The Real Meaning of Effective Classroom Management
Effective classroom management translates teacher knowledge into consistent teaching practice. While knowing your subject area, designing quality lesson plans and utilizing excellent instructional materials all contribute to a well-designed teaching environment, they do not translate into an effective learning environment without student engagement. Effective classroom management encompasses much more than simply ensuring that students remain quiet or refraining from misbehaving. It involves creating an atmosphere of respect, as well as a sense of purpose within the classroom.
As a fact, all teachers need some level of classroom management skills. Whether you are an experienced educator or newly trained. Every class has its own unique characteristics. The learner, technology, and physical classrooms continue to evolve. Therefore, teachers will continually be required to learn about, reflect on and expand upon their current practices.
Management Is More Than Control
A well managed classroom does not necessarily have to be a quiet one. In many classrooms there will be students who are engaged and learning effectively even when others are being disruptive and making noise. When Social Studies teachers use small group activities that require collaboration, a great deal of noise can be generated as long as the student’s conversation remains focused upon the topic at hand.
The appropriate question for teachers to ask themselves is, “Are my students completing the work I expect them to complete?
Set Clear Expectations and Routines
Teachers need to establish (teach) students what is expected from them in terms of punctuality, respect, participation, group work, and using classroom resources. They need to provide instructions that are very clear. For example, “Act appropriately when you’re working in a group” would be clearer if the teacher explained it as follows: “Each member needs to participate. Each member has a role: one person leads, one writes, one keeps time, and one presents.”
Learners benefit from predictable routines because they help eliminate confusion and lost time. Students need to know what procedures to follow at the beginning of the lesson, throughout the lesson (e.g., collecting materials), while participating in group activities (e.g., forming groups), and at the end of the lesson (submitting assignments). To illustrate this concept, a teacher could write down each day’s agenda on the board before students arrive for class and then have them start their independent activities once they arrive. In addition, a group leader can gather worksheets as opposed to having all members search the room for their papers.
Build Positive Relationships
Learners generally perform better when they have a teacher that is courteous and concerned about their development. There is no reason why a teacher cannot demonstrate authority and treat students with respect. For example, as opposed to yelling “You are consistently disrupting my class!”, a teacher could simply say, “Pay attention please. You will need this information for your next step.” A respectful manner of correcting a student’s behaviour will address the misbehaviour but avoid embarrassing the student. The positive relationship between the teacher and student will allow the teacher to understand possible causes of the misbehaviour. A student that refuses to participate may not be lazy; he/she may not fully comprehend the objective of the task or may be afraid of providing incorrect answers.
If multiple students do not finish an assignment, it would be wise for the teacher to question if the directions clearly communicated the expectations of the task and/or if the tasks were too difficult. Comprehending a student’s behaviour does not equate to tolerating misconduct. By understanding the motivation for a student’s behaviour, a teacher can select an effective means of responding.
Make Lessons Engaging
The relationship of effective classroom management to successful teaching is obvious. If students are left sitting passively for extended periods they may become disinterested and therefore less likely to focus. Active participation through meaningful activities allows students to remain engaged.
For example, a mathematics teacher could teach about percentages by asking the question “A school bag originally cost GH¢250, however the store has discounted it at 20%. What will be your final price?” Students would then be able to partner with each other and provide explanations as well as justifications for their calculated answer. Although there is now some movement within the classroom due to the activity that is taking place, all of this activity remains focused upon student learning.
Manage Your Emotions
When learners respond in an unresentful manner, responding with yelling can turn a minor issue into major confrontation. Teachers may answer calmly to maintain their authority and keep the class on schedule. “We will be discussing this at the end of our lesson. Right now let’s get back to our work,” is one example of a calming way to handle this.
Teachers are examples for learners. Learners watch how they (the teachers) react to anger, disagreements, and pressure.
Reflect
Every teacher has an experience of bad lessons. Teachers shouldn’t just think their lesson was “bad” but instead reflect on what happened with these questions in mind: Was it because of my instructions? Did they engage? How did I react to things going wrong? Can I do it differently for my next lesson?
They can also find out from others how to better manage groups, transitions, difficult behaviour etc. When they collaborate and reflect together, that experience becomes practice.
Conclusion
Effective classroom management is to create an environment in which students are aware of classroom rules and procedures; actively engaged with their peers and the teacher; treated fairly and respectfully; and focused on learning.
Classroom Management is a continuous learning process that includes both theoretical knowledge and practical application. As such, when a teacher consistently implements strategies based upon their knowledge base, classroom management will be far more than just behaviour management and will provide a solid foundation for effective teaching; student engagement; and meaningful learning.
WRITTEN BY:
WISDOM KOUDJO KLU,
EDUCATIONIST COLUMNIST,
GREATER ACCRA REGION.
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