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Teaching

Ways to improve appropriate behaviour Teaching

Communication is the key to managing and improving behaviour and disruption during sessions. It
should always be appropriate and effective, and to the level of your learners. To get through a session
without any behaviour issues or disruptions would be wonderful, but this very rarely happens. Usually,
disruptions or changes in behaviour occur because a learner doesn't follow the ground rules; for
example, they send text messages. If this is the case, politely ask them to stop, remind them of the
ground rules and how they are also disrupting their peers' learning.

Other occurrences happen because learners are bored, they don't understand what you are saying,
their attention span is different, or you are not challenging them enough. You could give an alternative
activity to stretch and challenge learning, get them involved with other learners or have a quick one-
to-one chat to find out why they are behaving that way.

Whatever the disruption might be, you need to handle it professionally to minimise any effect it may
have on teaching and learning. Don't just ignore the behaviour, address it immediately, however, with
experience you will realise that some things can be ignored providing this does not affect the safety
of your learners (e.g. a couple of learners whispering and you know it will shortly stop).

You may find it useful to maintain a record of the behaviour of your
learners during your sessions to help you prepare for future incidents.
For example, do certain learners become disruptive after a certain time
period has elapsed; when seated in particular combinations with
others, when asked to carry out a theory task, or when practical
activities are taking place? This information can be useful when
planning future sessions, for example, the timing of breaks, the use of
energiser activities or planning group work.

Behaviour patterns could highlight the need for additional support as
disruption could be a way of asking for help. You should lead by
example and always be polite, show respect and say please and thank you to help encourage
this behaviour in your learners.

Ways to improve appropriate behaviour include: Lesson Plans
• being well organised and enthusiastic
• challenging inappropriate behaviour as it occurs
• having a genuine interest in your learners and passion for the subject
• including all learners during discussions and activities
• keeping your sessions active wherever possible
• not showing favouritism, losing your temper, making threats or touching learners
• inappropriately
• teaching your subject in an interesting and challenging way
• trying to have a positive approach, praising performance and good behaviour, and being
consistent and fair to everyone

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