Classroom Management

Classroom management is the art of keeping a classroom in order and conducive for learning in spite of any behavior of students. It involves maintaining respect and discipline in the classroom and approaches may differ from person to person and from institution to institution. Students in classrooms are from different homes and as such may have different set of values. However, the classroom values must override any values that they might have acquired from home or society.

Behavioral modification forms the largest part of classroom management.At the beginning of the academic term, the teacher sets a number of rules and guidelines for the class . These rules are expected to guide the students in knowing what is expected of them. The problem here is how to handle students who flout the rules. Many people suggest punishment for breaking of rules and rewards for observing the rules. Some of the methodologies suggested for classroom management include:

The Good Behavior Game

This is an approach to behavioral management at the classroom level. In this game, the class is rewarded for good behavior or loses the reward if unacceptable behavior exceeds a certain limit. This methodology increases acceptable and desired behavior but is not applicable to students with mental disabilities. All students and teachers must accept the terms and conditions for the game before it is applicable.

Discipline with Dignity

This methodology is widely practiced around the world as it seeks to develop responsibility in students. By mutual respect, cooperation, shared decision making and responsible thinking, discipline with dignity seeks to improve student behavior through practicality and comprehension.

Positive Classrooms

This method tackles the issue of classroom management in four dimensions; the spiritual dimension, the physical dimension, instructional dimension and managerial dimension. The physical dimension defines how the classroom is setup , including how the students' seats are arranged, where the teacher sits and where the board is located. The spiritual dimension is all about how the teacher sees the students;  either respectful or disrespectful, intelligent or unintelligent etc. Instructional dimension has more to do with the teachers, how they deliver the lessons to the students. The managerial dimension has to do with how teachers are able to handle issues regarding students’ behavior. 

Discipline without Stress, Punishments or Rewards

The aim of this approach is to motivate the student to be self- disciplined and make efforts to learn on his own. This method is neither coercive nor permissive but the emphasis is on encouraging the student to do what is right. Students are taught that they can make conscious choices and are guided into self-evaluation and reflection . most students who go through this method grow up to do the right thing because they believe it is the right thing to do and not because they are forced to do anything.

Time Management

Time management is the most basic disciplinary step and as such classroom management can begin with time management. Teachers using this approach must ensure that students report to the classroom at the right time and leave only when it is time to. Lesson periods are also adhered to; a lesson begins exactly when it is supposed to and ends when it is supposed to end, not before or after. Time allocated to students for a task must also be observed carefully and the task collected after the time. That way students realize that things are to be according to rules and not because they feel like it.

Classroom management is essential in every educational institution in order to develop acceptable behaviors in students. Students are known to grow up with values they pick up at school and so this concept should not be ignored.