Guidelines for Consultants of Study Circles (English)

GUIDELINES FOR
CONSULTANTS OF
STUDY CIRCLES
These guidelines were developed by a group of authors listed below, and they
represent experience accumulated during the “Education for Change” project
in various countries around the Baltic Sea. The project was supported by EU
Comenius 2.1. programme.
Authors:
Gitte Jutvik, Världsnaturfonden WWF, Sweden
Peter Wiborn, Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan, Sweden
Ludmila Glushkova, Kaliningrad State University, Russia
Inese Liepina, Bērnu Vides skola, Latvia
Editor: Inese Liepina, Bērnu Vides skola, Latvia
English proof reading: Zane Olina
© Vides Vēstis
© Design: Ilze Ramane
© authors
Not for commercial use. Free to use for educational purposes.
CONTENT
Welcome to Our Team! 4
Why and How to be a Consultant
5
How to Handle Disagreements in a Study Circle Group
7
How to Organize the Work of a Study Circle
8
How to Monitor the Work of a Study Circle 11
WELCOME TO OUR TEAM!
We stand at a critical moment
in Earth’s history, a time when
humanity must choose its
future. As we realise that the
world becomes increasingly
interdependent and fragile, the
future at once holds great peril
and great promise. To move
forward we must recognize
that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and
life forms we are one human
family and one Earth community with a common destiny.
We must join together to bring
forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights,
economic justice, and a culture
of peace… We, the peoples of
Earth, must declare our responsibility to one another, to
the greater community of life,
and to future generations.
(The Earth Charter, Preamble)
(http://www.earthcharter.org/
earthcharter/charter.htm)
Thank you for your willingness to act as a consultant. You are about to take part
in a journey, which most certainly will result in new knowledge about what sustainable development means in a very profound way. Being a consultant means
becoming a person who guides, supports, encourages, gives advice, and provides
professional support to the study circle participants.
Sustainability can only be achieved if man and nature are viewed holistically, as
part of a single system. Each subsystem of this one larger system must be viewed
and handled in a sustainable way. Even if we in the “Education for Change” project
focus primarily on the ecological aspect of the sustainable development debate, we
need to bear in mind that the economic and social dimensions of the environment
must be viewed as equally important subsystems. For instance, consideration of
the social dimension reminds as about the importance of political institutions for
ensuring democracy, which is crucial for sustainability. The purpose of the “Education for Change” initiative is to create a new fun, democratic and very practical
approach to creating a vision, and developing methods and materials that contribute toward education for sustainable development (ESD). It is important that you
as a consultant are familiar with the concept of sustainable development and have
thought about its implication for society.
Sources of Knowledge
One important source of knowledge in a study circle is the knowledge and experience of the participants. Often, a study circle uses written material, but it is
important to use knowledge that resides in the “hearts, minds and bodies” of the
participants in a study circle. There is usually a circle leader in the study circle who
leads the group discussions and who may also deliver a lecture from time to time.
During our “Education for Change” project we have also identified the need for
external resource persons, consultants or facilitators, who can support the work of
one or several study circles simultaneously. These consultants are people that are
skilled in educational methods and knowledgeable about environmental questions
and issues concerning sustainable development. You are one of these. You will be
responsible for the first and final meeting, for communication with the groups
during and between the four study circle meetings over the period of about three
to six months.
It is important that you as consultant are familiar with the study circle method we
use. Please review general description of the method in the Manual for Participants of Study Circles.
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GUIDELINES FOR CONSULTANTS OF STUDY CIRCLES
WHY AND HOW TO BE
A CONSULTANT
We are confident that by using the study-circle method many teachers will experience the joy of thinking and working together. They will create, develop, work
with, and evaluate new teaching ideas and methods in order to give their students
the ability to engage in activities that foster sustainable development. Entering the
road of education for sustainable development is exciting, but it is also often filled
with real and imaginary obstacles. Your role as a consultant is to support and guide
the study circle groups on their journey. You will serve as a facilitator who follows
the group’s work, sharing your advice, helping the group members reflect upon
their choices and ideas, and assisting the group in identifying and connecting with
relevant experts, local authority officials, various organisations, and so on.
