Training Techniques

Q. I am delivering a lecture on behaviour management within the dance studio at secondary level. I wondered if you could give me any tips how to start the presentation, and if having role plays would be a good thing to include?

A. It depends a bit on your audience, but when I start an INSET session, I always begin with a 'getting to know you' activity. This is basically just a show of hands thing to get people to relax a bit. First I say 'I want to identify the rebels' and get everyone talking about where they sit. At the front? No. In the middle? No. At the back - oh yes there they are. This gets me up the back of the room and so demonstrates the idea of the teacher using the whole space. I then do a show of hands with some jokey and some real questions. For instance, 'does anyone have special needs', 'is anyone gifted and talented', 'who's happy to be out of the classroom right now', etc. etc. Whatever you choose as a 'starter', make it something quite light hearted so that you get everyone to relax and have a laugh.

In terms of role plays, I find quite a bit of resistance to this idea, so I normally introduce it in a really gradual way. What I mean is, at first it's just a 'come up to the front and hold something up for me', gradually asking more of them as their confidence increases. I only ever ask for volunteers rather than insisting, and I use a 'treasure box' of goodies to encourage them up. What I tend to do is take on most of the role plays myself, e.g. teacher losing temper, teacher having a nag, so that I do a 'right way/wrong way' kind of scenario. Hope that helps! Good luck, Sue.

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