Explain the Ways in Which You Would Establish Ground Rules with Your Learners, and Which Underpin Behaviour and Respect for Others

Explain the ways in which you could establish ground rules with your learners
and which underpin behaviour and respect for others.

The purpose of using ground rules is to establish a shared understanding amongst a group, that everyone has the right to an opinion and a right to feel valued and respected.   Ground rules establish acceptable boundaries, agreements and structures, which may guide a group to achieve its potential and promote mutual opportunities for everyone to reach their individual goals and aspirations.

One method in which ground rules can be successfully set and adhered to, is by asking the group to establish the rules for themselves thereby giving the collective responsibility for appropriate behaviour to the students.   This way, the group will become self-policing and more aware of the need to respect the diversity and individuality of the group as a whole.

It is important to recognise that there will be diverse personality types within groups ranging from outspoken to shy individuals.   Ground rules may help to prevent over domination by more confident, vocal members and enable fuller participation by the quieter personalities of the group.   One ground rule could be that no one should interrupt when one person is speaking; thereby reinforcing the notion that all individual views are important, valid and listened to.

Clear, concise ground rules can promote mutual respect and collaboration within the group, and develop trusting alliances that encourage all round interaction and learning from the collective resources and strengths of the group.