Gill Donaldson
*Week 1 :* Theory Assignment No. 4
Explain the ways in which you would establish ground rules with your learners, which underpin behaviour and respect for others.
The ways in which I would establish ground rules would be in the first lesson, by involving all members of the group. The reasons for involving everyone are that learners are more likely to take responsibility and ownership for the ground rules, rather than the tutor dictating a dry set of rules and being told what to do. By including students in establishing the rules, the students are also much more likely to monitor that the rules of the classroom are being adhered to, and challenging their peers if the rules are broken. As part of the process of establishing the rules, I would ask the students why this rule should be included, so that their views and opinions are respected. However, certain rules may have to be laid down for health and safety reasons, but I would have a discussion with the student so they fully understood the reasons behind doing this.
As well as establishing ground rules, students need to be informed of the penalties/discipline that will be incurred if ground rules are broken, especially those involved with health and safety. Again, this informs students from the offset and that they will be no surprises if rules are broken.
By establishing ground rules and their subsequent penalties, you are establishing a framework for both the tutor and students to work in right from the offset which would underpin behaviour and respect for each other. Obviously, as time goes on, further rules can be added as deemed necessary by the whole group.
The ground rules of the classroom are additional to the student learner agreement which the educational establishment may have introduced and got the student and tutor to sign up to.