Ped1130 We learn (in) a circle

Faculty of Education
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2/.7. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Martina Kurowski, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Eva Dittingerová (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. et Mgr. Martina Kurowski, Ph.D.
Department of Social Education – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Ing. et Ing. Jana Šajkovicsová
Supplier department: Department of Social Education – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
Ped1130/KombiSem01: No timetable has been entered into IS. E. Dittingerová
Ped1130/KombiSem02: Fri 13. 3. 14:00–17:50 C2 učebna, Fri 27. 3. 9:00–12:50 A51 učebna, M. Kurowski
Ped1130/PrezSem01: Fri 27. 2. 9:00–11:50 -D11 tělocvična, 13:00–15:50 -D11 tělocvična, Fri 13. 3. 9:00–11:50 D16 učebna, 13:00–15:50 A31 učebna, Fri 20. 3. 9:00–11:50 A42 seminární místnost, 13:00–15:50 A42 seminární místnost, Fri 10. 4. 9:00–11:50 -A16 učebna, 13:00–15:50 -A16 učebna, E. Dittingerová
Ped1130/PrezSem02: Thu 26. 2. 13:00–16:50 D24 učebna, Thu 5. 3. 13:00–16:50 D24 učebna, Thu 19. 3. 13:00–16:50 D24 učebna, Thu 26. 3. 13:00–16:50 D24 učebna, Thu 16. 4. 13:00–16:50 D24 učebna, Thu 7. 5. 13:00–16:50 D24 učebna, M. Kurowski
Prerequisites (in Czech)
(!NOWANY( Ped1040 Drama Education in Teaching Practice , Ped1050 Global Development Education in Teachers Preparation , Ped1060 Cross-curricular Subjects in the National Framework Programme , Ped1070 Methods of Respecting Education Training , Ped1080 Personal and Social Education , Ped1090 Specifics of Working in a Multiethnic Classroom , Ped1100 Social Pathology in Secondary Education , Ped1110 Values Education in Teaching Practice , Ped1120 Gifted Student's Education , Ped1140 Projects as a Tool for Developing Competences for Edupreneurship , Ped1150 Case Studies, Analysis and Interpretation of Educational Situations in Schools , Ped1230 Support of Student's Elf-development through Coaching Techniques ,Ped3040, Ped3050 Global Development Education in Teachers Training ,Ped3060,Ped3070,Ped3080,Ped3090,Ped3100,Ped3110, Ped3120 Education of Talented Students ,Ped3130,Ped3140, Ped3150 Case Studies, Analysis and Interpretation of Educational Situations in Schools , Ped3230 Support of Student's Self-development through Coaching Techniques ) && (SEMESTR(1) || SEMESTR(2)) && FORMA(P)) || (!NOWANY( Ped1040 Drama Education in Teaching Practice , Ped1100 Social Pathology in Secondary Education , Ped1140 Projects as a Tool for Developing Competences for Edupreneurship ) && (SEMESTR(1) || SEMESTR(2) && FORMA(K)))
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 97 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 61/97, only registered: 1/97, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 1/97
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 77 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Abstract
The course presents the circle practice (Way of Council), which can be very meaningfully used in the school environment. It is a way of group work based on non-hierarchical communication, which encourages active listening and honest expression. It is a specific practice most often implemented in a circle arrangement, which brings participants inspiration, new perspectives, experiences, understanding, contributes to conflict resolution or group decision-making. Council differs from other circle practices, for example, by the variety of forms, intentions, the role of the facilitator, etc. Council offers a safe framework for both the social and emotional development of students and academic learning. Objective of the course - aims of the course unit: 1. Knowledge of the history of circle practices, definition of application in various types of environments. 2. Introduction and implementation of various forms of council. Understanding and evaluation, based on one's own experience, the role of the participant, witness and facilitator in connection with the teaching profession. 3. The use of council in the case of defining learning content, passing and elaborating curricula, evaluating understanding, setting intentions and celebrating success. 4. Assessment of the appropriate form of council when working with heterogeneous groups (eg pupils with special educational needs).
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to (learning outcomes): 1. Understand and define the history of circle practices and apply it in various types of environments. 2. Implement in practice various forms of council. 3. Reflect their role as a participant, witness and facilitator of council. 4. Classify the implementation of council in the case of defining learning content, passing and processing the curriculum, assessing understanding, setting intentions and celebrating success. 5. Assess the possibilities of working with the diversity of all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs, how to create a culturally relevant and sensitive classroom climate (conflict exploration).
Key topics
1. Introduction to the practice of council, history of circle practices, presentation of objectives and mapping of expectations. 2. Warm-up activities and games in the circle as part of the introduction of council in school environment. Basic elements of council (intentions, talking piece, role of facilitator, principles). 3. Different forms of council (basic, web, fish bowl, learning circle, dyad, virtual circle, witness circle, etc.). Practice of council intentions. 4. Topics and prompts of council, principles for appropriate formulation of prompt. 5. The role of the facilitator and participant of council in the context of pedagogical professions. 6. Application of council in various pedagogical situations. 7. Challenges of working in a circle with a diverse group (different age and social groups of pupils). 8. Students' own practice and its reflection.
Study resources and literature
    required literature
  • ZIMMERMAN, Jack M. and Virginia COYLE. Cesta poradního kruhu : umění otevřené komunikace. Translated by Saša Neuman. V Praze: DharmaGaia, 2016, 379 stran. ISBN 9788074360619. info
  • BANĎOUCHOVÁ, Petra; Eva DITTINGEROVÁ and Martina KUROWSKI. Poradní kruh jako součást školní praxe (Council as part of school practice). 1st ed. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2022, 24 pp. ISBN 978-80-280-0118-6. info
    recommended literature
  • Baldwin, Ch. (2010). The Circle Way: A Leader in Every Chair. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching

Students will experience council as participants and facilitators (in tandem directly within the seminar and in their own pedagogical practice), the seminar will also include a reflection on facilitator practices.

The emphasis in teaching is primarily on interactive teaching methods and methods that encourage students to collaborate. Students are colleagues to each other; the student-teacher hierarchy does not play a role in this course. Based on the methods used, students construct their own knowledge. Students are seen as individuals with diverse needs, and this is how we approach them in the course. 

Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
credit - active participation (self-experience and self-reflection) + facilitator logbook (written output)
Alternate completion
The course can be taken in an alternative form after prior agreement with the course guarantor.
Language of instruction
Czech
Study support
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/ped/jaro2026/Ped1130/index.qwarp
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught each semester.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses

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Teacher's information
In case of illness, we ask all students to immediately notify their teachers and the study department. Any limitations, if known to us, can be addressed and should not be an obstacle to active participation in classes.
If you have any specific requirements, you can also contact the course instructor or get in touch with the Teiresias Center or the MU Counseling Center.
All differences are welcome. We are open to religious, cultural, and gender differences, and respect for diversity is essential to this course.
The course and the instructors respect diversity, and any discrimination will not be tolerated. We look forward to working with you, the teaching team ;-)
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2027.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2026/Ped1130