To be a successful consultant, you must engage in the following behaviours:
Be diplomatic – listen to what people really say rather than what you
think they say, and attempt to hear everyone’s perspective without
prejudice.
Act as an advisor – ask the groups how they would like to develop
an idea first before you give them advice; then you can help them by
sharing your opinion based on your extensive experience.
Be respectful – respect people’s beliefs and thoughts. For example, if
you do not agree with a proposed solution to a problem, ask group
members to further explain their position, to consider what would
happen if their solution was implemented, or ask them to explore
alternative solutions rather than simply opposing their idea.
Be professional – try to help based on your experience and from the
bottom of your heart. Dare to provide specific and precise advice
when you feel as a professional that your solution is definitively the
best way to do something.
There are some questions that are especially helpful to use when communication
with the study circle groups:
•
•
•
•
What….? (What is needed now? What do you think about?...etc)
When…? (When did you think about it? When is the best time? When does this happen?)
How…? (What would be the best way to do it? How did the
lecture go?)
Who…? (Who was in charge? Who will be taking care of...?
Who made you angry?)
The question ”why” should be used less frequently because ”why” questions frequently make people uncomfortable.
As a consultant:
Be professional, be relaxed and be present in the situation – then creativity and joy
will flow!
Peter Wiborn, Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan, Sweden
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GUIDELINES FOR CONSULTANTS OF STUDY CIRCLES
It is very important that everyone feels safe and comfortable. You can
use different activities for this such as games and so on, but another
very useful technique is making rules for working together. Some examples of such rules are: everyone is important, listen to others, support your colleagues as much as you can, don’t criticise, don’t ”kill”
ideas, etc. Make the rules together with participants!
Try to create an informal, relaxed atmosfere during the meetings.
Serving tea or coffee, lighting candles, and decorating the room with
flowers will help create a feeling that everyone is welcome.
Don’t intervene too much - let the group work on what they feel is
important, but - don’t believe the group when they say that they don’t
have any problems! Then go and visit them!
Inese Liepina, Bērnu Vides skola, Latvia
Consultant encourages, inspires, and supports the group members.
You have to consider all participant questions and ideas. Summarize,
point out important issues, find good and original things, highlight
something special, identify problems, and help to solve them. Give
your advice in such a way so that the group would feel – it was their
idea. Always ask the group: „What do you think?” Working with the
participants’ ideas, try to keep the group focused and working toward
the intended idea of the project. Learn yourself!
Ludmila Gluskova, Kaliningrad State University, Russia
Be a good listener and a structured guide. Use your teaching and sustainable development experience!
Gitte Jutvik, Världsnaturfonden WWF, Sweden
Suggest, but don’t prescribe! All decisions should be made by the
group members themselves. Ask the group about everything – what
they did, what has been achieved, what kind of support they need –
the participants will feel that you are interested in their success.
Don’t stop because of failures. Give credit for each success – this will
multiply the enthusiasm of the group members and increase their
willingness to take on new challenges.
Elita Lavrinovica, Bērnu Vides skola, Latvia
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GUIDELINES FOR CONSULTANTS OF STUDY CIRCLES
HOW TO HANDLE DISAGREEMENTS
IN A STUDY CIRCLE GROUP
In a group working together conflicts sometimes occur. They can originate from
different ways of solving problems or different ways of working. They may also
relate to different personalities or backgounds.
There is no easy way of handling conflicts. There are some pieces of advice which
may be of help.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Say „I personally feel…” when the conflict is a question of
relationship between persons in the group.
Very often conflicts came from misunderstanding. Try to find out why the situation arose.
If the problem is about practical matters: go back to what you
agreed in the beginning and discuss this conflict from this point of wiew.
Ask for practical examples of what the participants feel is wrong.
Try to have a good climate for discussion – without shouting.
Direct communication is better than gossip.
As a leader – try to remind group that person attacked by others also have made positive contributions to the work of the group.
