This chapter introduces the concepts of classroom management, routines and procedures, and approaches to inclusive practice through case studies, extracts from theoretical writings and policy documents. The discussion considers differing approaches to classroom management, including practical behaviour management strategies. The role of leadership in developing whole-school practices is highlighted and legal responsibilities, as well as behaviour management options, are included. You will learn about inclusive practice and addressing the needs of diverse learners, which considers the shift from segregation of diverse learners to contemporary practices that have better outcomes for all children. The concept of inclusive practice is contextualised in relation to international developments, the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration, the Australian Curriculum and the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST). This chapter introduces Universal Design for Learning as a framework to support differentiated learning and reasonable adjustments for the diversity of all students in our classrooms, including diversity of sexual orientation and gender identity, ability, culture and language, social and economic situations, and religious beliefs.

Learning is the fundamental process that teachers are seeking to influence in the classroom. But what is learning? And how can we, as teachers, help our students to learn effectively? Learning has been a topic of investigation for centuries. Educators have sought to understand learning through philosophy, observation, experiments and even neuroscience. Learning is a complex human behaviour. As a teacher, you need to understand how your students learn. That means becoming aware of some of the theories people have put forward about how learning works, developing an appreciation for how you can know whether or not learning has occurred in your classroom, and understanding what you can do to maximise the learning possibilities for all of your students. What you will learn in this chapter might surprise you – for example, some of the intuitive ideas we have about learning seem not to be how learning really occurs. This is an important insight for you as a teacher. The students in your classes will often have intuitive ideas about their learning that may not be accurate, particularly when it comes to the use of technology in education. These ideas may come from their home, informal education settings they interact with, from popular media representations, or from elsewhere. It is important to be aware of how learning really works.

This chapter introduces curriculum in schools and the relationship between ideology and ideas as factors shaping education curriculum development. This approach stresses that curriculum is both dynamic and contested, and focuses on the development and implementation of the Australian Curriculum to illustrate how curriculum is shaped at the Commonwealth, state/territory and jurisdictional school levels. The chapter also discusses the key learning areas, cross-curriculum priorities and general capabilities. The intention is to examine how curriculum can be an empowering vehicle to frame content areas, and inform teaching, learning programs and assessment instruments. Concepts such as the overt and hidden curriculum are examined to better understand the nature of school curriculum. Further, there is a recognition that curriculum must be interpreted and contextualised so that it meets the needs of learners at different levels and in different ways. Finally, the notion of teachers as curriculum builders and enactors is a central concept in this chapter.

Theory and potential practices learnt during university teacher education degree programs provide pre-service teachers with a foundation for engaging with the teaching profession, teaching practices, students and other key stakeholders, such as parents/caregivers and community members. Professional experience (sometimes called practicum or work integrated learning) is an opportunity for you, as a pre-service teacher, to apply theory and practices to the classroom context under the guidance of an experienced teacher known as a mentor (also supervising teacher or school-based teacher educator). Professional experience is considered to be the cornerstone for learning about teaching, particularly as it provides opportunities for pre-service teachers to practise the skills and apply the knowledge they have learnt during their university program to the classroom context. An important aspect of professional experience is the professional relationship between the pre-service teacher (mentee) and the mentor teacher that helps to facilitate effective teaching experiences. This chapter focuses on understanding professional experience, looking at preparation for professional experience, engaging in teaching practices within the school, and, lastly, post-professional experience considerations.

This chapter will introduce you to the various education systems in Australia. It focuses on the relationship between the Commonwealth and the state and territory governments, outlines the three schooling sectors – public (government), independent and Catholic – and places the Australia education system within a global context. It starts by offering a historical overview of schooling in Australia and finishes with a look at the future of schooling. The education system is examined, especially in relation to educational outcomes, equity issues and funding. You will also be introduced to support mechanisms available for teachers, including professional development requirements and union membership. To gain an understanding of schooling beyond the classroom, key education documents such as the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration will be examined.

This chapter is an introduction to your teaching degree. It provides opportunities to explore different understandings of education as a career and also serves as an introduction to tertiary study with information to prepare you for successful tertiary study and experiences. You can reflect on your learning through activities, and also critically engage with the ideas presented in this chapter. First, we will look at the university experience for pre-service teachers. There is no one, exclusive or all-encompassing university experience that everyone will undergo in the same way; it is impossible to essentialise student experiences.

This chapter delves into the principles of planning, connecting with Chapter 7 to explore essential considerations for effective teaching and learning. It focuses on the processes and preparations of secondary and primary pre-service teachers Hannah and Matthew as they assess students’ learning needs, select a suitable lesson plan template, implement lessons and reflect on practice. Both Hannah and Matthew are dedicated pre-service teachers committed to challenging themselves and their lerners to achieve success. The chapter explores key factors for effective teaching and learning, including a robust curriculum, student understanding, diverse teaching strategies, differentiation and integrating assessment for informative purposes. This chapter invites you to engage in planning activities for a class of learners. While exploring Hannah and Matthew’s experiences, reflect on your own teaching preparation. Consider how you will plan and prepare for lessons, tailor them to meet learners’ needs, employ teaching strategies for engagement, and integrate assessment into the teaching and learning process. The concept of teacher ‘with-it-ness’ will be introduced, prompting further consideration on fostering positive behavior in your classroom to promote a safe and positive learning environment.

Teacher quality – what teachers do, how they teach and the way they present information – impacts student learning. Effective teaching and learning is a complex human endeavour and there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. In your journey as a pre-service teacher, you will aim to learn as much as you can from your university coursework, professional experiences, lecturers and tutors, and the school teachers that supervise you, as well as drawing on your background knowledge and experience. In this way, you will be prepared with a range of pedagogical approaches, strategies, frameworks and theories that will support you to implement effective teaching and learning, and be the best teacher you can be. Australia’s vastness and diverse population mean future classrooms will host students with varying backgrounds, interests, learning preferences and social, cultural and linguistic needs. Igniting learning in your classroom will require you to know your students and how they learn, plan engaging teaching and learning experiences, monitor their progress, and assess their learning to inform future teaching and learning programs.

We have already explored how students learn both individually and socially, and how teachers draw from a range of learning theories to provide opportunities that motivate and engage students by optimising resources in the learning environment. In this chapter, we drill down into specific teaching approaches and strategies that are aligned with constructivist and sociocultural learning theories. You will undertake the groundwork to prepare you with an array of ideas and tools to be well equipped for teaching. We consider how to foster a classroom environment that supports a rich learning culture, implementing different ways of teaching that, used in combination in professional practice, can assist your students to become effective learners. If you are to foster learning partnerships in the classroom where students have ‘voice and choice’, you will need to understand how to promote their active participation. The chapter concludes with an examination of frameworks that promote powerful learning and effective teaching, and enable students to learn how to learn.

Schools are part of a community and, as such, teachers are involved in a range of interactions with colleagues, parents/caregivers and the wider community. Forming and maintaining positive relationships with a range of stakeholders is an integral part of a teacher’s role and can lead to improved outcomes for students. Teachers also have a range of ethical and legislative responsibilities that will guide their interactions with colleagues, families and the wider community. This chapter provides practical advice to guide you through various approaches to forming and maintaining positive relationships, while also gaining knowledge about how to navigate difficulties that may arise during the course of interacting with others.