Responsibilities And Relationships In Lifelong Learning Essay
Theory Assignment 1 – Roles Responsibilities and Relationships in Lifelong Learning
Key aspects of legislation, regulatory requirements and codes of practice relating to own role and responsibilities
A teacher is a leader of many and a role model for young learners therefore its very important to lead by example. Teachers must always protect themselves as failure to abide by various codes of professional practice and policies can potentially jeopardies your position as an employee. To prevent any problems that may occur it is good practice to follow and understand the rules and legislations put in place. As a teacher you must be a professional therefore we should never discriminate, abuse or dress inappropriately. The equality act 2010 legally …show more content…
protects people from discrimination in the work place and wider society. One must be proactive in all aspects of equality and diversity, and make sure my teaching style and recourses promote and include all learners. (Disability, gender, race, religion and belief, and sexual orientation)
The code of professional practice comes in support of all teachers as guidance to be good teacher. As a teacher I must ensure I’m consistently meeting the highest standards possible.
“The institute for learning’s code of professional practice came into force on 1 April 2008. The code was developed by the profession for the profession and it outlines the behaviours expected of members – for the benefit of learners, employers, the profession and the wider community.”
Learners expect us to respect and protect their confidentiality we may acquire personal details of a learner due to the nature of our job. Confidentiality and data protection act are very important legislations for being a teacher. Data protection act 1998 is to protect the rights and privacy of individuals to ensure the data about them is not disclosed or processed without consent or knowledge. As an employee of an institution it is vital information is collected and used fairly and stored safely and data is never used maliciously.
Safeguarding vulnerable groups act (2006) is another legislation put in place to protect learners. The purpose of the safeguarding act is to restrict contact between children and vulnerable adults to those who might do them harm. The regulatory requirements for various kinds of work with children require enhances or, in some cases a standard CRB certificate to be produced.
Health and safety is another area that is vitally important whilst working in the classroom and school environment. Health and safety act 1974 protects employers, employees, self-employed the general public or anyone who may be affected by work activities. Myself as a teacher have responsibilities and duties to be aware of potential risks in the classroom or school e.g. electrical hazards, trip hazards or fire hazards.
Identifying and meeting the needs of learners
Inclusive teaching and learning is only possible when equality and diversity policies are positively promoted. Inclusion means that learner’s needs (and an individual learner may have more than one need) are appropriately met to enable full participation in the learning process. Inclusive practice relies on a range of differentiation strategies.
“Taking account of pupil differences is a key factor in thinking about effective teaching.” (Christ Kyriacou 1997:56)
It is important that a teacher identifies the needs of the learners in order to design learning to reflect individual needs and differences. A teacher must consistently explore the learners needs throughout a course this will help shape learning to suit a learners particular needs.
The range of needs from a learner vary social, physical, intellectual, cultural and emotional. In all cases teachers have a responsibility to ensure all needs are met.
“Learners are able to use all styles and should be encouraged to use them all. (arguably learners with Asperger’s syndrome or extreme autism have very strong preference for the left styles and very low functioning for the right.)” Ewan Ingleby, Dawn Joyce and Sharon Powell. (2010:17)
The boundaries between the teaching role and other professional roles
The role of a teacher requires many skills not only should the teacher be knowledgeable in their given subject they should acquire many other skills that are often taken for granted. The ability to understand individuals learning styles is coupled with the ability to be a good listener, constantly assess, be approachable are just a few. It is important for a teacher to recognize the boundaries that must not be crossed. Teachers should not have personal relationships with learners for e.g. offering lifts, lending money or social networking with learners. Having personal relationships with chosen learners can also breakdown any relationship you have built with any other learner. There are often times a teacher may overhear or be asked personal questions/conversations themselves should not become too involved. Its important for a teacher to have the ability to know when a scenario needs to be handed over to other professional bodies who are more expert at dealing with personal matters. Good teachers demonstrate a duty of care without becoming too involved with a learner’s personal life.
“You will have professional boundaries within which to work and its important not to overstep by becoming too personal with your students. Boundaries about knowing where your role as a teacher stops and working within the limits of that role.” Chris Kyraicou(2012:14)
Although inclusion is about supporting learners’ needs, it is not always possible for teachers to do this without support themselves. You should be aware of the limits of your responsibility and know when and where to access support both for yourself and your learners. If you have a line manager, he or she should be your first point of contact for referral. If you have team meetings or contact with other teachers, your colleagues may also be able to help through their own previous experiences.
Maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment
The nature of where I currently teach it is very important to foster a learning environment which students feel safe, relaxed and willing to take risks it is common for me to come into contact with young people who have had negatives experiences in traditional classroom environments. They’re various ways to create a supportive learning environment one of which is a strong classroom community. Using pair work or group activities is a great way to help build the classroom community. I also find giving students the opportunity to share hobbies, interests, backgrounds and cultures is a great way to build the unity needed in a supportive environment. Motivating students by using positive nonverbal communication is key to creating and maintaining the supportive environment needed to make teaching easier. Involving students as active participants in learning encouraging using eye contact, facial expressions, gestures and humor help engage the learner by maintaining the positive supportive atmosphere needed when teaching.
“You need to manage the learning environment to promote and encourage individual and group learning. The seating arrangements can have a big impact on learning. People like their comfort zones and you may find that students will sit in the same place each time they are with you.” Ann Gravells (2012:29)
Promote appropriate behavior and respect for others
As a teacher it is important to establish ground rules from the get go.
For example no use of mobiles phones during lessons and no eating in lessons etc. other rules can be put in place as the course progresses but basic rules should always be implemented from the start to promote appropriate behavior and respect for others. I believe it is a good idea to get students to have an input with any classroom rules and guidelines. Listening to what learners have to say and talking to them in-group discussions leads the way to further establishing mutual agreement to create the ideal environment to work in. rules can be updated and changes depending how learners develop. It helps to place a poster or some visually attractive with the rules and guidelines on to remind learners of the mutual agreement that has been made between the teacher and the learners. It is important in the role of a teacher to consistently challenge disruption, bullying and noise, challenging behavior consistently will promote a positive learning atmosphere.
Conclusion
Having completed my analysis of roles and relationships in lifelong learning I have now understood the importance of inclusive learning considering equality at all times. The best way to deliver good teaching is to follow simple rules and
legislations.
Bibliography
http://www.ifl.ac.uk/membership/professional-standards/code-of-professional-practice
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/47/contents
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents
http://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/
Effective Teaching in schools: theory and practice, Chris Kyriacou
Preparing to teach in the lifelong sector, Ann Gravells
Learning to teach in the life long sector, Ewan Ingleby, Dawn Joyce and Sharon Powell
Key aspects of legislation, regulatory requirements and codes of practice relating to own role and responsibilities
A teacher is a leader of many and a role model for young learners therefore its very important to lead by example. Teachers must always protect themselves as failure to abide by various codes of professional practice and policies can potentially jeopardies your position as an employee. To prevent any problems that may occur it is good practice to follow and understand the rules and legislations put in place. As a teacher you must be a professional therefore we should never discriminate, abuse or dress inappropriately. The equality act 2010 legally …show more content…
protects people from discrimination in the work place and wider society. One must be proactive in all aspects of equality and diversity, and make sure my teaching style and recourses promote and include all learners. (Disability, gender, race, religion and belief, and sexual orientation)
The code of professional practice comes in support of all teachers as guidance to be good teacher. As a teacher I must ensure I’m consistently meeting the highest standards possible.
“The institute for learning’s code of professional practice came into force on 1 April 2008. The code was developed by the profession for the profession and it outlines the behaviours expected of members – for the benefit of learners, employers, the profession and the wider community.”
Learners expect us to respect and protect their confidentiality we may acquire personal details of a learner due to the nature of our job. Confidentiality and data protection act are very important legislations for being a teacher. Data protection act 1998 is to protect the rights and privacy of individuals to ensure the data about them is not disclosed or processed without consent or knowledge. As an employee of an institution it is vital information is collected and used fairly and stored safely and data is never used maliciously.
Safeguarding vulnerable groups act (2006) is another legislation put in place to protect learners. The purpose of the safeguarding act is to restrict contact between children and vulnerable adults to those who might do them harm. The regulatory requirements for various kinds of work with children require enhances or, in some cases a standard CRB certificate to be produced.
Health and safety is another area that is vitally important whilst working in the classroom and school environment. Health and safety act 1974 protects employers, employees, self-employed the general public or anyone who may be affected by work activities. Myself as a teacher have responsibilities and duties to be aware of potential risks in the classroom or school e.g. electrical hazards, trip hazards or fire hazards.
