LIFELONG LEARNING

Roles, responsibilities and relationships in lifelong learning

Roles, responsibilities and relationships in lifelong learning

Teachers have different aspects to their role of teaching and each of these aspects changes with a diverse range of learners having different learning styles. Teacher is a facilitator of learning. The major roles and responsibilities of teachers include imparting knowledge, laying focus on the content of information, approaches to teaching and learning strategies, and underpinning values (Avis et.al, 2010, p. 77).



1.1Legislation, regulatory requirements and code of practice for the profession

Teachers are required to be updated with the legislation, regulatory requirements and code of practice for the profession. There is a set of legislative acts for the profession of lifelong learning. These acts include Equality Act 2010, Data Protection Act 2010, Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and the policy of Every Child Matters (Francis & Gould, 2012, p. 7). These regulatory requirements define the particular results that the institution and teachers should look towards achieving for their students. Equality Act ensures accessibility to lifelong learning with a view to diversity and equality. Data Protection Act ensures that integrity and confidentiality of student data is maintained. Health and Safety at Work Place Act ensures that a healthy and safe environment is maintained in the classroom for students' wellbeing. There are several other legislations such as Freedom of Information Act 2000, Protection of Child Act 1999, human Rights Act 1998 etc. (Gravells, 2010, p. 22). The responsibility of a lifelong learning teacher is to be updated and thoroughly aware of these acts. All the amendments in these acts should be followed by the teachers in order to treat all his students in an equal and just manner. The Code of Practice for lifelong learning teachers includes the following crucial elements (Frances, 2000, p. 12):

Care of learners

Respect for others

Professional Integrity

Disclosure of criminal offence

Teachers are required to follow this code of practice so that they treat their students and others in their profession in an appropriate manner.

1.2Analysis of responsibilities of teacher for promoting equality and valuing diversity

It is the responsibility of a teacher to promote equality and value diversity between the students of the classroom. Equality is defined as the rights of students to participate, attend, and have access to in their chosen learning experience. Equality is an issue that needs to be given priority in the classroom. Teacher should tackle any discrimination and inequality in order to ensure respect, decency and fairness among students. The act of Educational Needs and Disabilities 2001 states that students who are disabled hold the right that they should not be discriminated against during their educational period (http://www.legislation.gov.uk, 2001). As far as valuing diversity is concerned, the teacher should value diversity among students. Diversity is defined as respecting and valuing the differences between students irrespective of their abilities, age, individual characteristics, and circumstances. The teacher is required to follow Equality Act 2010. This act safeguards particular features to be included such as age, religious denomination, gender, disability, race, civil and marriage ...