(From „Study Circles Leaders’ Training & Reference Manual”,
Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan)
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GUIDELINES FOR CONSULTANTS OF STUDY CIRCLES
HOW TO ORGANIZE THE
WORK OF A STUDY CIRCLE
All working processes of a study circle are carried out under the guidance of the
consultant and include active participation of the consultant in the first and final
meetings. The middle 4 to 5 meetings are typically organized independently by the
group without participation of the consultant.
Before the first meeting:
Decide on the composition of the target group: should these be teachers from one
school or several schools?
Decide about the best way to contact schools:
•
•
•
To write a letter to all schools in the region?
To disseminate information about study circles at teacher
conferences and other events?
To start with an “open seminar” about the study circle method
and education for sustainable development?
If you choose “an open seminar”, we suggest you use different active participatory
methods during this event – discussions, outdoor activities, etc. Of course, you
should also explain the study circle method and how the school could use it. You
will get at least some interested schools for further contacts after such a seminar.
Before you meet a group for the first time, you should meet with the school headmaster and discuss why the school wishes to participate in the initiative. Discuss
their expectations. Would the school like to receive new teaching materials, to
strengten their team, to try new methods, or to involve more teachers in education
for sustainable development? You should know this before you start your work
with the group. Headmaster support is crucial for the success of a study circle! An
agreement with the headmaster before the start of a study circle is a good way to ensure that the participating teachers will be given sufficient time for participation.
The first meeting of the study circle is devoted to formulating the goals for
the work of the study circle, selecting a topic or an issue, and development of a
draft work plan. This is also a good time to engage in discussions about sustainable development, education for sustainable development, and to find out how
participants understand these concepts. Typically this will be one full-day meeting
(8 hours) or two separate meetings (4 + 4 hours or 2+6 hours) whatever is more
convenient for the participants and the consultant.
The first meeting might follow this outline:
1. Participant introductions. (They might create original note-cards with different symbols and personal slogans such as “I am on the way to sustainable
development”, etc.)
2. Presentation of the study circle method.
3. Discussion about sustainable development and education for sustainable
development. The main purpose of this discussion is to understand “where
the participants are” in their understanding of these concepts before the start
of the study circle. (You may use Ecological Footprint or a similar activity).
4. Choosing the problem (topic) for the group’s work. Try to use the following basic criteria for topic selection: importance (for you and for your community), diversity (includes social, ecological and economical aspects), and
8
GUIDELINES FOR CONSULTANTS OF STUDY CIRCLES
applicability to the pedagogical process. Then discuss the project title. (Suggestion - including the phrase “sustainable development” in the title helps the
participants maintain their focus.)
5. Formulating the educational aims for the study circles work. (This might be
focused on students – what knowledge, skills, and attitudes you will develop
during this project.)
6. Discussions about the expected outcomes of the study circle – will this be
a lesson plan, an action plan, or activities for pupils? Will these be curricular
or extra-curricular activities? Will teacher guide/guidelines for teachers be
produced at the end of the project?
7. Dividing the responsibilities. Who will do what? Who will be the leader?
8. Development of plan for the group meetings.
This is a good time to agree on how often, for how long and where the group
will meet. The group may meet four times for three hours each or more frequently for shorter time periods – depending on what would work better with
regard to their other responsibilities at the school and class schedule. Create a
draft plan for the entire study period, e.g.:
• researching information about the topic and summarizing until the
2nd meeting;
• visits to relevant organizations or meetings with experts during the
3rd meeting,
• discussions about forms and methods during the 4th meeting,
• final version of materials (projects, lesson plans, etc.) created by the the 5th meeting,
• final meeting (presenting results, evaluation).
Then have the group make a detailed plan for the 2nd meeting and the time
between the first and the second meetings– what should be done before the
meeting, who will do it, and how the results will be communicated.
9. Definition of criteria for evaluating progress.
Ask the group to evaluate their work all the time. At the end of each meeting,
discuss with the group:
• What have we done to reach our goal today?
• What problems we had and why?
Ask the study the circle leader to summarize the group’s answers and to send
to you after each meeting. That way you will know what happens in the group
and what kind of support they need.
Second to fifth meeting (or more)
Group work after the agreed upon study plan.
