SOe306 Teaching and learning (in) the circle

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Martina Kurowski, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. et Mgr. Martina Kurowski, Ph.D.
Department of Social Education – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Mgr. et Mgr. Martina Kurowski, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Social Education – Faculty of Education
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
This course will present 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; sharing individual experiences helps to support an awareness of our inherent interrelatedness. This specific practice, most often implemented in a circle arrangement, brings participants inspiration, new perspectives, experiences, understanding and contributes to conflict resolution and group decision-making. The practice of council defies the boundaries of culture and language. 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, as well as their academic learning. • • 1. Knowledge of the history of circle practices and its application in various types of environments. • 2. Introduction and implementation of various forms of council. Understanding and evaluating the role of the participant, witness and facilitator based on one's own experience. • 3. The use of council in the case of defining learning content, passing on and elaborating curriculum, 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. Implement in teaching practice various forms of council. • 2. Reflect on the role of participant, witness and facilitator of council. • 3. Classify the implementation of council in the case of defining learning content, pass on and process the curriculum, assess understanding, set intentions and celebrate success. • 4. Assess the possibilities of working with the diverse classroom environment and create there a culturally sensitive climate (conflict exploration).
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to the practice of council, history of circle practices, presentation of course 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, fishbowl, wisdom 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 facilitator and participant of council in the context of pedagogical professions. Application of council in various pedagogical situations. • 6. Challenges of working in a circle with a diverse group (different age and social groups of pupils).
Literature
    required literature
  • Raphael, L.A. (2008). “Listening from the Heart, Speaking from the Heart”: Using Council to Transform the Middle School Classroom. Los Angeles. University of California. Online: https://www.dropbox.com/s/20gwnbohc0cn840/Leah%20Raphael%20UCLA%20Masters.pd
  • Poradní kruh ve školách (2016). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NioRoFQ_fPg
    recommended literature
  • Baldwin, Ch. (2010). The Circle Way: A Leader in Every Chair. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
  • Zimmerman, J., Coyle, V. (1996).The way of council. Bramble Books
Teaching methods
Group and pair work.
Assessment methods
Active participation in seminars (including reflection on personal experience of the seminars). • Practical Council experience outside the seminar with a goal group of children, youth or adults. • Sharing of personal reflections on the practical experience.
Language of instruction
English
Teacher's information
Classroom/online etiquette:• • - Be ready in the classroom (or online) 5 minutes before the starting time. • - Show consideration to the one talking by muting your microphones and otherwise maintaining silence. • - Be aware that your full focus and presence are no less required on-line, so please prepare an undisturbed space. • - Follow the teacher´s instructions.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2023, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/autumn2023/SOe306