Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Learners and Learning

Understanding learners is central to this teaching course. Six modules consider children’s lives, how learning develops, student engagement and the influence of peers. The curriculum also examines how learning transfers beyond its original setting and introduces educational thinkers, encouraging teachers to connect theory with the expectations and experiences students bring to class.

What you will learn

• Consider students’ prior knowledge and expectations
• Examine engagement and peer-group influences
• Relate learning theories to classroom decisions

Who this suits

Designed for people who teach or want to teach in different contexts. The Mixed level reflects a broad professional-development audience, and learners should be prepared to connect the readings and discussions to their own educational setting.

Before you enroll

Plan for about 12 hours of total work, rather than 12 hours of video. The course supports classroom management through understanding learners and organizing engagement; it does not offer individualized child assessment. Avoid treating a theory as a fixed explanation of every student’s behavior. Use observation, student feedback and appropriate specialist advice alongside the ideas, and distinguish the course certificate from a teaching credential.

Coursera offers paid enrollment or subscription access. Check the enrollment screen for assessment and certificate terms, trials and any financial-aid options. Provider access terms can change; review them before paying.

Put it into practice

Choose a fictional learning activity that some students find difficult to join. Describe two possible barriers without labeling the students, then propose an adjustment and a way to ask learners whether the change helped them participate.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on 12 October 2026. It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

View the curriculum and current access options at Coursera.

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