SZ6118 We learn (in) a circle

Faculty of Education
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 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)
Mgr. Lenka Gulová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. et Mgr. Martina Kurowski, Ph.D.
Department of Social Education – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Dana Jakubjanská, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of Social Education – Faculty of Education
Prerequisites (in Czech)
!NOWANY( SZ6013 Drama Education in Teaching Practice , SZ6014 Global Development Education in Teachers Preparation , SZ6015 Cross-curricular Subjects in the National Framework Programme , SZ6016 Methods of Respecting Education Training , SZ6018 Personal and Social Education , SZ6019 Support of Student's Elf-development through Coaching Techniques , SZ6020 Specifics of Working in a Multiethnic Classroom , SZ6021 Social Pathology in Secondary Education , SZ6022 Values Education in Teaching Practice , SZ6023 Gifted Student's Education , SZ6119 Projects as a Tool for Developing Competences for Edupreneurship , SZ6120 Case Studies, Analysis and Interpretation of Educational Situations in Schools )
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 44 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/44, only registered: 0/44, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/44
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 61 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
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).
Syllabus
  • 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.
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
    recommended literature
  • Baldwin, Ch. (2010). The Circle Way: A Leader in Every Chair. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Teaching methods
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.
Assessment methods
credit - active participation (self-experience and self-reflection)
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught each semester.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses

Zobrazit další předměty

The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2025/SZ6118