Ptlls_Assignment_Theory_Task_4

Explain ways in which you would establish ground rules with your learners which underpin appropriate behaviour and respect for others. To help focus your thoughts on the requirements of this assignment it is a good idea to start off with: Why do we have ground rules in the first place' Think of individual learners and group situations. Please remember and keep in mind that ground rules are linked to ‘managing behaviour and disruption’. You must refer to Maslow in this opening introduction. Now you have written about the ‘why’ please list ground rules that you have or have considered using, these will fall under 2 headings: 1. learner (group or individual) 2. tutor Please fully explain against your headings the impact of these rules in terms of ‘managing behaviour and disruption’ and the possible ramifications of not negotiating ground rules. This assignment needs to be an academic piece of writing, not just a bulleted list of activities. The key of setting ground rules All learners and tutors need rules and boundaries to establish appropriate behaviour, motivation and respect for each other. These rules are important to underpin respect for the diversity of the participants in the learning session. These rules are called ground rules. Ground rules are a set of basic rules to establish a welcoming, warm, learning environment. Ground rules also establish and set the base for the Maslow learning theory, where the lowest base tier in the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs pyramid is based on the biological and physical needs of learners. In addition, extended ground rules should cover the second tier of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which is based on the safety needs of the participant in a learning environment. Ground rules should be established before any teaching or learning commences. The rules established, need to be applied to the tutor as well as to the learners taking part in the learning session. One of the best ways to establish ground rules is to let the learners decide for themselves where appropriate. That way the learners are more likely to keep to them. If the tutor were to adopt a dictatorial attitude to ground rule making, then there may be some resentment and the ground rules may not be adhered to by the learners in the session. It should be important, to make clear to the learners that there are different ground rules for tutors, compared with learners. It is highly recommended that all ground rules are to be linked to the managing of behaviour and disruption within the learning session. Important ground rules for learner and tutors are: Learners’ ground rules: 1. Knowing the time table of the day It is important for the participants in a learning session to know when they have a break so that they can have a drink or something to eat. Knowing the start and finishing times of the course is also important, so that the learner can focus on a short term goal and arrive at the start of the day without interrupting the tutor or other participants by arriving late for example. 2. Mobile phones need to be switched off or be on silent alert as an exception The learner must be made aware of how much a ringing mobile phone can be distractive to the tutor giving the session as well as for fellow learners in the group attending the session. It needs to be clarified that the only exception to this rule is that a mobile phone needs to be on silent, in the case that the learner needs to be contacted in an emergency. 3. Let everyone have a chance to speak There are often dominant speakers in a class - it is important that they recognise the importance of letting everyone express their view, to make them feel they belong to the learning session and not left out. 4. Stay focused It is important that the learner stays focused throughout the learning session to gain the maximum amount of learning and knowledge required to meet the set objectives. Also, if a learner is not staying focused they could negatively influence fellow learners, and affect their concentration and the ability to gain further knowledge. 5. Come prepared Being prepared and having all resources at hand would not distract the learning session or other members in their learning activity. It is important that this rule is put into place even before the actual learning session starts, by informing the participants of the course with the requirements needed to fulfil the goals. Tutors’ ground rules: 1. Start and finish the learning session on time It is essential that the tutor follows the time table of the session, so that the objectives are met at the end of the session. Starting later as planned will have an impact on the finishing time and/or the lengths of agreed breaks; this could lead to a de-motivated learner. 2. Make sure the tutor has the relevant resources It is important that the tutor has all available resources in place. They should make sure that the learning environment is set up to the individual needs of the learner; this would include having the room at an ambient temperature, refreshments in place for the break times, teaching equipment in full-working and operational order; and the necessary skills plus time to deliver the objectives of the session. Health and safety should be adhered to at all times. 3. Manage disruption The tutor needs to be able to manage and minimise disruption in the learning session. Those disruptions could be from over keen learners seeking attention or from a learner not motivated to learn. Other disruptions could be from outside of the classroom environment, like other tutors or pupils entering and disrupting the classroom session at unplanned times. Disruptions distract from learning and could lead to a de-motivated learner. 4. Meeting individual needs It is vital that the tutor can meet the individual needs of the learner. They need to be aware of the learning and working style of each learner so that they can tailor their learning session around the individual needs. This includes the use of resources and teaching styles appropriate to maximising the knowledge gained of each individual. 5. To be approachable The tutor should be approachable at all times for all questions and suggestions. With this attitude they can ensure the learners stay motivated and focused on the subject of the session and interruptions are minimised. This is an excellent tool to evaluate the knowledge and understanding that has been tutored to the class so that it is possible to plan further sessions. Once the tutor has agreed the ground rules with the learners, it is a good idea to make a poster or use a flipchart so the rules can be displayed in the classroom or work area. Everybody should now have an idea of what is expected of them and behave accordingly. There are many other ground rules that the tutor could establish before learning commences. It always depends on the types of learner the tutor needs to teach. A tutor should only go back to them and recap the ground rules if there is a need to reinforce the correct behaviour and to minimise disruption. This will hopefully lead to a happy and harmonious group and a happy learner. It is important that the ground rules create a comfortable environment for the learner so that the learner is highly motivated and interested in gaining the knowledge to achieve the objectives of the learning session. Ultimately the participants of the learning session will gain a much-deserved and recognised qualification. ----------------------- THEORY TASK 4