Classroom management, as defined in the course, requires active effort on the part of the instructor.
1. Organization plays a big part. An organized teacher, with well thought-out lesson plans will go a long way toward proper class functioning simply by keeping students engaged. Those students who may be on the fence, deciding whether to invest in the class or not, may be nudged in a positive direction through minimizing down time.
2. Consistent expectations are important. Though I am a big fan of keeping lessons exciting and differing techniques from day to day, the anchoring structures of the course should remain the same. Students enjoy anticipating what will come each day during the lesson but they are frustrated by, say, changing the location of the "turn in" basket.
3. Firm but flexible. These seem opposite, but consider Willow trees. They are made of very firm wood, but their strength comes from being able to bend at the right times. Few policies should be absolute, and students should always have a mechanism to request exemptions.
4. Seek student input. A teacher doesn't have to negotiate on the core elements of the class, but being willing to seek input where appropraite builds harmony.
5. Let the students know that you care about them as individuals as well as caring about them academically. There is a fine line, of course, but a student will generally work harder for a teacher that they feel cares about them than for a teacher that doesn't seem to.
6. Praise with emotion, punish with control. Save your emotional responses for when students are doing wonderful things. When students need discipline, a good classroom manager will be able to respond to behavior with a certain ammount of detachment. Fire is not the best thing to fight fire with.
I think the more you know the material you are teaching the easier it is to comfortably communicate and instruct. In turn being at ease with teaching the subject will make for a confident, enjoyable instructor.
Hi Joseph, Great points! It can be very difficult at times to communicate effectively and unfortunately without clear and effective communications we are sabotaging our students. I also totally agree that possessing a positive attitude towards the subject matter taught is very important. I have seen firsthand the effects on student outcomes from instructors who have a poor attitude towards their class, being positive about the materials change’s the game for students.
There are many traits that an instructor may poses to be successful in classroom management, I would suggest that instructors need to be professional, respectful, organized and prepared for that day’s lesson, truthful, trustworthy, honest, encouraging and tactful. Instructors need to treat their students as piers in many ways; if we don’t then we might come across as talking down to students and as a result we may be opening ourselves up for classroom management issues. Adult learners want to be a part of the learning process and we need to respect their opinions and experiences, tactfully incorporating them into of the learning process.
I feel the instructor has to care about the student and that will include using many styles on the student class experience. I love watching a student grow and I have far fewer issues with discipline because I maintain a class that is fun and structured and at the same time has rules that set limits as to how much fun you can have. There are many goals and task that require a student to focus and not get bored and disruptive.
I fully agree. If you treat students the way you would like to be treated, you will go a long way to classroom discipline. Keep in mind that refreshers in the expectations may be necessary at times. Above all, respect yourself and your students.
Profesionalism is important a Guide, respectful, Be a model to your student not a budy
maintain direct your student to the right path
always be prepare, with the lesson, have your expectation to your class since the first day.
always posititive, and a motivator.
I think an instructor should be a guide for the student, not try to be a friend, but a guide
be flexible and understandable,without being the student
budy.
In my opinion, the instructor must clearly define and often reference the expectations of the class. Additionally, he or she must prove to the student that they are there for the sole purposes of helping them achieve the expectation, no matter what.
successful traits are that of guide with controller and buddy transforming into guide model
I couldn't agree more Randy. As instructors we must model the behavior we wish to see from our students. We cannot expect students to follow the school's Code of Conduct if we as instructors behave as if we are above the Code of Conduct laid out for the students.
Teaching with a sense of humor keeps the lessons interesting and entertaining encouraging participation from the students and keeping them involved. We also need to remember; especially, in career colleges to impart to the students the reasoning behind the required behaviors so they understand that policies are not randomly chosen but rather what is expected in the field they have chosen.
Objectiveness!!! Adults become students to obtain a Profession, fulfill a dream, have a career to support themselves and their families. We must respect our students from day one....treat each individual with the same confidentiality. Make sure we are fulfilling our core curriculum while engaging the student with a wide range of learning activities to address all learning styles.
The focus should be the student....not our personal opinion. Teaching is a dedication; we have future livlihoods in our hands and we must be humble and not on a power trip! Instructors who have an "I'm better than you attitude" should not be in the classroom. I WANT my students to be better than me.
When disciplining students we need to speak with each privately, firmly yet with kindess. We are here to help them achieve excellence, build self-esteem and have our outcome be a productive happy employed individual.
You also need to observant to the needs of each student. Communitcation and tactfullness a must but make time for each student to build their own security and learning enviroment. I think explaining expectations of the class up front and reviewing will help with the classroom management.
joseph, well stated. Leading by example and providing a model of behavior are essential to effective teaching.
James Jackson
I think it's important that the instructor identify the following traits:
1. Caring
2. Sets expectations
3. Explains expectations clearly
4. using "real world" examples to help students better understand the lesson.
Because I teach in bililng and coding, it is important that I understand the material in order to break the codes doen to the students. In addition, this is a subject that can be challenging so the instructor must also be patient as well.
Efective communication, and having a positive attitude about the subject you are discussing. professional conduct is also very important from the instructor, and the students.
Rebecca, great point. There is always more to learn. I learn from my students all the time. No one knows everything and all of us need to be life long learners. Students respect such traits in their instructors.
Regards,
James Jackson
Thomas, always be fair but firm and inspect what you expect out of your students. Set the stage for success early and follow through with your policies and procedures. Perform what you promise and show genuine concern for their understanding of the materials. These skills will take you far with achieving the learning outcomes of your course.
Regards,
James Jackson
Christopher, I agree with everything you are saying. I will add that there is value in teaching some of the traits of professionalism. You know your students better that I do but my experience has been that many really have never been told what professionalism really means. If you have a group of students that all come from affluent backgrounds and have been raised with high levels of professionalism then you may not need to have such discussions. If your students are more under-resourced or lack some basic literacy skills then discussions in professional behavior can be very beneficial.
Regards,
James Jackson
Angelina, leading by example is key. Students will learn more from those they respect. No one knows everything but if your students know what you know their opportunities to get good grades and eventually get a job will be greater. This is what I always tell my students. I do not know everything about anything but I have the skills I need to figure out anything needed to be successful. I am willing to teach them how to be resourceful and to figure things out if they pay attention in class. This is the best gift anyone can provide to another person, the ability to reason and think things through.
Regards,
James Jackson
