In this section you can find useful professional development resources – including articles, webinars, podcast episodes, research and teaching tips and tools – all to help you develop your skills and knowledge of Understanding my learners.

What does 'Understanding my learners' involve?

We need an understanding of our learners to be able to plan teaching and support learning that enables them to develop to their full potential. This professional practice describes the knowledge, skills, behaviours and attributes we need to develop to inform the way we practise our teaching and support learning with learners who are individuals and part of a particular group of learners. It includes: 

• developing an awareness of the diversity of your learners in relation to their: 

  • cultural background 
  • linguistic background 
  • socio-economic background 
  • educational background

• understanding the diversity of your learners in relation to their: 

  • aspirations  
  • goals  
  • social, emotional and learning needs (which could include a formal needs analysis) 
  • motivations to learn

• recognising and valuing diversity among your learners in relation to their: 

  • age 
  • gender 
  • religion and beliefs 
  • special educational needs (see also Using inclusive practices)
  • race/ethnicity
  • sexual orientation

• identifying the knowledge, resources, skills and attributes that your learners bring to the learning process, such as their ability in the subject, interests, personality, behavioural differences, preferred ways of learning and level of autonomy (See also Planning lessons and courses)

• using your awareness, understanding and recognition of the diversity of your learners to make decisions about your practice

• developing learner agency through training in areas such as learning how to learn, developing independent learning skills, goal setting and identifying preferred learning strategies and preferences. 

• applying an understanding of the impact of the learning environment and group dynamics on your learners

• reflecting on your approach to understanding your learners and the impact this has on their learning.