This free course, Making sense of learning to teach, is the first of four courses which comprise the course Learning to teach. It draws on what we know about how people learn to become teachers. It explores the different approaches to teacher education and the different routes into teaching. It will help you to understand the philosophical and practical differences between the different approaches. It draws on research about students' experiences of learning to teach and considers the implications of this in designing teacher education programmes.

This is the third of four courses which comprise the course Learning to teach. Critical reflection is crucial to becoming a successful teacher. This free course, Becoming a reflective practitioner, explains what is meant by reflective practice and how to ensure that reflection leads to learning. As a beginner teacher you will encounter many contradictions and challenges in school; you will learn to teach in a particular context but will need to be able to transfer your learning to new contexts. Critical reflection will help you to do this. This free course explores the different models of critical reflection, knowledge of which will help you to structure your practice and evaluate whether you are reflecting and therefore learning effectively.

This free course, A mentoring mindset (Meddylfryd mentora), will support anyone based in an education setting to develop an understanding of effective mentoring of beginner teachers in the initial teacher education and newly qualified phases. It has been designed using the experiences of colleagues working within the Welsh education system, but the messages about the principles of effective mentoring and coaching and the important role mentors have as teacher-educators within the school-based context remain the same across education systems.

The course will aid your understanding of the role of a mentor supporting a beginner-teacher as they progress along a continuum of familiarisation with and consolidation of principles of teaching and learning, through to autonomous practice. Mentoring as professional development is also explored, as you engage in reflection on your own teaching and leadership practices.

Explore what mentors and career coaches do and how a colleague or expert who can ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and help an individual to find the best solutions for themselves, can make a significant difference in a wide range of situations and contexts.

In this free course, Workplace learning with coaching and mentoring, you will consider theoretical and practical issues in planning and managing learning and talent development programmes in your organisation. You will also explore ideas about coaching and mentoring; both are prominent learning and development tools in contemporary organisations. You will also learn about how different learning theories and philosophies become concrete in the practical decisions you make about learning and talent development. The course is designed to encourage critical and personal reflection on these practices which will enhance your learning.