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The Heart of Teaching: Reflective Practice in Teaching and Learning

Learn to build strong, supportive relationships in the classroom to foster inclusivity and create positive learning environments.

Diverse group of students round a table studying together

The Heart of Teaching: Reflective Practice in Teaching and Learning

  • 5 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Intermediate level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    5 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Shape inclusive education within your classroom and beyond

As educational demands grow, relational pedagogy has become a key focus, reshaping how educators and students engage with one another and how learner needs are met.

On this five-week course from the University of East Anglia, explore the power behind relationships within the learning context and gain teaching strategies that allow you to stay attuned to the latest in learning.

By the end, you’ll become an advocate for inclusive teaching, leading educational environments with kindness, empathy, and respect.

Build your relational pedagogy foundation

Start your learning journey by exploring the impact of your identity on your teaching practice. Reflect on how your values, purpose, and intersectionality shape the way you connect with students and influence your approach to teaching.

Through engaging videos and articles, you’ll learn to embrace a growth mindset that enhances your relational pedagogy and encourages positive student engagement.

You’ll then examine the various types of bias and their impact on your teaching practice, gaining insight into strategies that promote equity in higher education and empower educators to foster more inclusive student learning environments.

Plus, learn to engage in reflective practice, developing attunement to diverse student needs and perspectives to create a more supportive and equitable classroom.

Transform your teaching through connection

Near the end of this course, you’ll put your skills into practice, furthering your connections within the classroom and driving positive student and teacher development.

You’ll walk away with a refined approach to education, integrating feedback and strategies that empower both you to create spaces where everyone can succeed.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    The impact of identity

    • educator talking to students in a classroom

      Welcome to the course

      In this activity, you’ll get a quick overview of the course, meet your instructors, and introduce yourself to fellow learners.

    • an educator helping a student

      Relational pedagogy and identity

      This activity explores theories influencing relational pedagogy, introduces identity, examines intersectionality, and guides you in reflecting on your teaching identity, purpose, and values.

    • an educator talking to a student

      Pedagogy in practice

      In this activity, explore how your influence and personality shape teaching. Learn to foster meaningful connections with your learners, enhancing their educational experience and your teaching effectiveness.

  • Week 2

    The power of perspective

    • educator talking to students in a classroom

      The reflective scholar

      In this activity, explore the importance of reflection for self-awareness and understand how perspective influences teaching. Enhance your ability to critically evaluate and improve your educational practices.

    • students discussing ideas

      Nurturing mattering

      In this activity, explore pedagogies of mattering, understand and value diverse perspectives, and examine the growth mindset’s educational implications. Learn practical ways to nurture a sense of mattering in your teaching.

    • multicultural students talking to each other in a classroom

      Teaching from multiple angles

      In this activity, explore pedagogies of mattering, intersectional pedagogy, and creating a safe, inclusive learning environment. Delve into communication styles and learn to create inclusive learning content for diverse learners.

  • Week 3

    Navigating bias

    • educator talking to students in a classroom

      Understanding bias

      In this activity, explore the concept of bias and its various types. Understand how biases can impact teaching and learning, and learn strategies to recognize and mitigate them in your educational practice.

    • an educator talking to a student

      Empowering educators for success

      In this activity, explore your emotional intelligence, recognize the influence of bias in teaching, understand the power of expectations, and move towards relational pedagogy in higher education to empower you as an educator.

    • students discussing ideas

      Strategies for equity in Higher Education

      In this activity, explore Powergogy, understand the impacts of bias in practice, and identify barriers to learning. Develop strategies to promote equity in higher education and create an inclusive learning environment.

  • Week 4

    The teaching context

    • educator talking to students in a classroom

      The essential role of the educator

      In this activity, explore Bloom’s affective domain in taxonomy, understand your presence in the learning space, and enhance your teaching presence. Discover the essential role you play in shaping engaging learning experiences

    • multicultural students talking to each other in a classroom

      Exploring diverse teaching approaches

      In this activity you'll explore a variety of teaching approaches to enhance your educational practice. Learn how to adapt your methods to meet diverse learner needs and create an inclusive, engaging learning environment.

    • students discussing ideas

      Beyond words: understanding learner needs

      In this activity you will explore the importance of communication and learn strategies to enhance the learner experience. Understand how to effectively address and meet diverse learner needs beyond just words.

  • Week 5

    The human touch

    • an educator helping a student

      Cultivating connections

      In this activity, you'll explore the importance of human connection, embrace relational pedagogy, and reflect on your continuous learning journey to cultivate meaningful connections in the evolving landscape of education.

    • multicultural students talking to each other in a college classroom

      Transforming education through connection

      In this activity, explore building community and student belonging virtually, enhancing the teacher/student relationship, leveraging the power of personal connection, and understanding the student perspective to transform.

    • students discussing ideas

      Empowering change in academia

      In this activity, you'll explore the importance of human connection, conduct self-assessment, and leverage peer and learner feedback to empower your teaching practices and foster a more engaging academic environment.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe the principles of strong relational pedagogy and its impact on student learning.
  • Develop skills for building positive relationships with students and colleagues.
  • Explore strategies for creating an inclusive classroom environment that fosters kindness and respect.
  • Identify how learner engagement and belonging are interlinked.
  • Reflect on personal teaching practices and identify areas for growth in relational approaches.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for educators, teachers, clinical educators, and educational support staff who are eager to enhance their teaching practice.

It’s ideal for anyone looking to create safe, inclusive learning environments that foster meaningful connections and promote growth for both learners and instructors.

Who will you learn with?

Lauren Flannery

Lauren Flannery (BSc (Hons), MA, MRCSLT, HCPC, SFHEA) is a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and a Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences at the University of East Anglia.

Elizabeth Scholefield

Dr Elizabeth Scholefield (BSc (Hons), PgDip, PhD, FHEA) is a lecturer and psychologist in education at the University of East Anglia, UK.

Who developed the course?

UEA - University of East Anglia logo

UEA (University of East Anglia)

The University of East Anglia is an internationally renowned university providing top quality academic, social and cultural facilities to over 15,000 students from over 100 countries around the globe.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 12 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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