Identifying and meeting the needs of learners
Inclusive teaching and learning is only possible when equality and diversity policies are positively promoted. Inclusion means that learner’s needs (and an individual learner may have more than one need) are appropriately met to enable full participation in the learning process. Inclusive practice relies on a range of differentiation strategies.
“Taking account of pupil differences is a key factor in thinking about effective teaching.” (Christ Kyriacou 1997:56)
It is important that a teacher identifies the needs of the learners in order to design learning to reflect individual needs and differences. A teacher must consistently explore the learners needs throughout a course this will help shape learning to suit a learners particular needs.
The range of needs from a learner vary social, physical, intellectual, cultural and emotional. In all cases teachers have a responsibility to ensure all needs are met.
“Learners are able to use all styles and should be encouraged to use them all. (arguably learners with Asperger’s syndrome or extreme autism have very strong preference for the left styles and very low functioning for the right.)” Ewan Ingleby, Dawn Joyce and Sharon Powell. (2010:17)
The boundaries between the teaching role and other professional roles
The role of a teacher requires many skills not only should the teacher be knowledgeable in their given subject they should acquire many other skills that are often taken for granted. The ability to understand individuals learning styles is coupled with the ability to be a good listener, constantly assess, be approachable are just a few. It is important for a teacher to recognize the boundaries that must not be crossed. Teachers should not have personal relationships with learners for e.g. offering lifts, lending money or social networking with learners. Having personal relationships with chosen learners can also breakdown any relationship you have built with any other learner. There are often times a teacher may overhear or be asked personal questions/conversations themselves should not become too involved. Its important for a teacher to have the ability to know when a scenario needs to be handed over to other professional bodies who are more expert at dealing with personal matters. Good teachers demonstrate a duty of care without becoming too involved with a learner’s personal life.
“You will have professional boundaries within which to work and its important not to overstep by becoming too personal with your students. Boundaries about knowing where your role as a teacher stops and working within the limits of that role.” Chris Kyraicou(2012:14)
Although inclusion is about supporting learners’ needs, it is not always possible for teachers to do this without support themselves. You should be aware of the limits of your responsibility and know when and where to access support both for yourself and your learners. If you have a line manager, he or she should be your first point of contact for referral. If you have team meetings or contact with other teachers, your colleagues may also be able to help through their own previous experiences.
Maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment
The nature of where I currently teach it is very important to foster a learning environment which students feel safe, relaxed and willing to take risks it is common for me to come into contact with young people who have had negatives experiences in traditional classroom environments. They’re various ways to create a supportive learning environment one of which is a strong classroom community. Using pair work or group activities is a great way to help build the classroom community. I also find giving students the opportunity to share hobbies, interests, backgrounds and cultures is a great way to build the unity needed in a supportive environment. Motivating students by using positive nonverbal communication is key to creating and maintaining the supportive environment needed to make teaching easier. Involving students as active participants in learning encouraging using eye contact, facial expressions, gestures and humor help engage the learner by maintaining the positive supportive atmosphere needed when teaching.
“You need to manage the learning environment to promote and encourage individual and group learning. The seating arrangements can have a big impact on learning. People like their comfort zones and you may find that students will sit in the same place each time they are with you.” Ann Gravells (2012:29)
Promote appropriate behavior and respect for others
As a teacher it is important to establish ground rules from the get go.
For example no use of mobiles phones during lessons and no eating in lessons etc. other rules can be put in place as the course progresses but basic rules should always be implemented from the start to promote appropriate behavior and respect for others. I believe it is a good idea to get students to have an input with any classroom rules and guidelines. Listening to what learners have to say and talking to them in-group discussions leads the way to further establishing mutual agreement to create the ideal environment to work in. rules can be updated and changes depending how learners develop. It helps to place a poster or some visually attractive with the rules and guidelines on to remind learners of the mutual agreement that has been made between the teacher and the learners. It is important in the role of a teacher to consistently challenge disruption, bullying and noise, challenging behavior consistently will promote a positive learning atmosphere.
Conclusion
Having completed my analysis of roles and relationships in lifelong learning I have now understood the importance of inclusive learning considering equality at all times. The best way to deliver good teaching is to follow simple rules and
legislations.
Bibliography
http://www.ifl.ac.uk/membership/professional-standards/code-of-professional-practice
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/47/contents
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents
http://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/
Effective Teaching in schools: theory and practice, Chris Kyriacou
Preparing to teach in the lifelong sector, Ann Gravells
Learning to teach in the life long sector, Ewan Ingleby, Dawn Joyce and Sharon Powell