A Positive Classroom Environment: Some Elements I would include based on what I have learned

  

A Positive Classroom Environment: Some Elements I would include based on what I have learned

Author: Santosh Kumar Biswa, Sr. Teacher, Damphu CS, Tsirang, Bhutan

 

Abstract

It is understood from this unit that teachers play a pivotal role in shaping students learning and future because they are not simply engaged in providing literacy on various subjects but also engaged in the dissemination of basic things of life through life skills, values, roles in society, health, religion, civics, etc. But, all those things would be possible if a teacher could create a positive learning place through a better class management system. Quite often, students are found to be disorganized with disorderly behavior and they do not readily align with the classroom norms. It has adverse effects on their learning outcomes. From Marzano and Marzano (2003), I got to understand that enforcing positive classroom management helps a teacher to overcome such problems that enable students to be academically and socially sound. The ideas shared by Froyen and Iverson (1999) boosted my self-esteem to work towards managing the class effectively and positively to ensure students’ self-control in the classroom through the promotion of positive learning outcomes and improved behaviors. Moreover, Cini (2017) opened my eyes with his idea on seven areas of responsibility in classroom management such as classroom design, rules, discipline, scheduling, organization, instructional technique, and communication that promote positive learning through positive disciplining.

Azer (2005) on the other hand, with his concept of a good teacher, really encouraged me to be more professional with my dealings in the classroom and in the school to meet the educational needs of the students through the promotion of a positive learning environment. Now, I am confident that the ideas gained through this unit would really make me a better new teacher with better new positive skills for the purpose of nurturing students positively and academically with a renewed teaching philosophy. 

Some Elements of a Positive Classroom Environment that I would include in Re-designing my Classroom based on what I have learned.

Based on my learning from this unit, some of the elements of a positive classroom environment that I would design would be different than what I have been following as a teacher. I realized that simply having the content knowledge is not enough for any teacher to promote a positive classroom environment for positive learning.

Scolding students, enforcing strict classroom rules, and giving detention work were some of the disciplining measures I followed during my past days but it is felt that instrumenting a positive relationship with students is most integral in meeting the demands and challenges in the classroom at the present scenario. According to Ferrall, Green, and Hanna (2010), an effective teacher is someone who can win their student’s hearts for better learning to take place. This would solve many disciplinary issues as it strengthens the relationship and trust between students and teachers which would ultimately heighten their academic performance (Ferrall, Green, and Hanna, 2010). I think building the relationship enables us to connect with our students through different aspects to concretize the trust in building a sense of belonging and promote constructive participation in the classroom (UKessay, 2020). This would create a forum for creating a safe and friendlier classroom environment encouraging them to come forward, learn, and participate productively because students would feel connected with their teacher. 

Considering discipline in the classroom, I believe that the teacher must be consistent in everything he or she does and be firm and fair at all times. To eradicate unwanted behavior, a safe learning environment should be created while disciplining them because the negative disciplining procedure will limit their learning process (Pisano, 2019). The disruptive discipline in the classroom disrupts the learning process of the total class. Based on the concept shared by Matthew (n.d.), I seriously feel that identifying students with problematic behavior in the classroom and prioritizing them for teacher-student conferences for character rectification the process through examining and understanding the barriers that are hindering them can bring positive disciplining in the classroom. I am a firm believer in the teacher-student conferences as I was able to successfully tackle my student’s behavioral problems in such ways many a time and yes I was able to notice the change in them over a period of time. At the same time, the class should also train students to be mindful of boundaries and limitations that they need to adopt for life in order to excel in their personal and academic skills (Pisano, 2019).

Motivation plays a crucial role in creating a positive classroom environment. In the past, mostly, I was mostly focused on delivering the lesson alone without any intervention toward students’ needs and encouragement because syllabus coverage mattered a lot to me. Young (2014) reminded me that without motivation student’s interest in learning diminishes. I strongly believe that the teacher should arouse student’s interest in learning through various strategies because it would enable them to strengthen their emotions, away from negativity. It would happen if we create a lively and positive classroom environment through the encouragement of an open, sincere, and positive communication system in the classroom whereby students start feeling comfortable in the classroom to share their opinions openly and learn to appreciate and celebrate their success and are able to accept their mistake in lively manners (Young, 2014). I believe that students should be made to feel that their teacher is genuinely interested in them and about their learning (Thompson, 2015) which in return motivates them and enables them to face their future challenges with ease.

Conclusion

To conclude, positive classroom management is a medium that creates a happier place to learn reduces stress and unlashes the prevailing issues to occur again, and promotes positivity for better learning outcomes (Education Dive, 2020). Every individual teacher should be mindful of designing a positive classroom environment through mindful planning that makes students feel comfortable being with their friends and teachers to avoid any kind of shortcomings. It should be considered as the means to achieve positive learning outcomes and educational achievements.

 

Reference

Azer, S. A. (2005). The qualities of a good teacher: how can they be acquired and sustained? Retrieved September 3, 2021 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1079387/

Cini, S. (n.d.).  Seven key elements for effective classroom management. Retrieved September 6, 2021, from https://classroom.synonym.com/seven-elements-effective-classroom-management-6562940.html

Education Dive. (2020). The Importance Of Positive School Environments. Retrieved September 9, 2021 from https://givingcompass.org/article/creating-a-happier-school-environment-yields-benefits-for-students-and-teachers/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4eaJBhDMARIsANhrQADAN7-64vstamC4oxEyCunyaAcZheMcu4v4gT9fAE_dGZmzyfwXgygaAhH3EALw_wcB

Ferrall, M. E. B., Green, A., and Hanna, F. (2010). Classroom Management Strategies for Difficult Students: Promoting Change through relationship. Retrieved September 9, 2021 from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ887746.pdf

Froyen, L. A., & Iverson, A. M. (1999). Classroom Management. Retrieved September 6, 2021 from https://intime.uni.edu/classroom-management

Marzano, R. J., & Marzano. J. S. (2003). The Key to Classroom Management. Retrieved September 8, 2021 from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert-Marzano/publication/283749466_The_Key_to_Classroom_Management/links/56f26c0908aed354e57293d3/The-Key-to-Classroom-Management.pdf

Matthew. (n.d.). Creating a Classroom Environment That Promotes Positive Behavior. Retrieved September 8, 2021 from https://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/samplechapter/0/1/3/2/0132272350.pdf

Pisano, G. (2019). Classroom Discipline: Definition & Strategies. Retrieved September 7, 2021 from https://study.com/academy/lesson/classroom-discipline-definition-strategies.html

UKessay. (2020). Self-Reflection on Positive Learning. Retrieved September 8, 2021 from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/teaching/self-reflection-on-positive-learning.php

Thompson, J. G. (2015). How to Be Everyone’s Most Favorite Teacher EVER. Retrieved September 3, 2021 from https://www.bamradionetwork.com/how-to-be-everyone-s-most-favorite-teacher-ever/

Young, J. (2014). The importance of a positive classroom. In Encouragement in the Classroom. ASCD. Retrieved September 3, 2021 from http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/sf114049/chapters/The-Importance-of-a-Positive-Classroom.aspx