Each meeting could follow this basic structure:
• welcome, overview of the meeting;
• what has happened since the last meeting;
• homework results;
• work/discussions about the meeting´s topic – new methods, contacts, and ideas;
• summary (for example, by letting everyone briefly share what they have learned);
• agreement on who will do what for the next meeting;
• decide when to meet the next time;
• conclude the meeting.
Some meetings will have a different structure, for example – field trips, visits to
other organizations, but basically this framework will work for most meetings.
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GUIDELINES FOR CONSULTANTS OF STUDY CIRCLES
Final meeting
You can meet with the group again for a full day (8 hours) or divide this meeting
into two parts (4+4 hours). Sometimes it is better if evaluation of the work takes
place after some time – then the participants have more time for reflection.
At the final meting, it is very important to present the work of the study circle and
to give an opportunity for everyone to present his own work. The final meeting
should be something very special because everyone has put so much effort into
this activity. Celebrate your work!
Example
Teachers from Mosty Primary School in Poland in cooperation with their consultant
prepared a project proposal for additional funding. The success of the initiative was
celebrated during the final meeting of the study circle along with parents and local authorities. During this meeting, the community leader made an announcement about
the additional financial supportthat had been granted to the school.
It is a good idea to prepare an overview table demonstrating all the educational
work that has been carried out at the school. Add this table to the group’s report.
Example (align it with your national curriculum - this is an example from the Kaliningrad region in Russia):
№
Subject
Grade
Chapter
Topic
1
2
Social Science
Biology
8
6
Man and Nature
Living Environment
Ecological Factors
The Future of Cod
Cod’s Habitat
Ecological Problems of the Baltic Sea
3
English
6
The Sea
4
Literature
8
Russian Literature
5
6
Pentastich
6
Native
Language
Geography
6
Hydrosphere
7
Geography
8
8
Biology
11
Geography of the
Kaliningrad region
Biosphere
No.of
Lessons
2
2
Sea Animals
Professions Connected to the Sea
The Novel by the Russian Writer N.Gogol
Revizor. A play about cod from this novel
Students Create Poems About Cod
2
Sea – Living Environment (the Baltic Sea as
an Example)
Fish Processing in the Kaliningrad Region –
Conflicts of Interests
Role play – “Cod at the Turn of the Century.
Conflicts of Interests”
4
1
1
4
2
You could also show children’s work during the last meeting. It is a very good idea
to make an exibition of children’s work.
During this meeting, it is necessary to find out whether the group reached its goals
and what outcomes have been achieved. Ask these questions:
•What positive outcomes did we achieve?
•What problems did we encounter?
•What lessons have we learned that could be useful to other groups?
Discussion about the future is also important. Do the group members:
•want to continue with other subject areas;
•invite other collegues;
•try the method in the classroom with pupils; or
•exchange experiences with other schools?
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GUIDELINES FOR CONSULTANTS OF STUDY CIRCLES
HOW TO MONITOR THE
WORK OF A STUDY CIRCLE
The work in the beginning of a study circle should be more oriented toward finding information, organizing discussions, lectures, and field trips, or identifying experts. The main activities plan for the second phase of the study circle (at least one
meeting prior to the end of the project) should be devoted to participant reflections on what they did, what they have accomplished and to prepare for the final
meeting.
Communication between the consultant and the group leader are especially important during the independent work. The group members should feel the support
from consultant. Communication between the consultant and the group leader
can be carried out by phone, e-mail, or during face-to-face meetings immediately
following each study circle meeting.
It is important for the consultant to learn about the successes and especially - about
difficulties the group may have encountered.
The consultant might discuss the following questions with the group leader:
Does the work proceed according to the plan?
What was discussed during the meeting?
What difficulties did the group encounter?
You could use also a special report form which must be completed by the study circle leader after each meeting. Such brief reports will make it easier for you to follow
their work. An example of such a report form is enclosed on the next page.
Well, it’s about time for you to begin your work with a study circle!
Have a good time together!
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GUIDELINES FOR CONSULTANTS OF STUDY CIRCLES
Šīs vadlīnijas tapušas projekta „Izglītība pārmaiņām” pieredzes rezultātā.
To tapšanā līdzdarbojusies autoru grupa no dažādām valstīm Baltijas jūras krastos.
