Foundations of Teaching and Learning | The Teaching & Learning Centre | Seneca Polytechnic

Prerequisite for TEL and ITSP

Course Description

Foundations of Teaching and Learning (FTL) is designed to help faculty develop and/or further their proficiencies in the area of curriculum planning, design, delivery, and assessment of student learning. It provides opportunities for faculty to explore links within, across and outside of the curriculum in order to develop a cross-disciplinary, experiential approach to learning that emphasizes diverse learning experiences. FTL is a prerequisite for the other courses in the FDP.

The following questions will be addressed:

• Are the learning outcomes of the courses specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely?
• How do we decide what to teach and how best to do so (design)?
• Who and what should influence those decisions (analysis & planning)?
• What are the implications of those decisions (delivery)?
• How do we know what the students have learned (assessment)?
• How do we know if we made the right decisions (evaluation)?

Along with the above-noted questions, we will explore related topics that reflect and recognize the particular interests, experiences and learning expectations of FTL participants.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of FTL, participants will have demonstrated the ability to:

• Analyze students’ needs and other situational factors that impact curriculum design and development to design curriculum
• Apply Bloom’s Taxonomy to revise/develop course learning outcomes that are SMART and are aligned with program learning outcomes
• Design teaching and learning activities that are linked to the course outcomes and promote the development of Seneca’s core literacies
• Facilitate the learning process, in and out of the classroom, to engage learners in active and collaborative learning activities
• Align assessment practices with subject learning outcomes to ensure that there are assessments as/of/for learning

Prerequisite

As the foundational course, FTL is the prerequisite for both Inclusive Teaching and Scholarly Practice (ITSP) and Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL).

Course Format and Approach

The Foundations of Teaching and Learning course is experientially based and grounded in curriculum and adult learning theory. The course follows a highly interactive seminar format in which students will participate actively in class discussions and debate, augmented by short lectures, guest speakers and resources. It is expected that participants will have ample opportunity to draw on teaching-learning experience in relation to ongoing deliberations about curriculum and each individual participants’ teaching practice. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in reflective practice as we discuss teaching-learning experiences, as well as apply new learning directly to their college classrooms.

Classes will be held once a week for 12 weeks, with additional out-of-class readings and activities as needed.

FTL Deliverables

To be awarded a certificate of completion, participants must participate in class activities and not miss more than one classroom session. In addition, you are required to prepare the following:

• A critique of the learning outcomes of one of the courses that you currently teach that includes a curriculum map showing the link to program outcomes and other courses in the program. Based on the critique, suggest revisions to the outcomes so that they are SMART
• A weekly schedule for a course that links the learning outcomes to the assessments, weekly topics, and teaching and learning activities
• A detailed lesson plan, with clearly stated instructional objectives linked to at least one learning outcome of your course, that lists the resources and teaching and learning activities
• An active learning plan
• An assessment blueprint for a course
• Feedback strategies and sample rubric
• A reflection on a classroom visit
• Teaching philosophy statement

The above deliverables will contribute to the participant’s Faculty Portfolio.

Modes of Evaluation

All deliverables and activities are evaluated as complete / incomplete.