The Professional knowledge domain incorporates knowing students and how they learn and knowing the content and how to teach it. This means that teachers need to understand the implications of learning for students of diverse cultural, social, and linguistic backgrounds, and further students’ physical, and intellectual characteristics (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, 2011). Using ongoing data collection and gaining an in depth understanding of students’ backgrounds, such as family relationships, traditions, and views of education teachers can identify student strengths and make links between their current knowledge and new learning content (Santoro & Kennedy, 2016).
In addition to knowing students and how they learn teachers also need to understand the curriculum and how to design lessons that motivate 21st century learners. Using the three dimensions of the Australian Curriculum; learning areas, general capabilities, and cross curriculum priorities teachers can design and deliver rich and authentic lessons that help to build the competencies required in the 21st century, including literacy, numeracy, creative and critical thinking, and ICT skills. By connecting student learning to the real world, teachers acknowledge the sociocultural perspectives of learning, incorporating collaborative classrooms and promoting student interactions to build positive relationships (Jameson, 2015; Vygotsky, 1978).
Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (2011). Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, AITSL. https://www.aitsl.edu.au/standards
Jameson, S. (2015). Linking Literature: Learning to Teach Children’s Literature using ‘real world’ book clubs. The International Journal of Learning in Higher Education, 22(3), 13-22. https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-7955/CGP/v22i03/48619
Santoro, N. & Kennedy, A. (2016) How is cultural diversity positioned in teacher professional standards? An International analysis, Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 44(3), 208-223, https://DOI: 10.1080/1359866X.2015.1081674.
Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind in Society: The development of higher psychological Processes. Havard University Press.