Autori:
Gitte Jutvik, Världsnaturfonden WWF, Zviedrija
Peter Wiborn, Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan, Zviedrija
Ludmila Gluškova, Kaļiņingradas Valsts universitāte, Krievija
Inese Liepiņa, Bērnu Vides skola, Latvija
Laipni lūgti mūsu komandā!
Paldies par Jūsu vēlmi darboties kā studiju apļu konsultantam! Jūs gatavojaties uzsākt ceļojumu, kurš, visticamāk,
novedīs Jūs pie jaunām zināšanām par to, kas ir ilgtspējīga attīstība plašākā nozīmē. Būt par konsultantu nozīmē, būt
par cilvēku, kas vada, atbalsta, iedrošina un sniedz padomus un profesionālu atbalstu studiju apļu dalībniekiem.
Ilgtspējīga attīstība var tikt sasniegta, ja cilvēku un dabu skata vienā veselumā kā daļu no kopīgas sistēmas. Katra daļa lielākā sistēmā ir jāskata ilgtspējības kontekstā. Pat ja šajā projektā mēs fokusējamies vairāk uz ilgtspējības
ekoloģiskajiem aspektiem, tomēr arī tad mums jāatceras, ka sociālā un ekonomiskā dimensija ir vienlīdz nozīmīgas.
Piemēram, pievēršanās sociālajam aspektam mums atgādina par politisko institūciju nepieciešamību demokrātijas
nodrošināšanai, kas ir būtiska ilgtspējīgai attīstībai. Projekta “Izglītība pārmaiņām” mērķis bija izveidot jaunu, interesantu, demokrātisku un ļoti praktisku ceļu kā radīt vīziju, izstrādāt mācību metodes un materiālus, kas palīdz
realizēt izglītību ilgtspējīgai attīstībai (IIA). Ir svarīgi lai Jūs kā studiju apļu konsultants būtu pazīstams ar ilgtspējīgas
attīstības būtību un būtu padomājis par tās iedzīvināšanu sabiedrībā.
Nozīmīgākais zināšanu avots studiju aplī ir dalībnieku pašu pieredze un zināšanas. Bieži studiju apļi izmanto speciālus
rakstiskus materiālus, bet vissvarīgāk ir izmantot zināšanas, kas ir pašiem studiju apļu dalībniekiem! Studiju aplim
parasti ir vadītājs, kas vada diskusijas grupā un reizēm sniedz kādu informāciju. Šajā projektā mēs esam sajutuši
vajadzību arī pēc konsultanta, kas atbalsta viena vai vairāku studiju apļu darbu vienlaicīgi. Konsultanti ir cilvēki,
kas pārzina mācību metodes, vides un ilgtspējīgas attīstības jautājumus. Jūs esat viens no šiem cilvēkiem! Jūs būsiet
atbildīgs par pirmo un pēdējo studiju apļa tikšanos, par saziņu ar grupu starp viņu patstāvīgās tikšanās reizēm trīs
līdz sešu mēnešu garumā.
Ir svarīgi lai Jūs kā konsultants pārzinātu studiju apļu metodi. Par to Jūs varat izlasīt grāmatā “Rokasgrāmata studiju
apļu dalībniekam”.
Peter Wiborn, Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan, Zviedrija
KĀPĒC UN KĀ BŪT PAR
KONSULTANTU?
Mēs esam pārliecināti, ka izmantojot studiju apļu metodi, skolotājiem būs prieks strādāt un domāt kopā! Viņi radīs
jaunas metodes un idejas, kā attīstīt skolēnos spēju rīkoties ilgtspējīgāk. Iet pa izglītības ilgtspējīgai attīstībai ceļu ir
aizraujoši, bet bieži vien tas ir pilns ar reāliem un iedomātiem šķēršļiem. Jūsu loma kā konsul-tantam ir atbalstīt un
vadīt studiju apļus šajā ceļā. Jūs sekosiet līdzi grupas darbam, dosiet viņiem padomus, izvērtēsiet viņu idejas un, ja
nepieciešams, palīdzēsiet viņiem kontaktēties ar ekspertiem, speciālistiem un organizācijām.
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