In this write-up, I will seek to explain the ways in which I could establish ground rules with learners, which strengthens behaviour and respect for others. In doing this, I will be explaining what ground rules are and why they are necessary. How best they can be established and also ensure that students take ownership of rules by putting responsibility on them. Ground rules can be defined as terms which govern the working relationship between the school/teacher and its learners. According to Jo Budden “good classroom management depends a lot on how you establish ground rules at the beginning of the course”.
An educator should constantly be revising lesson plans and expanding their own knowledge in order to deliver an optimal learning experience for the students. Incorporating guidelines to educate students without bias into a code of ethics ensures that students receive equal treatment in the classroom. An educator’s primary concern should be the physical and mental well being of the student. This being said, it is the responsibility of the educator to be vigilant of a student’s physical and emotional behavior while in the classroom. Child abuse is a dilemma that may be encountered when working as a professional educator in the school system.
All schools generally possess a set of rules or code of conduct. It is extremely important that in a school environment pupils have directions so they have a clear comprehension of how to conduct themselves. Children and young people within the school environment ought to be conscious of the boundaries also in what manner they can manage their
Inclusion of all students is important. If they feel intimidated in class they can come to me afterwards and ask a question in private. If they leave my class happy, I feel they have learnt something. It is very important for the students to know they have the support of the teacher and feel confident in the knowledge that any information given to the teacher is treated in
Allowing students to suggest their own rules helps to make each student feel that they have contributed to the rules and therefore will be more willing to abide by all of the rules. The teacher should however have a pre considered idea of the type of rules that may be negotiable, and those that are not. As each of the rules are suggested, discussed and agreed, they should be written down clearly and remain visible throughout the learning process, so if necessary the rules can be referred to should the need arise. In my teaching environment, as a Watersports Instructor, the type of rules that I would negotiate with my students would include, length of sessions in or on the water, break times, time allowed between the completion of the water based session and the start of a classroom session. References: Gravells, A.
Also teachers need to make sure all the equipment the learners will be using during the course is safe for them to use. Ground Rules. When starting the course, a teacher should make sure they create a safe environment in the classroom: this means making sure everybody is comfortable with everybody else and nobody is trying to bully anyone. When working with adult learners it could be better to have ‘commonly agreed ground rules’ so they can agree with each point and find elements to discuss. This is good because when they get to decide the ground rules it’s more unlikely that they are going to break them.
This way of giving feedback should always be adapted to each learner. To be constructive feedback has to have some depth instead of quick comment. It has to be based in particular facts related to the learners development, achievement or what areas the learner needs to develop. However a trainer has to have in mind that when a learner reads a written feedback he may not interpret the trainer’s words as the trainer intended. So it is very important that the trainer chooses his words carefully in order to be clear about the learner’s achievements, progress or areas of improvement (Gravells, 2013).
It is important that the teacher appreciate any input from their students, whether the answer is correct or not. This openness will instil confidence and motivation from within the group and help their learning experience. To create a positive learning environment, with a clear structure, a teacher needs to have the ability to plan their lectures or sessions effectively. With clear goals and aims which match up with the curriculum. These lessons need to be creative, incorporate activities and techniques that will engage the learner.
‘Explain the ways you would establish ground rules with your learners which would underpin behaviour and respect for others.’ Setting ground rules within a group establishes what the tutor and the group can expect from each other in terms of social as well as educational expectations. An understanding of why each rule is in place will ensure learners and tutor feel more comfortable about its existence and helps to provide a good learning environment for all in the group. The delivery of these rules can be important when teaching adults as some learners’ feel more at ease having set rules or boundaries whereas others whose negative experiences of their schooling may feel an unconscious resentment. Rather than imposing a stated list of rules or laying down the law, asking for opinions and experiences, then drawing from that any expectations of the group can be a mutually beneficial way of establishing what ground rules should be made and more importantly why they are important or relevant to the group. This method is also a good way to encourage the exchange of ideas and opinions within the group as learners are more likely to relate to each other, discuss, and help each other further on in the course.
To address a behavior issue I believe that first you must understand the behavior and more importantly understand what its causes are. Jacob Kounin talks about in preventing discipline problems, which have to do with the subject matter of the classroom. Kounin emphasizes that teachers should make instructional activities enjoyable and challenging for the students. I believe if the students are