Title: Classroom Management
Course: EPS 201: PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING (B) > Section: Lesson Nine: Classroom Management

Classroom Management

Topic-level overview | Topic/week/section | 9.
Topic name: | Classroom Management
Aim of the topic: | The aim of the topic is to introduce you to causes of behaviour problems in the classroom, possible ways of responding to them and  how to create a conducive classroom environment for effective teaching and learning process.
This topic covers:
1. Causes of  behaviour problems in a classroom set up
2. Responses to learners’ behaviour problems.
3. Approaches to positive learning environment.
4. Behaviour modification techniques.
Intended learning outcomes:
At the end of this topic, you will be able to:

1. Explain possible causes of behaviour problems in a classroom set up.
2. Summarize  ways of responding to learners’  behaviour problems.
3. Discuss various approaches used by teachers to create a positive learning environment.
4. Analyze the techniques applicable to behaviour modification in a classroom set up.

Overview of student activity

Overview of student activity: | You will be provided with e-resources for supportive engagement with the learning tasks in e-tivities 9.1, 9,2, 9.3 and 9.4, that will help in answering the questions that have been provided so as to achieve the intended learning outcomes for topic 9.

Constructive alignment of topic level outcomes with module level outcomes, learning activities and assessment

Constructive alignment of topic level outcomes with module level outcomes, learning activities and assessment
Intended topic learning outcomes: | No of module-level outcome | Activity where students engage with this outcome | Where and how is this outcome assessed?
At the end of this topic, you will be able to:
1. Explain possible causes of problem behaviours in a classroom set up. | 2 & 3 | E-tivity 9.1 | Essay question in the LMS
1. Summarize ways of responding to learners’ behaviour problems. | 2 & 3 | E-tivity 9.2 | Short answer question in the LMS
1. Discuss various approaches used by teachers to create a positive learning environment. | 2 & 3 | E-tivity 9.3 | Essay question in the LMS
1. Discuss the techniques applicable to behaviour modification in a classroom set up. | 2 & 3 | E-tivity 9.4 | Essay question in the LMS

Module-level outcomes addressed:

Module-level outcomes addressed:
Topic 9 addresses module-level learning outcomes 2 and 3
Purpose of the topic/week/section:
The purpose of this topic is to equip you with necessary classroom management skills for the promotion of  effective teaching - learning process.
Over to you:
Teachers play various roles in a typical classroom; one of the roles is to deliver the learning content, but the most important is that of classroom management. According to Seifert and Sutton (2009), Classroom management is the coordination of lessons and activities to make learning as productive as possible. Effective teaching and learning can only take place in a well-managed classroom and it  takes a good deal of effort to create a conduicive learning environment for all. In this section, we will explore some causes of problem behaviours in the classroom, how to respond to learner’s behaviour problems and discuss different approaches for managing learners’ behaviour in a classroom.
Pre-topic activity: | Number of hours | 30 minutes
Reflect on some of the behaviours which you may consider to be inappropriate but were exhibited by your classmates during your pre-university courses. Create a list of those behaviours and the corresponding strategies that your teacher used to control them.

1. Post your list to the discussion forum 9.0.
2. Read what your colleagues have posted and critique the strategies that were used
Face to face time: (if applicable) | Number of hours | 2 hours
Before learners engage in online activities, the moderator is expected to:

1. Introduce the term classroom management
2. Discuss the characteristics of a classrooms
3. Principles of classroom management

E-tivity 9.1

Online activity: | Number of hours | 1 hour
What should students do?
E-tivity 9.1

Read on classroom management and supervision on pages 23-25 to gain some insight into some of the causes of  behaviour problems in the classroom and then;

1. Using relevant classroom examples, explain five factors that may cause  behaviour problems in the classroom.Use the discussion forum 9.1 to share your ideas with  your colleagues.
2. Read through what your colleagues have posted and identify some factors that you had not considered but are important in enhancing your work. Include these factors and repost your improved work in the discussion forum 9.1.
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum  9.1.
By when should they do it? | By the end of the end of the 2^nd day of the week.
E-moderator/tutor role
1. Stimulate further learning and generation of new ideas.
2. Provide teaching points.
3. Closing the discussion forum.
How are the learning outcomes in this topic assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
The learning outcomes will be assessed through essay  questions.
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
This section  links to inclusivity in learning  by developing strategies for behaviour modification

E-tivity 9.2

Online activity: | Number of hours | 1 hour
What should students do?
E-tivity 9.2

Read on the highlighted book pages on how to respond to students misbehaviour (pages 150-155). Using the knowledge gained from this text;

1. Work in collaboration with a colleague and summarize five ways of responding to students’ misbehaviour in a classroom set up.
2. Evaluate each method of responding to students mibehaviour and identify a demerit associated with each method.Post your answers to the discussion forum 9.2.
3. Using a positive tone, comment on two contributions from your colleagues work.
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum 9.2.
By when should they do it? | By the end of the end of the 3^rd day of the week.
E-moderator/tutor role
1. Ensuring that learners focus on the content of discussion.
2. Encouraging everyone to be onboard.
3. Summarizing threads.

