Education and Training: Examining Three Areas of Responsibility in Classroom Management

Examining Three Areas of Responsibility in Classroom Management

by Denise N. Fyffe

Every teacher has a responsibility to their students. Educators should understand that we must create a positive learning environment for students and use the best tools for our job. It is even more important that we manage our classrooms efficiently so that every learner gets the best opportunity to learn and excel. Using all the resources available to us will ensure that our students are motivated to learn. Once students feel secure, they trust their teacher, they are more likely to ask questions, complete assignments, guide their learning, and are motivated (Young, 2014).

Teachers must also learn to apply these classroom management techniques in the best way for the age group they are teaching. Children approach learning differently as they age. To facilitate this a teacher can use a combination of the seven elements referred to by Cini (2017). These include scheduling, classroom design, discipline, rules, communication, instructional technique, and organization.

Classroom Management Techniques

All young minds need structure and guidance. This is best instituted when there are rules, without them, there is chaos. In the classroom, and by extension the school, students must learn to have respect for their peers and their teachers. As such, rules will need to be explained and posted in the classroom. A visual reminder is one of the best ways to ensure that the student is continually aware of how he or she must behave in the classroom (Cini, 2017).

Rules can be simple. For example, no talking during lessons, no hitting or verbal abuse or to “be respectful to all, to be on time, and to come prepared” (Choe, n.d.). Fewer rules ensure greater understanding and cooperation from students. If the rules are too complex, they tend to ignore them. Besides, they might ascribe an incorrect impression of a teacher’s character or personality. Teachers should also be understanding and patient when creating their rules. Choe (n.d.) shared her experience of berating her students for always leaving their pencils or writing implements. However, once she changed her strategy, her classroom became a more positive and efficient learning environment. She instructed her students to bring a dozen pencils each at the start of the year. In doing so, whenever they left their pencils at home, one was always waiting for them in the classroom. Choe was less frustrated and her relationship with her students improved.

Along with rules comes discipline. There must be consequences when rules are broken. This helps to foster some level of discipline among students. For this reason, many schools have a designated way to escalate issues, enforce rules, and students learn to conform to their environment. One shared memory of students all over the world is taking a trip to the principal’s office. It is one of the most dreaded experiences. Another common strategy used to maintain discipline is the threat of detention, written warnings, and demerits (Cini, 2017). These are also a part of the system of enforcing school rules and regulating student behavior. Failure to utilize these methods of classroom control, from the beginning, will hamper students learning. Teachers will have more disruptions in class and might succumb to stress and depression or feeling unfulfilled in their careers.

Another technique used to manage classrooms is scheduling. It incorporates how the lesson plan is structured and implemented. According to Cini (2017), students will function better if there are breaks between their instruction or lessons and assignments, which they complete inside the classroom. Also, ensuring that the lesson start and ends on time also aids for better classroom management. Teachers must avoid putting too much content into one lesson. While some students might thrive and find this a challenge, others will become frustrated and younger students might disrupt the class.

Expectations must be made known to students and any confusion clarified. This will allow them to have the best possible chances of handing in assignments on time and meeting any other related deadlines (Cini, 2017). For example, one of the requirements of this Master of Education program is to create and maintain a portfolio. While this might seem straightforward, the task requires students to possibly learn new software and a new way of storing their information. The institution has considered this, to some extent, and provided instructions, expectations, and even examples of how this portfolio should be created and maintained. They have also clearly specified when the portfolio will be accessed and graded by an instructor.

Another way to manage the classroom is to develop your teaching style or instructional technique. “Although you may not have flexibility over the content of your curriculum, teachers can convey information as they see fit.” (Cini, 2017). Taking into consideration your students learning styles, the subject, the grade level, and as it relates to today’s world, whether you are teaching face to face or online. If your class is made up of students who are visual learners, then your instructional technique must incorporate more visual aids. The same applies to whether you have auditory learners, then you will need to have discussions and lectures. For the best result, incorporate multiple modes of instruction.

In the classroom, there is no greater challenge than motivating students. Educators must seek to use diverse teaching tools to actively engage learners, as this will ensure their participation and engagement.  Fyffe (2014) quoting Callahan (2014) states that “teachers should integrate problem-based learning, collaborative learning, experiments, and the use of technology such as clickers; this allows for greater learner interaction and the chance for students to practice recently obtained skills and knowledge. Supplementing your lecture with guest lectures, a panel discussion, or student presentations can break the monotony and minimize passive observation.”

Teachers who are new to the classroom must learn that only time and experience will make the process easier when it comes to achieving and assimilating to positive classroom culture. This is always determined and maintained by the teacher. While some instructors are naturals and are more flexible in achieving cohesiveness in the classroom, others must learn from their mistakes. Students have different attitudes, values, experiences, home realities, learning styles, intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Teachers must adapt and learn to cater to every aspect of their students’ needs. Success might not come in a day, but so long as instructors persist, in time they will flourish as an expert teacher and achieve a positive and efficient learning environment.

 

 

References

Choe, Y. (n.d.). Becoming a positive teacher. Retrieved on November 17, 2020 from http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol4/405-newvoices.aspx

Cini, S. (2017).  Seven key elements for effective classroom management. Retrieved on November 16, 2020 from https://classroom.synonym.com/seven-elements-effective-classroom-management-6562940.html

Fyffe, D., (2014). The expert teacher’s guide on how to motivate students (1^st ed). Jamaica Pen Publishers.

Young, J. (2014). The importance of a positive classroom. Encouragement in the Classroom: How Do I Help Students Stay Positive and Focused. Retrieved on November 17, 2020 from http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/sf114049/chapters/The-Importance-of-a-Positive-Classroom.aspx

 

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About the writer:

Denise Fyffe, ICDL, DSP, BC, PGDE, M. Ed.
Poetess Denise N. Fyffe is a published author of over 40 books, and enjoys volunteering, counseling, mentoring, and engaging in new experiences. 

Check out her book The Expert Teacher’s Guide on How to Motivate Students

This handbook highlights the most efficient teaching techniques to motivate students. The Expert Teacher’s Guide on How to Motivate Students initially examines who is an expert teacher and how to become one. Then it will delve into how to get students to learn any subject by implementing effective motivation strategies.

Available at all online book retailers and Amazon.com.