UNIT- 1: Classroom Management (6403)

 

Unit -1

INTRODUCTION TO CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Definitions of Classroom Management

Classroom management refers to those methods and strategies used by the educators to maintain a helping classroom learning environment. Effective classroom management is an indicator of student’s success. The primary purpose of the classroom management is to get control on the students.

“Classroom management is a multifaceted process which depends upon an engaging curriculum, student’s responsibility, appropriate teaching modeling, effective instruction, and management skills to work towards conflict resolution with individuals and the whole class.” (Mallory, M.2008)

Importance of Classroom Management

There are some important features of classroom management which are discussed below:

Consistent Routine

•         Students are able to participate in learning more effectively when they have a clear understanding of classroom procedures and their importance.

Effective Time Management

•         Effective time management leads the classroom to maximum learning output.  Once the students understand the procedure and routine of the classroom, they do work efficiently without extra instructions.

Positive Atmosphere 

•         A well managed classroom has a positive atmosphere. A friendly atmosphere provides opportunity to the learner to interact with teacher and peer groups, while on the other hand a stressful, negative and fearful atmosphere do not allow purposeful learning.

High Test Scores

•          The rationale of the test is not to bring forth the students mistakes but to guide them for good performance in the class. Those teachers, who effectively managed their classrooms, inform the students on a very first day that what they will learn from the particular unit because it makes the students ready for learning.

Student Impact

•         Effective classroom management is important because it has a great impact on the overall performance of the students such as their behaviour, organization skills, attitude, discipline and achievement etc. A well managed classroom provides a favorable environment for the intellectual growth of the students.

Engage Students

•         Classroom management is important for effective teaching because it engages the students in creative activities and makes them learn the material rather than memorizing them for classroom tests. A well managed classroom teaching involves the students in question answer, discussions and other motivating activities. It enhances the confidence of the students and makes the learning more effective.

Preparation

•         This is one of the most important tools of classroom management. Classroom management becomes more effective when the teacher is prepared before coming to the class. When the teacher comes without preparation in the class it gives a time to the students for creating disturbance in the class, and it causes problems for the teacher in formulating daily plan.

Importance of Goals by the Teacher for Classroom Management

Goals and objectives set by the teacher for the classroom management is very important. A teacher sets goals and objectives for mental and physical development of the students and to help them to achieve educational goals ultimately. It realizes them to feel more organized and responsible in their educational career. Goals and objectives are important for the classroom management for the following reasons.

 

I-                   Better Teaching

The teachers who set goals and objectives for their teaching, they force to make a good lesson plan and always try to accomplish their objectives. When a teacher has specific goals in mind, he must carefully plan how to achieve those goals and objectives. For this purpose the teacher needs to have depth understanding of curriculum that how to proceed the planning to cover it with in proper time. Students who have no command on those skills usually left behind, so by setting goals teachers carefully plan that how to teach the course while keeping all the students on the same pace.

II- Student Focus

Students, who are aware about the goals expected from them by the teacher, give a clear picture to them that where they have to focus their attention. The planned goals provide a chance to the students to learn more to reach to the already established criteria by a teacher for lesson.  This achievement of goals gives a sense of accomplishment to the students.

III- Teacher Goal-Setting

The teacher makes goals for lesson and tries to achieve them in classroom, and the students learn that what steps should be taken to reach to success in some activities.

IV- Motivation 

Motivation is one important principle of learning. The students cannot learn if they are not motivated. Motivation also plays an important role in the management of classroom, for example if the students are highly motivated to learning, they will carry on the daily activities with high zeal and the class will be automatically disciplined.

Designs/Styles of Classroom Management

The arrangement of desks in the classroom makes certain the safe learning and boost up students participation. The best teachers have a good understanding of seating arrangement in the class.  They always arrange the seats according to the needs of the students and the subjects.

Following are some of the arrangements styles of classroom seating.

1. Rows

Traditionally, the desks are arranged in rows, this allows the whole class to see the blackboard.  It is also easy both for teacher and students to walk around the desks in the class. It provides an opportunity to the teacher to timely assists the students individually in an easy manner.

2. Circle

Desks in a circle shape are designed in order to give more focus on the class as a group. This arrangement encourages all students to get involved in the class activities.  This kind of class design allows the students to have maximum interaction with their peers.

3. U-Style

U-style or horseshoe is the combination of both circle and row design. The horseshoe design is useful for group assignments, group discussions and lectures. The teacher desk is usually in the center of horseshoe design.  This type of class arrangement is very advantageous as the classroom become more spacious and both teachers and students can move easily in the class.

4. Clusters

 Most common styles of cluster design are seen in elementary schools in which clusters or groups of four or five desks are arranged. This kind of seating arrangement allows the students to do work in small groups and it can be easily changed if the teacher thinks it necessary.

5.  Pair Seating

In this type of classroom seating two students sit together around one table and there is a distance between the two tables having separate tables /desks for each student. The students can see the board and all other instructional aides easily in this arrangement. The teacher can judge the students and they can do the activities with mutual cooperation.

6.  Semi-Circle 

Semi-circle seating arrangement is when all the desks touch each other facing the front of the room in a semi-circle shape.  Besides students and teacher interaction the students can see instructional aides also. Many methods of teaching can be implemented in this type of classroom such as direct instructions, discussions, group activities etc as the students and teachers are in face to face communication. The teacher has full control on the class and discipline issues minimized. 

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