1. Closing the discussion.
How are the learning outcomes in this topic assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
The learning outcomes will be assessed through short answer  questions.
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
This section  links to inclusivity in learning  by developing strategies for behaviour modification.

E-tivity 9.3

Online activity: | Number of hours | 1 hour
What should students do?
E-tivity 9.3

Read on how to create  positive learning environments. (pages76-78 ) and on pages 139-149 from this e-book. The slides by Ali Aaj (2016) also provide more details on classroom management. Using the knowledge gained from the links;

1. Identify a colleague with whom you can work together and discuss various approaches you are likely to use to create a positive learning environment.
2. Post you answers on the discussion forum 9.3 and comment on the work from other groups with a view to improving it.
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum  9.3.
By when should they do it? | By the end of the end of the 5^th day of the week.
E-moderator/tutor role
1. Stimulate further learning and generation of new ideas.
2. Provide teaching points.

1. Closing the e-tivity.
How are the learning outcomes in this topic assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
The learning outcomes will be assessed through essay  questions.
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
This section  links to inclusivity in learning  by developing strategies for behaviour modification

Online activity: | Number of hours | 1 hour
What should students do?
E-tivity 9.4

Read the slides on behavioural techniques by Sanika Sathe (2014) and watch this video. Using the information from the two resources;

1. Analyze five techniques that can be used to modify the behaviours of learners and post your answers to discussion forum 9.4.
2. Read through the work your colleagues have posted identify two commonly used techniques in a classroom situation and give reasons why you think these techniques stand out. Use the group discussion forum to share your answers with colleagues as you comment on theirs
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum  9.4.
By when should they do it? | By the end of the end of the 6^th day of the week.
E-moderator/tutor role
1. Stimulate further learning and generation of new ideas.
2. Provide teaching points.

1. Closing the discussion forum.
How are the learning outcomes in this topic assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
The learning outcomes will be assessed through essay  questions.
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
This section links to behaviour modification by providing appropriate techniques

= Total number of hours | 7 hours

Some important questions

Some important questions
Which learning resources/ references will scaffold the students’ learning? | The module, the e-books provided on the link, video links and slide share.
How are students enabled to access the resources? | Through the institutional LMS and OER Africa website
Where in this topic are students expected to work collaboratively? | In the discussion board 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 and 9.4
How has an inclusive approach been incorporated in this topic? | Varied activities for the learners
How will feedback on topic be obtained from students? | Online posts in discussion board.
How will student feedback be used to improve topic? | The e-moderator will consider the feedback from students to ascertain whether they have mastered the content for appropriate interventions where necessary.
At which point(s) will students receive formative feedback on the work they have done in the topic? | By the end of the 9^th  week

QUESTION 1

Explain possible causes of problem behaviours in a classroom set up.

Guidance to Question 1

In responding to this question, the students are expected to explain (giving examples) the possible causes of problem behaviours in a classroom set up. There are broad causes of problem behaviour such as: Social factors, school factors.

 Learners should bring out the specific caused within each broad factor.

Question 2

Summarize ways of responding to learners’ behaviour problems

Guidance to question 2

In this question, the student is expected to come up with a summary of the different ways in which a teacher can respond to learner’s behaviuor problems. The responses may include but not limited to;

- Ignoring misbehaviour,
- Using nonverbal gestures,

Use of punishment

Question 3

Discuss various approaches used by teachers to create a positive learning environment

Guidance to Question 3

In responding to this question, the learner is expected to come up with the various approaches used by teachers to create a positive learning environment. The answers to this question will be varied and the discussion of each approach should include relevant examples in a school situation. Some of the possible approaches may include:

- A teacher identifying misbehaviour and firmly dealing with it,
- Specifying constructive behaviour, providing good teaching,
- Managing students work,
- Establishing clear rules, expectation, or code of conduct that establish a learning environment and arranging the classroom in ways that maximize learning.

Question 4

Discuss the techniques applicable to behaviour modification in a classroom set up

Guidance to Question 4

The learners are supposed to provide a discussion of the different behaviour modification techniques applicable in a classroom set up. Examples of these are classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Learners should explain the principles of these techniques in changing behaviour.eg reinforcement, shaping, punishment, extinction among others