The most
important factor governing student learning is ‘Classroom Management’
How you
manage the classroom is the primary determinant of how well your students will
learn
It is the
teacher who makes the difference in the classroom
The three
characteristics of effective teachers :
-
They
have classroom management skills
-
Teach
for lesson mastery
-
Practice
positive expectation
Effective
teachers MANAGE their classrooms,
Ineffective
teachers DISCIPLINE their classroom
As a
teacher, a Tertiary degree is the last thing you need. The first thing you need
to know is how to manage a classroom full of students. You were not hired to
teach third grade, coach football, or teach English. You were hired to take a
group of students and turn them into interested and productive learners in a
well manage classroom.
Teachers
almost never think about managing a classroom. They only think about presenting
lessons – lectures, worksheets, videos, activities – never management. Most
classrooms are non-managed. And any situation that is non-managed can easily
turn chaotic.
What is classroom managements ?
Classroom
management refers to all the things that a teacher does to organize students,
space, time and materials so that instruction in content and student learning
can take place.
The amount
of time that students spend actively engaged in learning activities is directly
linked to their academic achievement. It also shows that teachers who are good
classroom manager are able to maximize student engaged time or academic
learning time.
Classroom
management skills are the primary importance in determining teaching success,
whether it is measured by student learning or by ratings. Thus, management
skills are crucial and fundamental. A
teacher who is grossly inadequate in classroom management skills is probably
not going to accomplish much.
Classroom
management includes all of the things a teacher must do towards two ends :-
1.
To
foster student involvement and cooperation in all classroom activities.
2.
To
establish a productive working environment.
To foster
student involvement and cooperation in all classroom activities, the effective
teachers plans a variety of activities that are appropriate for learning. These
activities may include reading, taking notes, practicing in group work, taking
part in class discussions, participating in games, and producing materials. An
effective teacher has every students involved and cooperating in all of these
activities.
For all
students to work on their activities, the environment must be conducive to
learning. Students must pay attention, be cooperative and respectful of each
other, exhibit self discipline, and remain on task. In addition, the room must
have a positive climate, all materials must be ready and organized, and the
furniture must be arranged for productive work.
Characteristics of a well managed
classroom
1.
Students
are deeply involved with their work, especially with academic, teacher-led
instruction.
2.
Students
know what is expected of them and are generally successful.
3.
There
is relatively little wasted time, confusion or disruption.
4.
The
climate of the classroom is work-oriented, but relaxed and pleasant.
The Effective teacher has a well
managed classroom
1.
The
room is arranged for productive work
2.
The
room has a positive climate
3.
The
students are on task
4.
The
students are cooperative and respectful of one another.
A Task Oriented and Predictable
Environment
A well
managed classroom is task-oriented environment where students know what is expected
of them and how to succeed. According to the research most students will make better
achievement gain in a class such as this.
A well
managed classroom is also a predictable environment. Both teachers and students
know what to do and what is suppose to happen in the classroom. You should be
able to close your eyes and not only envision learning taking place but also
know why it is taking place because of how you have chosen to manage the
classroom environment.
It ids the
responsibility of the teacher to manage a class to see that a task oriented and
predictable environment has been established.
