SO540 Learning (in) the circle

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Martina Kurowski, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Eva Dittingerová (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
Timetable of Seminar Groups
SO540/01: Thu 14. 12. 9:00–17:50 učebna 19, Fri 15. 12. 9:00–17:50 učebna 19, Fri 12. 1. 10:00–14:50 učebna 39, E. Dittingerová, M. Kurowski
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 12/30, only registered: 0/30, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/30
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)
Study Materials
The course is taught each semester.
General note: Kurz je otevřen všem studentům PdF.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2021, Spring 2022, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2023, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/autumn2023/SO540