Better Learning Teaching Support Material - WHY & HOW?
What you'll learn
- 1. Understand and explain the theoretical basis for this course to create better Learning Teaching Support Material.
- 2. Recognize the presence of important aspects of Learning Teaching Support Material that can enhance or hamper learning.
- 3. Explain reasons for using the 12 strategies covered in this course when creating Learning Teaching Support Material.
- 4. Analyse and evaluate Learning Teaching Support Material by using 12 short checklists .
- 5. Create Learning Teaching Support Material that will enhance the use of evidence-based and research-based learning strategies.
Requirements
- Desire to create Learning Teaching Support Material (LTSM) for better understanding & learning.
- Open mind to think about things we think we know.
- Willingness to make changes to existing Learning Teaching Support Material.
- Growth-oriented mindset to use the resources to learn more.
Description
Better Learning Teaching Support Material: WHY & HOW?
A Must-Have Course for Educators, Professionals, and Learning Resource Creators
Are you an educator, therapist, trainer, or content creator looking to make learning easier and more effective? Do you want to design learning materials that engage and support your audience? If so, this course is for you.
Better Learning Teaching Support Material: WHY & HOW? is your guide to creating research-based, impactful resources that help learners of all ages achieve success.
Why This Course Matters
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted education worldwide, with millions of learners struggling to overcome reading and learning challenges. Studies show that:
• 81% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read for meaning (up from 78% before the pandemic).
• Learners globally are grappling with cognitive overload, which impacts their ability to understand and retain information.
This course empowers you to tackle these issues at the grassroots level. By designing better learning teaching support material (LTSM), you can help:
• Improve reading comprehension and learning outcomes.
• Make educational content easier to understand and more engaging.
• Support learners in overcoming the challenges caused by disrupted education.
What You’ll Learn
This course is divided into three core sections:
1. Understanding the Problem
Discovering the hidden barriers learners face and why traditional approaches to learning materials often fall short.
2. Cognitive Load Theory
Learn how cognitive load impacts learning and how to avoid overwhelming learners with poorly designed resources.
Explore evidence-based strategies to optimize how information is presented.
3. Practical Tools and Strategies
Master techniques to create readable, engaging, and effective learning materials.
Gain insights into improving the layout, content structure, and design to prevent cognitive overload.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is ideal for:
• Teachers, educators, and lecturers seeking to enhance their teaching materials.
• Tutors and academic coaches who want to support struggling learners.
• Therapists and occupational therapists working with students or clients.
• Content creators of online courses, e-books, or educational resources.
• Parents and guardians interested in creating better learning tools for their children.
• Professionals and trainers developing employee training programs.
If you’re passionate about education, learning design, or supporting learners, this course will provide you with actionable insights and tools to make a real difference.
Why Choose This Course?
This course combines decades of hands-on experience with cutting-edge research in learning science, including findings from education expert John Hattie, whose work reveals:
• 50% of learning success depends on how learners approach studying.
• 25% relies on teacher effectiveness.
With practical strategies and examples, this course is designed to be actionable and transformative, enabling you to create materials that empower learners to thrive.
Meet Your Instructor
I’m Estelle Brettenny, an occupational therapist with over 45 years of experience working with learners of all ages. My passion lies in bridging the gap between theory and practice, helping educators and professionals design learning materials that truly work.
You can look at the course biography for more background information.
And please look at my other courses, as they all complement each other.
PLEASE JOIN ME & HELP OUR CHILDREN AND STUDENTS ALL OVER THE WORLD.
LET'S MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO LEARN.
Who this course is for:
- Educators (of Gr 4 learners and older learners) & Lecturers
- Tutors & Academic Coaches
- Professionals (or employers) creating training material and presenting training
- Older and adult learners that are confronted with challenges in their learning material
- Parents that support their school children with learning
- Professionals working with school learners
Instructor
- 4.7 Instructor Rating
- 202 Reviews
- 782 Students
- 3 Courses
ESTELLE BRETTENNY
Empowering Effective Thinkers and Learners
I’m Estelle Brettenny, a passionate occupational therapist (B.OT., M.OT., PDME) with over 45 years of clinical experience, dedicated to helping learners of all ages become more effective thinkers and learners. My mission is to empower individuals to reach their full potential through metacognitive therapeutic intervention and metacognitive learning coaching.
Since 1998, I’ve specialized in supporting older primary school learners, high school learners, and adult learners, guiding them toward academic success and personal growth. As a certified trainer in both Cognitive Enrichment Advantage (CEA) (since 1997) and Thinking Maps (since 2011), I integrate innovative strategies to enhance thinking and learning capabilities. Over the years, I’ve completed numerous advanced courses in cognitive education and the development of thinking skills, continuously expanding my expertise.
My Professional Contributions and Achievements
Leadership in Cognitive Education:
I served on the board of the former International Association for Cognitive Education in Southern Africa (IACESA) for over two decades, including as president from 2013 to 2015.
Currently, I’m an honorary member of the Institute for the Advancement of Cognitive Education (IACE), which evolved from IACESA.
Founding Member of Thinking Schools South Africa (TSSA):
I played a role in establishing TSSA, a leading initiative to promote thinking-centered schools and improve educational outcomes in South Africa.
Cognitive Education Training for Educators and Professionals:
For more than two decades, I’ve conducted cognitive education workshops across South Africa, training educators and professionals in metacognition, thinking skills, and learning strategies. These workshops have empowered countless individuals to implement transformative practices in their teaching and professional environments.
My Journey Into Online Learning:
In 2020, I embarked on a new and exciting journey—developing online courses to reach a global audience. I’m proud that my courses have already impacted learners in over 65 countries, offering actionable strategies to improve thinking, learning, and executive function skills.
Through my online courses, I aim to continue sharing my decades of experience and expertise, empowering learners, educators, and professionals to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Specializations:
Metacognitive Intervention:
Helping learners develop self-awareness and control over their thinking and learning processes.
Cognitive Load Theory:
Designing strategies to reduce cognitive overload for better comprehension, learning, and retention.
Development of Thinking Skills:
Equipping learners with tools for critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
Cognitive Education Training:
Empowering professionals with evidence-based practices to support learning.
Join Me on My Mission
Whether you’re an educator, parent, professional, or lifelong learner, I invite you to explore my online courses and discover how to enhance thinking and learning for yourself or your students. Together, we can make learning more meaningful, effective, and accessible to all.