Inclusive Learning – Ptlls

Unit 009 Understanding inclusive learning and teaching in lifelong learning I currently teach yoga to adults at the level of beginners, I have been teaching yoga classes for the past eighteen months. I have another year of study to undertake on the British Wheel of Yoga Diploma. My typical class sizes ideally should be between seven and fifteen students. Unfortunately I did not have enough students for my adult education course to run last term.

My ideal yoga class would be ninety minutes in length as this allows for adequate time to settle the class, physical posture work, pranayama (breathing control) and finally relaxation and reflection at the end of the session. Whilst I wouldn’t ordinarily use ice breakers when teaching a physical practice, I can definitely see the benefits of using them if I was teaching a workshop or session which involved academic type of learning such as ancient yoga philosophy, kriyas (cleansing techniques) or understanding the chakra system.

During this course we have learned that ice breakers are a good way to relax people and breakdown the barriers to learning and are best used at the start of the course. (1. 1) At the start of a term I do establish some ground rules with my students. As it’s a yoga class these rules usually centre around what is appropriate clothing, practicing in barefoot on a suitable mat, not eating a heavy meal before class, turning off mobile phones and discussion around working within their own physical capabilities.

Before undertaking this PTLLS course I did not understanding this information exchange to be ground rules. However I can now clearly see that these are indeed ground rules. They serve as a means of guiding the student through what is expected of them and making the class a safe lace to learn. (Daines et al 1993) suggest that people will learn best they feel secure and can try things out safely. (1. 2)

My main style of teaching is to offer a theme to the class and interweave that theme to promote learning in the students as well as them performing the physical postures and breathe control techniques. It is safe to say that the main strategy is to demonstrate the postures and then lead the students in active learning in the form of them practicing the postures. I do circulate around the class and offer adjustments and positive feedback where appropriate.

Whilst some students are well practiced in yoga others may need extra tuition. This can be done in a way that allows for differentiation a simple and classic way is by layering the way a posture is taught. This style of teaching ensures that everyone in the class can achieve something in a posture. It also ensures that the more advanced students feel challenged by the class. The methods which I commonly use are tutor led demonstration, verbal instructions and handouts.

These different methods of teaching are aimed at meeting the needs of the different styles of learners, thereby ensuring the maximum amount of student participation in the lesson. (Spillman 1991 p30) “The key to differentiated curriculum is the flexible use by teachers of a wide range of activities and lesson organizations”. (1. 3) (Word count 529) References Daines et al. (1993) Adult Teaching Adult Learning. Continuing Education Press: Nottingham Spillman,J. (1991) Differentiation – An approach to Teaching and Learning. Pearson Publishing: Cambridge