Effective class management

by Guest Sun Jan 01, 2012 1:49 pm

Classroom Management Tips e-Course
Part I: Increase Student Motivation

Let's start with what classroom management is not.

Classroom management is not about creating elaborate systems of rewards and punishments. Instead, effective classroom management is about keeping all of your students actively involved in all of your lessons. In this manner the teacher is addressing classroom management issues "before" they arise...the teacher is being pro-active rather than re-active. However, it is difficult to keep students actively involved if they are bored or uninterested in the topic. That's why student boredom is one of the two biggest factors contributing to classroom management issues. And, that is why it is the teacher's job to spark student interest and increase student motivation to learn.
How?
The best way to do this is by making connections between what the students are learning and what is going on in their own lives...in other words, find out what is important to them. With social studies this is fairly easy. The bottom line is, if you can get the students to "want" to learn then everything else becomes much easier.

Another way teachers can go about increasing motivation to learn is with simple critical thinking questions. This critical thinking question usually turns into a heated discussion and it is at this point that the topic of the lesson is to be introduced. The students are then eager to learn and eager to argue and discuss.
A third way to increase motivation to learn is with video. Of course, this seems obvious, but many teachers show video at the wrong point in the lesson...they save it for the end.
Video should not be shown at the end of the lesson in an "if you're good we'll get to it" sort of way.
Instead, short video clips should be used at the beginning of lessons to spark student interest and pique curiosity.

Ok, so let's recap. Classroom management issues are directly related to student boredom. Therefore, the teacher needs to increase student motivation to learn. Three ways teachers can accomplish this are:
1. Make connections between content and the student's own interests.
2. Use critical thinking questions to spark heated discussions.
3. Use of video at the beginning of the lesson to pique interest and curiosity.

Classroom Management Tips e-Course
Part II: Limit Student Confusion

Let's face it, students (and adults for that matter) get frustrated when they do not understand what to do next. Often times for students (and adults for that matter) this frustration leads to discipline problems.
Therefore, it is important for teachers to anticipate and clear up any possible confusion "before" problems arise. Remember, the effective classroom management teacher is pro-active.
One way to limit student confusion is to be consistent. Your class should never be a surprise to your students. For example, always have your day's agenda and, most importantly, the lesson's objective, clearly posted. And, make absolutely certain to go through both at the beginning of every class. Again, do not think these things should be a surprise to your students. Your lesson's objective is what you want your students to learn from the lesson...don't you think it would be a good idea to let your students know what it is.
Another simple teaching strategy that will greatly reduce student confusion is to always check-for-understanding. Simply ask one or two students (at random) to repeat the directions back to you. You can do this whether you are giving directions for a worksheet or directions on how to quietly walk down the hall. If you check-for-understanding often throughout the lesson you will see less and less student confusion, and therefore, less classroom management problems.

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Dear teachers, while the e-course may seem simple, it is sometimes the simplest strategies that have the most success. Teaching doesnot have to be a difficult experience as long as you know the most effective strategies to use.

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