Classroom Management |Teaching Methods|Monitoring Teachers Activities

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION

HM’’s/Principals must pay serious attention to how teachers manage their class. This is called Class Management. Class Management refers to all the things the teacher does to organize his student’s behaviour, space, time and materials so that teaching and learning can take place optimally. In order to be effective, teachers must acquire excellent class management skills. Teachers must realize that the fact that Teaching has taken place, does not mean that Learning has also taken place.

OBJECTIVES OF CLASS MANAGEMENT

• To foster student involvement and cooperation in all classroom activities
• To establish a productive and conducive learning environment
• To achieve greater confidence and less stress on the teacher
• To maintain order in the classroom at all times
• To maintain discipline and decorum in the class at all times
• To organize lesson time in such a way that all students get equal attention and opportunities to ask and answer questions.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A WELL MANAGED CLASSROOM

1. High level of students’ involvement with work.
2. Clear students’ expectations. The students know exactly what is expected of them.
3. Teacher’s desk is well organized, orderly and tidy.
4. Students’ desks and workplaces are tidy and orderly.
5. Students work with realistic noise levels in a relaxed and pleasant climate.
6. Time is used effectively and maximally.
7. There are well-planned displays, teaching aids and examples
8. There are clearly spelt out rules and regulations guiding the conduct of students in the class
9. Corrections, Classwork and Homework are checked consistently
10. Every student has a sense of belonging – No one feels left out
11. Discipline is commensurate to the offence
12. They are well laid out aisles and spa for easy movement by the teachers
13. There are no safety hazards. Nothing that can lead to injury or mishaps
14. Materials are well arranged in an organized and safe way.
15. There is proper and adequate lighting and ventilation.
16. The teacher has all he needs to teach- Well prepared lesson notes, Diary, Scheme of work.  Examples, Teaching Aids, Questions to be asked, etc.

MONITORING TEACHERS ACTIVITIES IN THE CLASS

School Administrators should pay serious attention to the activities of the teachers in their respective classes in relation to two major areas –

1. Teaching Methods
2.  Class Management
3.  Syllabus Compliance

The following information may be helpful for administrators in monitoring teachers

MODERN TEACHING METHODS IN SCHOOLS

SPECIFIC WAYS STUDENTS LEARN

1. Through the five senses
2. Through Curiosity
3. Through Imitation
4. Through Association
5. Through Activities
6. Through Play
7. Through Dramatization
8. Through Discussions
9. Through Questions And Answers

FACTORS THAT DETERMINE TEACHING METHODS

1. The Subject being taught
2. Type of lesson
3. Objectives of the lesson
4. Entry behaviour of the class
5. Facilities available
6. Time Available
7. Number of students

TEACHING METHODS

There are two broad types of teaching methods, viz:

Type1: Teacher-centred Method (Didactic, Authoritative, Inductive) e.g. Lecture Demonstration

Type2:Student – Centred method(Heuristic, Democratic, Deductive or Discovery Methods)

KEY POINTS TO NOTE IN DETERMINING TEACHING METHODS

Lectures should be:

1. Skills-based as opposed to Content-based.
2. Student-centred as opposed to Teacher centred
3. Inquiry oriented as opposed to Exam-oriented
4. Personalized model of learning as opposed to One-size-fits-all model of teaching

RECOMMENDED TEACHING METHODS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• Lecture Method
• Discussion Method
• Demonstration Method
• Dramatization Method
• Field Trip Method
• Case Studies
• Problem-Solving Sessions
• Role-Playing Simulations
• Team Projects
• Audiovisual Methods
• Collaboration Method
• Computer Aided Instruction Methods (Cal)
• Hands On And Hands Off