Studies suggest that classroom management is essential to establishing a solid foundation for learning. Students work best when there is a structure for them to work with, especially when the structure is implemented from the beginning of instruction. There are a few reasons why this is true.
Classroom management gives students a solid routine, giving a time and place for learning to occur. Students are more apt to listen when they know that they will be moving on to a new topic soon. Any teaching strategies should strive to reinforce the concept of a routine. Students are more likely to achieve when they are faced with a positive learning environment.
Classroom management should provide the behavioral intervention necessary to put a stop to disruptions. Minimizing student disruptions is encouraging to non-disruptive students and also teaches students what appropriate conduct is. Ultimately, students tend to behave when they know exactly what is expected of them. They strive to meet standards if they are given an idea of what these standards are.
Studies also show that students tend to respond very well to positive reinforcement. A system of rewards and consequences is helpful for establishing this, and teachers who implement new strategies may see the number of problems detract significantly.
Students who suffer from Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, or EBD, very often find it difficult to control their behavior and work as productive members of a classroom. EBD kids commonly lack the impulse control and the emotional balance that is necessary to handle social interactions with other students effectively. This can be challenging for a teacher, especially in an inclusive classroom where a portion of the students have EBD, and others don’t. While this scenario can be quite challenging at times, there are some ways to make things better in the classroom. EBD students’ behavior can be moderated and controlled by implementing a classroom management plan that is specially tailored to meet the specific needs of these students.
Although adult learners are more mature than young students, educators of adult classrooms still need to develop a classroom management style that is appropriate for the group. Classroom management is the process of establishing a set of rules, standards and expectations that keep classrooms organized and running smoothly. Without a suitable classroom management style, educators risk having many disruptions that take away from the students’ learning experience.