Get Your Students Hired
What have you done in the past to improve your classroom management? What further improvements can you make to enhance your classroom management style?
In this school,we have a syllabus handed out the first day mandated and written by the school itself. During it's review I let students know what I additionally will want from them. There is policy and expectations on the first day.
I have had situations in the classroom where it became imperative to become a controller. Had I been more experienced in my younger years there was one class that was out of hand and I now know that I should have taken much firmer control. Now I am much more relaxed but the school situation is much more controlled by school policy not just instructor control. It is much easier for me.
I found that I tend to elaborate or go off on tangents when teaching which, although students can relate, really throws off the lesson plan. I now write the objectives on the board at the beginning of class and at a glance I know whether I have time to elaborate or need to move forward as long as everyone understands and can move along as well.
One way I have tried to improve class management is to develop a rapport with the students. This seems to help somewhat. I try to anticipate student's reactions to certain situations. I try to be organized and communicate expectations clearly.
I've only been teaching for 2 years now. But I've seen that making sure to speak to students and have objectives on the boards makes the day go smoother. As far as further improvements....it will be to continue to stick to consistency when dealing with abrupt behaviors
I found that the controller is not the best approach but rather the guide was a better option to make the class room run smoothly. Helping the students in decisions for proper class room behavior and learning was a better option.
I have been teaching for 4 years and have been more of a "Buddy" instructor with some "Guide" attributes. We cover the material and meet the objectives but I have been easily talked into moving deadline or changing test dates. I try to be understanding that these adults have jobs and families just like me. It has worked out most of the time and the majority of the students have appreciated my flexibility but some were annoyed. I have made some changes over the last few years. First, I plan out the test date for the whole course and stick to them. The students are informed of the dates and must schedule a makeup date if they know there will be a conflict. This more like real life for the students. Second, I include the whole class in set up some class rules or break schedules. They like this and self regulate base on the group decision. My classes have function better with just these 2 changes. I plan on looking at some other improvements. I hope they bring me closer to a "Guide".
Classroom management poses bigger challenges today than in the past. Today, students are more likely to challenge a teacher's authority. Students' role models from sports and movies promote confrontation, not obedience. Traditional approaches to classroom management based on rewards and punishments are proving less effective today. Authoritarian approaches may get students to comply, but they don't help students develop self-discipline and responsibility.
Establishing rules is one area where teachers can help students build a commitment to being good classroom citizens. When students help determine classroom rules, they take ownership of them, many experts contend. Teachers can also build students' commitment to social responsibility by rejecting punishments in favor of "logical consequences" for misbehavior. Unlike punishments, which are intended to make students suffer, logical consequences give students who are at fault a sense of how to improve, and help them regain their dignity and self-respect, experts maintain. Students should be required to spend time doing homework or discussing their disruptive behavior, she recommends. Students should use this time for problem solving—to consider what they could have done differently and how they can avoid the problem next time.
I had a group hug at the end of a class where everyone (approx. 14 students) had actively participated and the objectives for the class were met. I told everyone that I was proud of their team effort to be successful. Nothing but smiling faces left the classroom.
I make sure that on the first day of class rules and expectations are clearly defined. I will review the syllabus, class objectives, assignments and due dates.
I evaluate the days activities,and ask myself how I could improve on the way I delivered the information,or addressed the misbehavior.If I feel bad about how I handle a situation,I ask a coworker,or manager their advise so I am better prepared if the situation where to accure in the future.This course has further enhanced my understanding of what I do well,and where I need to improve.
As an instructor I make sure that on the firstday of class I inform of the students of my rules and expectations. I also post a copy of the rules on the class notice board so students can refer to them if and when needed.
I make sure I follow the rules and policies myself before expecting the same from my students. For example, I don't use my cell phone during class time or do not bring food or drinks to the classroom except water. Setting the correct example is the key to proper classroom management.
I have encountered problems with students' discipline especially when they are given free time and therefore I try to keep them engaged as much as possible to avoid any type of misdemeanor or conflict.
I have been teaching for 20 years and I have found the the Adult Learner brings many issues to the class room. I explain the class room policies the first day of class. When I have a student that is trying to be difficult I take them aside and inquire about the situation and then I take action accordingly to the problem.
In addition to taking courses and attending Professional Development workshops on classroom management, one of the most effective strategies I hae found for improving my classroom management techniques is to consistently reflect on my lesson planning and delivery. By taking the time to see what worked and what did not, I can continue to work toward using the model of a Guide as my classroom management style more consistently. I also find it is important to apply what one has learned in class as quickly and as consistently as possible.
I agree setting the exceptions for the class is important for the students and the instructors so every one knows what is excepted of them.
Timothy, preparation is key in most successful endeavours. Higher education is no exception.
James Jackson
I have been teaching for about 5 years now. I have had classes that are very mature and tend to require less reprimanding and other classes that need a little more structure for proper control. However, I agree that expectations for every class need to be set on the first day and constantly reinforced throughtout the duration of the term. I also understand that I am teaching adults and many of them have outside obligations that affect their performance in class. Taking this into consideration, I try to make myself available and accesbile outside of class in the case they have concerns that need to be adrressed. Being consistnet with every student is a major part of proper classroom management as well as building a favorable rapport.
In the future, I want to adhere more closely to my learning objectives and goals that I have for each session. I tend to fall behind schedule at times. I think this can be solved with a stricter schedule for each class and incorporating more active activities at very specific intervals. I have improved in this area over the past year but I hope to integrate more managment techniques in upcoming terms.
beening more prepared before class starts instead of trying to do this during the lesson.and started walking around the class more during my lectuces. this works great.