Analyse_Different_Ways_in_Which_You_Would_Establish_Ground_Rules_with_Your_Learners,_Which_Underpin_Behaviour_and_Respect_for_Others.

There are three main styles a teacher can use to establish ground rules with learners. These will all underpin behaviour and respect for others in different ways. These approaches are: • Autocratic • Democratic • Lassiez faire My personal opinion is that autocratic combined with a democratic method is the most effective approach, where the lassaiz faire approach may be less successful. An autocratic teaching style involves the teacher establishing the ground rules prior to a class and not including the learners in any sort of discussion to work as a group to create them. ‘This is the teacher who has to control everything students do and is often threatened when students vary in their behaviour. They show this by handing out harsh sentences for even small infractions of the rules.’ Charles, CM (1996) Building Classroom Disciplines USA: Longman Publishers. At [on-line] http://www.nobleednews.com/teaching_styles.htm (accessed: 19th July 2010) The autocratic style demands respect but also requires learners to be submissive which can be a disadvantage. Other disadvantages are: • Students that learn from an open discussion based learning environment will suffer because there are no options for debate • The learners gain no ownership for their work • It can create a hostile, negative, rebellious and resentful atmosphere There are also advantages to autocratic teaching styles such as: • Establishing clear health and safety rules • Time keeping and punctuality • Appropriate levels of discipline These are non-negotiable; therefore establishing them in an autocratic manner prevents any nebulous preconceptions. Another style of teaching is the democratic teaching style. This is a more diplomatic style of teaching where both the teacher and the learners have a say. In establishing ground rules, the class may use discussion and spider diagrams, then debate the options. The teacher would add information where needed and keep the discussion on track. ‘Democratic learning is...students and teachers working together ... students having escalating degrees of choice, both as individuals and as groups, within the parameters provided by the teachers.’ At [on-line] http://www.leagueschools.com/dem_logic.pdf (accessed 19th July 2010) Advantages of democratic learning are: • Develops ownership and responsibility of learning • Allows freedom to discuss different ideas and ask questions • Students may come up with ground rules the teacher may not have thought of • Development of mutual respect between each another and with the teacher • The teacher has more power to pull students up on rules students created themselves Possible disadvantages of democratic learning are: • Danger of conflict or undermining between students and or teachers because there are less boundaries • A strong personality within the class can end up with more power to assert their authority Finally, Lassiez faire; ‘The style is largely a "hands off" view that tends to minimize the amount of direction and face time required. ‘ At [on-line] http://www.legacee.com/Info/Leadership/LeadershipStyles.html (accessed 19th July 2010) As suggested in the above quote, the Lassiez faire approach implies the teacher has a less proactive approach and entrusts students to achieve learning outcomes in their own time. Learners need to be at a stage where they can effectively motivate themselves to achieve their goals and responsibly work for themselves. Advantages of this style are: Mature students can use their existing knowledge of how to work • Students can tailor their learning to their preferred style of learning and ability Possible disadvantages are: • Learners may loose confidence in themselves and the teachers if there is a lack of guidance • The teacher may appear less knowledgeable than they actually are • There may be a lack of mutual respect My personal preference in teaching styles is to use a combination of democratic and autocratic. I feel the democratic style is the most diplomatic style of teaching and allows differentiation of learning styles within the classroom. However as a ballet teacher, I feel that while an autocratic style may not be the most popular method of teaching, particularly in modern class situations, in ballet it can be very successful. In ballet, discipline is an important aspect of learning, and the traditional style of teaching to achieve the outcome, trains students in a long-established art form. An important part of students working in a democratic setting is that they feel comfortable with each other. A useful way to put students at ease, particularly in a new class situation is to introduce some age and class appropriate ice breakers. Examples of these could be ‘people bingo’ a traditional game of bingo that has the twist of interesting traits where learners can quickly and entertainingly learn about each other. Another example is the 2 minute mixer where learners apply the rules of speed dating but learn interesting facts about one another for a maximum of 2 minutes then move on to the next person. Ice breakers really help in creating a positive atmosphere for creating ground rules by giving learners an opportunity to learn about each other, become at ease around each other and have fun.