Roles, responsibilities and relationships in education sample essay

In this assignment I will discuss key aspects of legislation, regulatory requirements and codes of practice relating to my own role as a Creative Learning Practitioner working with adults. I will reflect on the Teacher/Training cycle and make reference to where my role is relevant and any boundaries involved when working with students in a creative setting. I will also reference ground rules and how to promote appropriate behaviour and respect within a safe learning environment.

Legislation is essential in order for a civilised society to function effectively and appropriately and to provide standardised Teacher/Leaner Roles. Legislation a legal requirement. Code of Practice is a set of rules outlining how a person in a particular situation is expected to behave. Tutors are obliged to comply with current laws and codes of practice, and meet the requirements of them. Legislation ensures that students are all given equal opportunities and and the same level of care and attention.

For example:

I teach apprentices aged 18 – 26 principles of the create and cultural sector. It is an important part of my role to establish a safe and supportive working environment through a number of different methods in order to create the best possible environment for learning. When a new group or student begins the course, it is important to establish ground rules for the sessions. Within this it’s important that the students work together to establish these rules in order to ensure they have a sense of ownership over the rules and in turn the sessions. Ground Rules may include the importance of punctuality, respect amongst members of the group, respecting health and safety regulations and codes of practice, respecting other peoples contributions and so forth. This is vital to every new starter. During the induction I would also point out all the relevant information for the venue. This would include what to do in case of a fire and who the first aider is.

It is important to establish appropriate behaviour and respect for others in order to fully realise the potential of all within and to ensure each student is safe from both physical and psychological harm. Appropriate behaviour must apply to both student and teacher. I, as a teacher, must follow a Code of Practice in order foster individual growth and learning. The principles of Good Practice are to treat people with care, respect and dignity. To recognise that I, as a teacher, am a trusted representative of my work place. I must ensure communication with students is open and clear and assess the risks to my students of the activities by carrying out a thorough risk assessment before each session. As a teacher I must also ensure that I and my staff avoid physical contact with students except for reasons of health and safety, or under supervision.

It is important to promote equality and value diversity within the learning environment as everyone has the basic right to be treated fairly. Equality is about making sure people are treated fairly and given fair chances. Equality is not about treating everyone in the same way, but it recognises that their needs are met in different ways. As a teacher using the arts I choose my words of instructions carefully and have to consider everyones needs and abilities within the room when giving out instructions for tasks. For example if I am working with a group of disabled and non disabled students and I need them to use their physicality within the space I would ask them to ‘move’ around the room rather than ‘walk’, as this is not possible for all students I need to be sensitive to my choice of words and ensure that everyone in the room is treated equality and fairly. As a teacher I must have an excellent understanding of the diverse nature of the society in which we live in and I must promote this within the classroom.

The learning environment should embrace differences and similarities in culture, backgrounds and experience. This should be an environment free from racism, sexism and bullying where there are positive role models and processes in place that promote equality and value diversity in the workplace and the classroom.

Ways that this can be achieved is to provide resources with consideration to represent the diverse range of learners who access the provision. Through an initial assessment that should be carried out at the beginning of the course I will have gained a good understanding of each individual learning style and any access requirements they may have. For example a student might have dyslexia and so I must work with the student to provide the most accessible form of resource. Resources should be adapted to ensure that learners can access information and meet individual needs (large print, on tape, using symbols).

A variety of teaching methods should be used following an assessment of different learning styles. For example I should ensure that each lesson includes visual, auditory and practical elements to suit different learning styles.

I must ensure assessment is fair and does not discriminate against any learner and the language I use is non-discriminatory and appropriate. Discussion and comments within the learning environment should also be managed to ensure learner language is appropriate and non- discriminatory.

Materials and topics are presented in a way that are sensitive to equality and diversity and learners have the opportunity to fully evaluate the course in an open and anonymous way to ensure their views and options are valued and taken into account.

Each student has a different level of ability in terms of function skills. I carry out an initial assessment so that I may identify and meet the needs of each individual learner. Through this initial assessment I would ascertain areas of strengths and weaknesses so I can plan each session to meet the needs of each individual leaner. It is important to Identify learners’ preferred learning styles to meet individual learner needs, to ensure that more able learners are stretched and that support is provided for the weaker learners, while empowering learners to take responsibility for their own learning.

As a tutor, I work alongside the learners to give good advice and constant support by using practical demonstrations. Constant praise and encouragement is a great way to build the learners’ confidence within the learning environment. I make myself very approachable to the learners so they feel that they can ask me for advice on their work and feel that I have a very good relationship with the learners I work alongside.