Филологические науки/1.Методика преподавания языка и литературы

 

Chyzhykova I.V., Bilinskaya L.I., Bozhok A.I.

Prydniprovsk State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture

Effective classroom management

 

Many new teachers face the problem of effective teaching where classroom management plays one of the key roles. Classroom management is a term used by teachers to describe the process of ensuring that classroom lessons run smoothly despite disruptive behavior by students. The term also implies the prevention of disruptive behavior. It is possibly the most difficult aspect of teaching for many teachers; indeed experiencing problems in this area causes some to leave teaching altogether.  

According to Moskowitz and Hayman , once a teacher loses control of their classroom, it becomes increasingly more difficult for them to regain that control. Also, research from Berliner  and Brophy and Good  shows that the time a teacher has to take to correct misbehavior caused by poor classroom management skills results in a lower rate of academic engagement in the classroom.  From the student’s perspective, effective classroom management involves clear communication of behavioral and academic expectations as well as a cooperative learning environment.  Management is closely linked to issues of motivation, discipline and respect. Methodologies remain a matter of passionate debate amongst teachers; approaches vary depending on the beliefs a teacher holds regarding educational psychology. A large part of traditional classroom management involves behavior modification, although many teachers see using behavioral approaches alone as overly simplistic. Many teachers establish rules and procedures at the beginning of the school year. According to Gootman, rules give students concrete direction to ensure that our expectation becomes a reality.

They also try to be consistent in enforcing these rules and procedures. Many would also argue for positive consequences when rules are followed, and negative consequences when rules are broken. There are newer perspectives on classroom management that attempt to be holistic. One example is affirmation teaching, which attempts to guide students toward success by helping them see how their effort pays off in the classroom. It relies upon creating an environment where students are successful as a result of their own efforts.  By creating this type of environment, students are much more likely to want to do well. Ideally, this transforms a classroom into a community of well-behaved and self-directed learners. Classroom management, as you may notice, is a complex thing and it comprises some elements, for example classroom arrangement.

While good classroom arrangement is not a guarantee of good behavior, poor planning in this area can create conditions that lead to problems. We may conclude that: 1) the teacher must be able to observe all students at all times and to monitor work and behavior; 2) the teacher should also be able to see the door from his or her desk; 3) frequently used areas of the room and traffic lanes should be unobstructed and easily accessible4) students should be able to see the teacher and presentation area without undue turning or movement; 5) commonly used classroom materials, e.g. books, attendance pads and student reference materials should be readily available; 6) some degree of decoration will help add to the attractiveness of the room. Another way for making effective management is effective praise, which can be both positive and negative. On the one hand there is effective praise: 1) is delivered contingently upon student performance of desirable behaviors or genuine accomplishment; 2) specifies the praiseworthy aspect of the student′s accomplishments; 3) is expressed sincerely, showing spontaneity, variety and other non-verbal signs of credibility; 4) is given for genuine effort, progress, or accomplishment which are judged according to standards appropriate to individuals; 5) provides information to students about their competence or the value of their accomplishments; 6) helps students to better appreciate their thinking, problem-solving and performance; 7) attributes success to effort and ability, implying that similar successes can be expected in the future; 8) encourages students to appreciate their accomplishments for the effort they expend and their personal gratification. On the other hand we may observe ineffective praise, which 1) is delivered randomly and indiscriminately without specific attention to genuine accomplishment; 2) is general or global, not specifying the success; 3) is expressed blandly without feeling or animation, and relying on stock, perfunctory phrases; 4) is given based on comparisons with others and without regard to the effort expended or significance of the accomplishment of an individual; 5) provides no meaningful information to the students about their accomplishments; 6) orients students toward comparing themselves with others; 7) attributes student success to ability alone or to external factors such as luck or easy task; 8) encourages students to succeed for external reasons-to please the teacher, win a competition or reward.               

All these aspects are not a full range of notions used for effective classroom management, but in any case every teacher must take them into account and vary according to the specific needs and requirements. Teacher′s personal experience and properly set aims are the necessary things for the effective management. You should try to apply all of them and decide which are the most effective and useful for your students and aims.

Literature:

1) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classroom_management‎

2) www.apa.org/education/k12/classroom-mgmt.aspx‎

3) www.adprima.com/managing.htm‎

4) www.edutopia.org/classroom-management-resource-guide‎

5) F.H.Johnes. Fred Jones tools for teaching.-2001

6) Kardamis L. Create your dream classroom.-2014

7) Mandel J. Stop the stress in schools.-2014

8) Weinstein S. Middle and secondary classroom management.-2006