Establishing Ground Rules when teaching Adult learners
Establishing Ground Rules when teaching Adult learners.
The learner experience is not just an important component when dealing with adult learners but there are areas of legislation that apply. Equality, health & safety and data protection are just a brief example of legislation that must be considered when working with learners. “Rules” are an integral part in any society, adult learning not being exempt. It is important to establish ground rules so that there is a clear understanding between teacher and students. Ground rules are fundamental to the structure of any learning session and help to establish a code of conduct to which both learners and teachers should abide.
When establishing ground rules for any reason these generally fall into one of two categories, non-negotiable rules, which may contain points of safety or law, and negotiable rules that will often be based on subject matters for instance acceptable behaviour, etiquette and respect.
Non-negotiable ground rules.
Rules that are based on points of law or issues of safety are always non-negotiable in any situation. Violence, abuse, racism, antisocial behaviour (to mention but a few) are not just illegal but unacceptable in any learning environment and although most will be aware of such points of law it would be prudent to remind learners at the commencement of any learning experience of such rules. Non-negotiable ground rules, often based in legislation will usually be generic to the learning establishment and should be addressed during an induction session. Issues such as fire safety and first aid procedures must be discussed prior to the commencement of subject learning.
Negotiable ground rules.
This is most important when dealing with post-sixteen learners as generally their attendance is on a voluntary basis. A learner not completing the course is not only an undesirable outcome but may affect future training offered by the provider. Student numbers are usually monitored to assess the
The learner experience is not just an important component when dealing with adult learners but there are areas of legislation that apply. Equality, health & safety and data protection are just a brief example of legislation that must be considered when working with learners. “Rules” are an integral part in any society, adult learning not being exempt. It is important to establish ground rules so that there is a clear understanding between teacher and students. Ground rules are fundamental to the structure of any learning session and help to establish a code of conduct to which both learners and teachers should abide.
When establishing ground rules for any reason these generally fall into one of two categories, non-negotiable rules, which may contain points of safety or law, and negotiable rules that will often be based on subject matters for instance acceptable behaviour, etiquette and respect.
Non-negotiable ground rules.
Rules that are based on points of law or issues of safety are always non-negotiable in any situation. Violence, abuse, racism, antisocial behaviour (to mention but a few) are not just illegal but unacceptable in any learning environment and although most will be aware of such points of law it would be prudent to remind learners at the commencement of any learning experience of such rules. Non-negotiable ground rules, often based in legislation will usually be generic to the learning establishment and should be addressed during an induction session. Issues such as fire safety and first aid procedures must be discussed prior to the commencement of subject learning.
Negotiable ground rules.
This is most important when dealing with post-sixteen learners as generally their attendance is on a voluntary basis. A learner not completing the course is not only an undesirable outcome but may affect future training offered by the provider. Student numbers are usually monitored to assess the