Investigate the phenomenon of bullying in teaching and learning, and engage with some verbal tools to use in acute bullying situations.

Course outline

This course is a series of two 1.5 hour workshops plus preparation activities.

Topics covered

This course is based on research at the University of Otago. Developed over six years, many insights about bullying have been brought to light, and an evidence-based program for countering bullying in education has been developed. The course covers:

• What is and isn’t bullying?  Where does it happen?    
• What effects can bullying have in the classroom and on learning?    
• What can help ameliorate bullying, and why?    
• Practical tools for developing one's own effective skills for prevention and tackling bullying. 

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• recognise the effects of bullying in education 
• analyse the risk areas for bullying in education and individual practice 
• identify the potential complexity of bullying issues in education 
• apply two multi-use skills for effective de-escalation of bullying aimed at learners and/or tutors.  

Who is it for?

 All tertiary educators of all levels and fields, particularly those who have witnessed bullying in the classroom or who are thinking about their own behaviour or that of colleagues.

About the facilitator

Dr Althea Blakey-Gamble

Dr Althea Blakey-Gamble (Alfie) has a passion for helping people work well together. Having earned a Masters in Health Science (Clinical Education) and a PhD in Medical Education, Alfie now teaches on the medical program at the University of Otago. Alfie researches issues around transgender healthcare and owns a small business offering workplace bullying intervention and other support services such as mentoring.

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