a critically reflective teacher. Jossey Bass. Brookfield, S. D. (2015). The skillful teacher: On technique, trust and responsiveness in the classroom. Jossey-Bass. (Available as an eBook from the UTAS library). Çimer, S. O. (2011). The effect of portfolios on students' learning: Student teachers' views. European Journal of Teacher Education, 34(2), 161-176. Costantino, P. M., & De Lorenzo, M. D. (2009). Developing a professional teaching portfolio: A guide for success (3rd ed.). Pearson. Lynn, S. K. (2002). The winding path: Understanding the career cycle of teachers. The Clearing House, 75(4), 179-182. Mulcahy, D. (2003). Teaching standards and professionalism in TAFE: Prospects, possibilities and pitfalls. Paper presented at The 6th AVETRA Annual Conference: The changing face of VET, Sydney. Available from http://www.avetra.org.au/Conference_Archives/2003/abstracts.shtml Rocco, S. (2010). Making reflection public: Using interactive online discussion board to enhance student learning. Reflective Practice, 11(3), 307-317. Sachs, J. (2003). Teacher Professional Standards: Controlling or developing teaching? Teachers and Teaching, 9(2), 175-186. Shepherd, M. (2006). Using a learning journal to improve professional practice: A journey of personal and professional self-discovery. Reflective Practice, 7(3), 333-348.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.