Setting ground rules

Do agree ground rules at the start of you course to enable the group to work together successfully. These set a culture of expectations and are useful to refer back to if things go wrong.

For a live class these can include

• Arrive on time

• Turn mobiles off or put them on silent in class

• Who to let know if you can't come and how

• Respect each other and each other's views

• Give work in on time, or doing required reading before classes (if appropriate)

• Respect diversity. City Lit has zero tolerance for insulting or derogatory comments.

For an online class you need to set additional special ground rules such as

• Keeping microphone muted

• Keeping video on unless there is a reason to have it off

• How students should to signal they want to speak.

• Netiquette - see unit 8 for links to a netiquette video you can show your students.

Additionally your subject area may necessitate specific ground rules, for example:

• what to wear

• how to manage chemicals or equipment

• guidelines on reading out sensitive material in class ('duty of care')

• confidentiality issues

Group contracts

Group contracts are negotiated and agreed formally by both teachers/trainers and participants and are particularly suitable for sessions or courses which require a high level of group participation, trust and interaction such as in Counselling.

For a group contract

• Ask students to work in small groups, each considering a different question.

– What do you expect from the tutor?

– What do you expect from each other?

– What does the tutor expect?

• Collect their answers, then type them up for the next session. Ask everyone to agree to the list, and remove anything they (or you) can’t commit to.