Week 7 Lecture – Relationships, Communication, and Partnerships

Core Purpose

• Effective communication underpins positive relationships with students, colleagues, and families.
• Education settings involve participants with diverse expertise, values, and beliefs—communication must bridge these differences.

AITSL Alignment

• Std 3.5 – Use effective classroom communication.
• Std 4 – Create & maintain supportive, safe learning environments.
• Std 7 – Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers, community.

Dimensions of Communication

• Mode: spoken, non-verbal, image, text.
• Purpose: questioning, instructing, etc.
• Participants: clarity, active listening, familiarity between speakers.

Connecting With Students

• Requires thoughtful preparation; classes are heterogeneous.
• Outcomes when connection is strong:
  • Sense of belonging & trust
  • Perceived safety → willingness to take risks

Universal Student Needs

• Belonging ➔ feel supported & integrated.
• Mastery ➔ learn from more knowledgeable others.
• Independence ➔ take responsibility, accept mistakes.
• Generosity ➔ contributions valued → willingness to help others.

Practical Approaches

• Learn & use every student’s name.
• Share attention evenly; know interests & needs.
• Demonstrate warmth, approachability, and professionalism simultaneously.

Student Perspectives (large US study)

• Teacher knows my name & something about me.
• Holds high expectations & clear boundaries.
• Treats students with respect (not infantilising).

Relationships With Colleagues

• Teaching is collaborative: classroom teachers, specialists, aides, therapists, cultural officers, health/welfare staff.
• Key practices:
  • Respect differing perspectives.
  • Negotiate solutions that benefit students.
  • Share knowledge, experiment collaboratively.

Relationships With Parents/Families

• Families vary in structure, resources, pressures.
• Build partnerships through:
  • Welcoming environment.
  • Knowledge of each family’s context.
  • Consistent, positive two-way communication.
  • Opportunities for classroom involvement.

Summary Points

• Positive relationships are fundamental to effective teaching; communication is the key mechanism.
• Teacher-dominated talk can inhibit learning.
• School, family, and community partnerships enhance outcomes when all aim to meet students’ needs.