SLC | S21W2: Effective Classroom Management

To the best of your knowledge, what is effective classroom management, and what does it have to do with planning, implementing, evaluating learning, and utilizing resources optimally? Explain the relationship of each of these points using your language.

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Planning

Planning a training program course content with AIT Staff members
Plus Code :3JH7+CJ, Pathum Thani, Thailand | Location

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According to my point of view, for effective classroom management, planning is the most significant part. Now generally, for a module or a subject in a university or in a college we have a pre defined scope in a curriculum. In Sri Lanka, this curriculum is made by a committee appointed by the UGC ( University Grants Commission) for universities and for schools, by education ministry of Sri Lanka. Let me share you an example from a module, which I conduct lectures.

Pre-defined learning objectives for a module / a subject ( Faculty of Technology, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka)
Plus Code :JPV4+5X Balangoda, Sri Lanka | Location

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So as the first step in effective classroom management, we need to organise the course content within the given time frame ( In Sri Lankan universities, 6 months for a semester ). As as per the above curriculum, the lecturer need to cover 3 credits ( 1 credit = 16 hours ) , 32 from lecture hours and 16 from practical session. So to manage the course content properly we need to plan the course properly with lectures sessions, presentation sessions, viva , field visit and related activities, laboratory practicals, workshop practicals etc. to make the student reach all the learning objectives defined in the curriculum.

Implementing

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Conducting a training program
Plus Code :3JH7+CJ, Pathum Thani, Thailand | Location

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When we setup a proper plan as I mentioned above, implementing part is very easy. We just have to follow the plan with the other staff members. But this is where our teaching skills, teaching methods effect the class management. In this step there should be a proper relationship between the teacher and the students to conduct the module effectively. For effective classroom management, I believe the lecture sessions should be interactive sessions where lecturer and the student where the lecturer can understand the status of the student. Wether he has understood or not. That is really important for effective class management.

Evaluating learning

When it's come to evaluate learning, I use many techniques, I use in-class spot tests, in-class activities such as viva, presentations, poster designing, debates etc. And I also conduct practical exams, workshop exams and a end semester written exams. To evaluate learning, I evaluate the student throughout the semester.

Students writing the final exam - end semester ( Faculty of Technology, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka)
Plus Code :JPV4+5X Balangoda, Sri Lanka | Location

Utilizing resources optimally

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In this aspect, I'm really lucky to be a lecturer from faculty of technology, Sabaragamuwa university of Sri Lanka. We are a full faculty with 8 laboratories which can accommodate 120 students at once. And we have four workshops for automobile, mechanical, wood work and manufacturing which can accommodate 120 students at once with the latest technologies including CNC lathe, CNC milling, 3D printing, Robotics, Automated manufacturing lines etc. At the sometime we have smart classrooms, total of 20 with smart teaching devices ( smart boards, projectors, smart podiums etc). So as a teacher when I'm planning my course implementation I try to utilise these resources as much as I can. When I utilise these resources in a optimum manner it very easy to take the students to the learning outcomes expected in the curriculum.

How do you go about creating a classroom atmosphere that supports the learning process?, he explanation you give is based on personal experience that did.

The classroom atmosphere that supports the learning process should be created totally based on the students feedbacks. The classroom atmosphere we create should be comfortable for students for their learning process. So we must consider the feedbacks from students time to time, to make a proper learning atmosphere for students in the classroom. I like to add another important aspect, It's evaluate teaching, In Sri Lankan universities, every student must submit a teacher evaluating report at the end of the semester ( anonymously ) for each module. So this feedback is very important for the teacher as he/she can use this student feedbacks to improve his teaching skills, which will directly affect the effective classroom management.

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Students feedbacks provided for teacher evaluation

Students feedbacks provided for teacher evaluation

I use these students feedbacks to manage my class effectively. I consider them very seriously, I change my methods of teaching and evaluating correcting my mistakes or in a more improved manner considering these feedbacks. Which is one of the best technique any teacher can follow to manage the classroom very effectively. So this technique will automatically create a good classroom atmosphere which support learning.

According to your experience and observations, what factors can hinder effective classroom management? Explain why these things are a hindrance.

I will list some of my experiences and observations which hinder the effective classroom management as follows,

Lack of preparing and planning for teaching

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When we are conducting a lecture for around 250 students at the same time we must prepare well. We should gather all the new knowledge about the subject and be ready to support students when they need clarifications. Amount these students there are students who have gathered some new knowledge, the latest updates of the subject and they need help in some matters. So the teacher should be always ready, otherwise teacher can't effectively conduct the lessons.

Classroom structure or arrangement not suitable

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When I'm conducting sessions for small class rooms ( 50 students or less) , I usually try to do more interactive activities, group activities etc. So the seating arrangement should be well organised to conduct a class in such a manner. So if there is no proper classroom arrangement it's difficult to effectively manage the classroom.

Distractions, noises or any external issues make it difficult to concentrate

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Sometimes there may be external notices during we conduct the lectures which make it difficult for the students to keep focus on the lesson. So this will affect learning outcomes of the students. So we have to consider about those factors when scheduling a lecture.

Teachers approach for the students

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Teacher should be always clear with communication, otherwise student may loose the interest for the focusing. Also when the teachers approach is very strict for the student it can also affect the effective classroom management. So teacher should be a very good in communication and students must be very comfortable around the teacher for effective classroom management.

Effective classroom management has a relationship with the Learning Contract? What do you think about this, explain comprehensively according to your thoughts.

Yes, It's very true. Effective classroom management has a clear relationship with the learning contract.

Mutual responsibility.

A learning contract make the student responsible for a pre agreed learning process and a sequence of learning activities. It make them responsible to maintain a certain standard and they personally feel responsible for learning. This is indirectly support effective classroom management.

Cooperative environment

Learning contracts are designed as a collaborative process between lectures and students which make the class room more interactive and also this will develop some kind of mutual respect between the students and the lecturer which will eventually support the effective classroom management.

Clear definition of final objectives

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With a learning contract, both students and teacher exactly know what are they expecting from the particular module. So students and teachers maintain some kind of respect for the process to reach the objective. This will develop a very good idea about the work load of a module and mutual support will develop which is very important of effective classroom management.

So I hope my answers will add something to you and I'm really happy for discussions. I like to thank @miftahulrizky & @fantvwiki for organising this contest which is really important for both teachers and students in Steemit platform. I'm waiting for the next lesson.

Thank you.

-Vimukthi Vithanage

I like to invite : @vishwara @virajherath and @nishadi89 to join the contest.

-Vimukthi Vithanage