Circle solutions, a philosophy and pedagogy for learning positive relationships : what promotes and inhibits sustainable outcomes?

Educators are increasingly aware that the efficacy of social and emotional learning (SEL) is dependent on implementation factors, not just program content. These include the philosophy underpinning an intervention, the beliefs as well as the skills of facilitators, and the classroom/whole school context in which the intervention takes place. This article outlines the philosophy and pedagogy of Circle Solutions and presents findings from research where 18 undergraduate students supported and developed ‘Circle Time’ in 8 Greater Western Sydney primary schools for a university module on community service. The study indicates that when there is full teacher participation within the principles of the Circle philosophy, together with active school support that promotes relational values, the learning outcomes for positive relationship building are more sustainable.peer-reviewe

Cultural aspects of the search conference method.

The search conference is a method for dealing with complex multiparty issues in a constructive way. Although its primary objective is not framed as 'conflict handling', it can be useful as a mediation tool in situations that require an overall perspective and the participation of many different parties. This paper examines the cultural assumptions that underlie this method, referring especially to the reactions and behaviors of non-Western participants. Although our analysis of cultural assumptions will be broader, the empirical part will focus on Chinese participants. The first part of the paper discusses the search conference method from a cultural perspective. It describes the process as it is intended by the authors who developed the method, and elaborates its underlying assumptions. The second part of the paper consists of an empirical study of the reactions and behaviors of Chinese participants in two search conference simulations. Both observational and interview material will be used, as well as linguistic methods for the meaning of the concepts. The discussion focuses both on the assumptions regarding participating in the discussion, social norms and obligations, as on the different cultural meanings of concepts such as facilitating, consensus, collaboration and responsibility. Suggestions are made how the search conference may be made more culturally sensitive.Methods; Processes; Simulation; Studies;

Developing an Action Learning Community Advocacy/Leadership Training Program for Community Health Workers and Their Agencies to Reduce Health Disparities in Arizona Border Communities

Community health workers (CHWs) make unique and important contributions to society. They serve as patient advocates, educators, and navigators in our health care system and a growing body of research indicates that they play an important role in the effective delivery of prevention and treatment services in underserved communities. CHWs also serve as informal community leaders and advocates for organizational and community change, providing valuable insiders\u27 insights about health promotion and the interrelatedness of individuals, their community, its institutions, and the surrounding environment. Accion Para La Salud or Action for Health (Accion) is a CDC-funded community based participatory research (CBPR) project addressing the social determinants of health affecting health-related behaviors with the ultimate goal of creating a mode in which community advocacy to address the systems and environmental factors influencing health is integrated into the role of CHWs working in chronic disease prevention. Kingdon\u27s three streams theory and the social ecological model provide an overarching conceptual framework for Accion. The curriculum and training are also grounded in the theory and principles of action learning, which emphasizes learning by doing, teamwork, real-world projects, and reflection. The curriculum was delivered in four workshops over thirteen months and included longitudinal team projects, peer support conference calls, and technical assistance visits. It is now being delivered to new groups of CHWs in Arizona using a condensed two-day workshop format