Analyse_Different_Ways_in_Which_You_Would_Establish_Ground_Rules_with_Your_Learners,_Which_Underpin_Behaviour_and_Respect_for_Others.

Setting out clear and concise ground rules from the start of a course is important as this can solve or prevent issues, such as disruption, and it can be much harder to set the rules at a later stage. Should there be no ground rules, it could lead to the whole group becoming divisive. It is a good idea that once ground rules have been set that they are written up and displayed for everyone to see so that they can be referred to at any time. It also sets a tone to the way that I wish to teach a class and what I expect from the learners as well as what the learners will expect from me. A good way to set ground rules would be to get learners participation. This could include a discussion on what they would like from their peers in way of respect and therefore would encourage learners to take ownership with the rules that they had created. As explained on the London Deanery Faculty Development website (accessed 5/5/09) ‘This provides good role modelling and a transparency about expectations for behaviours’ JS Atherton explains there are the minimum necessary conditions for getting learning work done in the class. They may include: Arriving on time Respecting health and safety regulations (You may well be in breach of your contract and legally liable for accidents if you do not cover these, including explaining the detail.) Switching off mobile 'phones Not interrupting fellow-students Not moving to do something requested until given an explicit cue (rather than "order"), such as "Go!" Respecting other people's contributions Only having one conversation at a time in the class. It is important that ground rules are not delivered ‘telling’ learners what and what not to do in a patronising way, but explained in a way where learners can see that the whole group will benefit, and in turn lead to a much better learning environment for everyone. It is also important not to make a bigger deal out of them than necessary as this could also send the message that I, as a tutor, could be anxious about the issues and it could imply that I am not able to manage the class. Word Count 378 REFERENCES Examples of Ground Rules retrieved from ATHERTON J S (2005) Teaching and Learning: Ground rules for the class [On-line] UK: Available: http://www.learningandteaching.info/teaching/ground_rules.htm Accessed: 5 May 2009 The London Deanery Faculty Website accessed on 5/5/09 from http://www.faculty.londondeanery.ac.uk/e-learning/small-group-teaching/setting-ground-rules