Assignment 301

Part B

Understanding
Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships
in Education and Training

Reflective Account

January 2024
1.A Explain why is it important to promote appropriate behaviour and respect for others

Appropriate behaviour and respect for other needs to be fostered and supported as part of a safe
and supportive learning environment. There are a number of models and factors which can support
learners in appropriate behaviour.

One method is to model the appropriate behaviour (Machin et al., 2015) as the Teacher or Trainer.
Modelling the behaviour you hope to see manifest in learners is a powerful way to demonstrate in
action an example of appropriate behaviour. It is particularly useful as your own behaviour as
teacher is within your control. Actions are a powerful way to teach the behaviour you expect to see
and gives a strong example to learners who may not have had such modelling before.

One example in my own practice is modelling language which is appropriate to both the curriculum
being taught as well the environment it is being taught in. Being a Teacher/Trainer with apprentices
aged between 25-55 in a business environment learning a Professional Qualification requires
modelling of the behaviour of good Leader and Manager.

Commonly, learners are managing large teams of people and will use language in our coaching and
training sessions which are not appropriate. An important part of my role is to maintain language
and behaviours which model the key aspects of the course, such a how to be a good leader, manager
and communicate appropriately to your audience. Demonstrating that swearing is not appropriate
within a Training session or coaching session due to the Professional Discussion at the end of the
course is vital.

What I have observed is that by remaining strong, consistent and respectful in my language and
behaviours and calling out inappropriate language, my learners are naturally modelling the same
behaviours themselves.

Other important factors in promoting appropriate behaviour and respect are to bring an awareness
to the behaviours which is already part of the curriculum I am teaching. The qualities include
promoting responsibility, leadership, strong communication skills, team work, creativity,
independence and decision making.

In addition rewarding good behaviour is important and also setting clear boundaries with
consequences if boundaries are breached. Skinner (1951) developed a theory called Operant
conditioning which can be applied in an Educational settings to teach behaviour. Skinner (1951)
essentially looks at positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement and punishment in
behaviours. Clarity of expectation and consistency are key and positive reinforcement produced
incredible results in these studies.

1.B Ways to promote equality and value diversity

It is important to promote equality and diversity on education and training today to ensure that
everybody has access to learning that wants it.

Equality means that everyone has the same opportunity to learn. That means that they are not
precluded from learning as a result of race, religion, skin colour, gender, socio-economic
backgrounds. Allowing all learners to be able to learn and get the support and help they may need to
do so (Capes, 2023).

Diversity means identifying and welcoming a wide range of backgrounds, ideas and experiences
(Capes, 2023). An inclusive approach is encourages to include diverse languages, cultures, abilities
and ideas. This will bring a well balanced and well rounded experience for all learners.

In my on role I try to ensure I encourage diversity and equality in access to the course and in how I
reach it. This is particularly important in the initial assessments and diagnostics and ensuring an
open approach to all learners who want to learn and attempt a professional qualification.

It means remaining open to every different type of sector and environment and ensuring that many
sectors are welcomed into the learning and many different types of learners. I have now worked
across almost every sector professionally out in industry and try to keep an open and non-
judgmental approach to my learners, welcoming everyone who wants to learn. It requires
supporting people form every background and supporting their learning and coaching needs.

I have worked with many high level professionals from countries all over the world who may need
extra support with translating technical models. This support is something I look to identify early
with the use of Diagnostics and signposting to get extra support and help.

In addition, I have learners who require additional support via support groups or counsellors due to
their life challenges which often come out during coaching sessions. I am always alert to signposting
to other professionals to support learners in this way, so promoting diversity and equality.

1.C The importance of identifying and meeting the needs of learners

The reason it is vital to ensure that a learners needs are identified is that without this it is difficult to
be able to provide the best outcomes for a learner. All learners are unique and have different
strengths and areas where they may need to support. If you do not know where these areas lie it
may be very challenging to provide what a learner needs.

One way to identify needs are with the use of Initial Assessments and Diagnostics. This is to ensure
that a learner is on the right course and identify any needs they may have. It also gives a good idea
about the level of ability of the learners and developmental needs. This will allow you as a teacher or
trainer to plan your sessions accordingly (Machin et al., 2015).

In my own practice, the Initial Assessments and Diagnostics which I use are absolutely vital. For each
new learner I have an initial meeting with them to run through a list of diagnostic questions to help
me determine whether they are in the correct role for the course and whether they have the
necessary level of ability for the course they are considering.

The Diagnostics which I use are BKSB for Maths and English. I also use a list of interview questions
designed by myself based on experience in the sector. In addition, I use VARK and Honey & Mumford
to determine development needs and learning styles. In addition, I use Myers Briggs to look at
Leadership Style and how to work with my learner to support and strengthen them.

One unique factor is to look at their role and how it will be appropriate to the course they are
undertaking. For some learners they may not have any Team Management so undertaking either the
Level 3 or Level 5 qualification would not be possible.

1.D Ways to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment

In order to provide a safe and supportive environment for learners to learn within there are several
factors which need to be considered. There are two main aspects to creating a safe environment one
is that there needs to be a safe physical environment and a safe emotional environment (Machin et
al., 2015).

A safe physical environment includes having a well maintained and well-equipped building to work
within. This means that there must be a good Risk Assessment in place for the building ensuring it
complies with Health and Safety law (HSE, 1974 and 2009). Ensuring learners can work and learn in a
building which is safe and clean to learn within.

Within my role I have to go out into a variety of businesses and must comply with their Security rules
and Health and Safety rule sin order to Train and Coach on their site. In addition, the learners will
sometime come to the college and I must ensure they have been signed in and are in safe learning
meeting room and we comply with on-site rules as well.

One example of where this can be challenging is that you can be working in any kind of room and be
able to be extremely flexible in the environment you train the learner in. For example one of my
clients is the Well Pharmacy and I work at their Head Office in amongst all the machinery and with
no natural light coming into the site. The learners are not given permission to come to the college
and so we must work within these conditions. It is not an ideal learning environment although it is
safe and complies with all HSE regulations. However, I have to work hard to coach these learners to
look for the positives and learn in whatever environment we are given. The other alternative is that
they cannot complete their qualification.

The second component is to maintain an emotional environmental which is safe and supportive.
Maslow (1962) reveals that we must have an emotionally secure environment in order to thrive. In
particular to ensure that bullying is not promoted and is identified and challenged and appropriate
interventions are put in place.

In my role I often hear how learners are treated within their own environments by their managers
and colleagues. As a result of the professional qualification the learners are studying I try and
incorporate the behaviours and learnings into their coaching and training. On occasions, I have had
to challenge and intervene by bringing managers into the meeting to support the learner and even
challenge bullying behaviours in managers.

Bibliography
Capes, K. (2023) Embracing Equality and Diversity. Available at:
https://brooksandkirk.co.uk/embracing-equality-and-diversity-in-education (accessed
12 January 2024)

Ginnis, P. (2005) The teacher’s toolkit. Norwalk, CT: Crown House Pub. Co.

Gravells, A. (2000) Teaching and learning, Ann Gravells. Available at:

https://www.anngravells.com/information/teaching-and-learning (Accessed: 13 Jan 2024).

Petty, G. (2004) Teaching Today: A practical guide. Third Edition, Cheltenham: Nelson

Skinner, B. F. (1951). How to teach animals. Freeman.