Study with the Department of Learning Sciences And Emerging Technologies
Education systems are being rapidly reshaped by technological change and increasing demand for evidence-informed approaches grounded in the learning sciences.
We equip educators, designers and leaders with the tools and evidence to understand how people learn and how to use technology to lift outcomes at scale.
Our courses integrate learning sciences, educational psychology, digital learning design, AI, data-informed decision making and interdisciplinary STEM education. Students develop the skills to design effective learning experiences, employ emerging technologies responsibly and engage with evolving evidence to improve outcomes across classrooms, organisations and systems.
Our initial teacher education and employment-based pathways support entry into the profession, equipping graduates with the skills, knowledge and confidence to apply research-informed teaching strategies and integrate technology effectively in diverse learning environments.
Our ongoing professional learning programs support career development, leadership and continuous growth, enabling educators to apply emerging technologies, data-informed teaching and AI-enhanced approaches to improve student outcomes and strengthen practice.
Graduates enter the profession ready to make an immediate and lasting impact. They foster innovative and effective learning environments, support student learning and engagement, lead evidence-informed and technology-driven teaching and learning, and sustain long, impactful careers that strengthen schools and communities.
Courses
Student experience
Our students learn from an expert, multidisciplinary academic team across learning sciences, STEM, psychology, speech and language, and emerging technologies. Our academic team delivers programs that prepare our students to be educators and leaders in a rapidly changing education space, making effective use of evidence informed approaches, data driven decision making, and emerging technologies. Our extensive partnerships with education centres, schools, and other learning institutions means students connect theory to real-world application, preparing them to lead in contemporary, technology-enabled learning environments.
Placements
Placement experiences are central to teacher education, enabling students to apply their learning in diverse, real-world settings.
We provide high-quality placement experiences for every pre-service teacher, with seamless alignment between coursework, the trajectory of learning, and professional practice.
Our approach is built on:
- High-quality learning experiences – carefully designed placements that integrate theory and practice at every stage.
- High-trust partnerships – strategically aligned networks of early childhood services, schools and education providers.
- Evidence-informed mentorship – strong mentor capability aligned to evidence-based teaching practices.
- Consistent placements for every student – a uniform standard of quality across all campuses and programs.
Through these partnerships, students develop capability in inclusive, evidence-informed practice. Placements span metropolitan, regional and rural contexts, often close to the communities where students live and aspire to work. Each experience is supported through tailored approaches that respond to local workforce needs, strengthen professional networks, and connect theory to practice.
Our partners value working with La Trobe students, who are exceptionally well-prepared to make an immediate impact in classrooms through evidence-informed practice.
A global perspective
We partner internationally to connect our teaching and research to global educational contexts and workforce needs.
Through comparative and cross-cultural inquiry, we strengthen teacher wellbeing, professional practice, inclusion and initial teacher education. This global engagement informs applied research, professional learning and curriculum innovation, contributing to human-centred approaches to education and emerging technologies such as AI.