© PMB 2007 Personal Development and Mutual Understanding Unit 3: Learning Environment and Methodologies

© PMB 2007 To know what is meant by the learning environment; To recognise how learning environments have changed over the years; To identify what makes a good learning environment for you and the children you teach; and To identify what conditions/methodologies need to be present to create a good learning environment to support PD&MU. Learning Intentions

© PMB 2007 Activity 1 Photo Activity

© PMB 2007 How has the learning environment changed? Why have the changes occurred? How do these changes reflect shifts in: - society; and - government policies on education, employment and social welfare? Look at the photographs and discuss:

© PMB 2007 Activity 2 What Makes a Good Learning Environment for Teachers and Children?

© PMB 2007 A positive learning environment for teachers A positive learning environment for pupils

© PMB 2007 Relationship and Sexuality Education Child Protection Diversity Discrimination Disability Drugs Personal Hygiene Bereavement and Loss Family Change Issues (divorce/unemployment) PD&MU Issues

© PMB 2007 The most important factors in creating a suitable learning environment for PD&MU are: your ability to professionally manage personal disclosures from students; your ability to establish confidentiality in the classroom; your commitment to adopting a consultative approach to the PD&MU curriculum; creating opportunities for pupils to express their opinions; and your personal qualities. Creating the PD&MU Learning Environment

© PMB 2007 Deal professionally with personal disclosures from pupils. Establish clear procedures regarding disclosures. Follow the DE policy. Explain that when it comes to safety issues, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Creating the PD&MU Learning Environment

© PMB 2007 Establish and maintain confidentiality in the classroom. Define confidentiality. Set expectations by: - establishing ground rules for the classroom; - clarifying and communicating your expectations of pupil behavior; and - establishing consequences. Creating the PD&MU Learning Environment

© PMB 2007 Adopting a consultative approach to the PD&MU curriculum It is statutory for schools to consult with children on: – child protection; – anti-bullying; and – drugs. It is good practice for schools to consult with children on Relationships and Sexuality Education. Use strategies to involve pupils, enable them to express their opinions and give them a voice. Creating the PD&MU Learning Environment

© PMB 2007 Create opportunities for children to express their opinions and have their voice heard by using: suggestion boxes; surveys; discussions; written comments; or School Councils. Creating the PD&MU Learning Environment

© PMB 2007 Activity 3 The Personal Qualities Necessary for a Good Learning Environment

© PMB 2007 Personal QualityDefinitionHow can we display this? Creating the PD&MU Learning Environment

© PMB 2007 The most important factors in creating a suitable learning environment for PD&MU are: your ability to professionally manage personal disclosures from students; your ability to establish confidentiality in the classroom; your commitment to adopting a consultative approach to the PD&MU curriculum; creating opportunities for pupils to express their opinions; and your personal qualities. Creating the PD&MU Learning Environment

© PMB 2007 Activity 4 Learning and Teaching Strategies

© PMB 2007 Activity 5 Our Current Expertise

© PMB 2007 How can we gather evidence of existing good practice in our school in terms of our learning and teaching strategies? How can we further develop our classroom practice with regards to the learning environment and learning and teaching strategies? How long would it take to implement these changes?

© PMB 2007 By now you should: know what is meant by the learning environment; recognise how learning environment has changed over the years; identify what makes a good learning environment for teachers and pupils; and identify what conditions/methodologies need to be present to create a good learning environment to support PD&MU. Conclusion