Managing Your Classroom (So It Doesn't Manage You)
On October 28, 2008, Dr. John Drea from Marketing and Finance moderated a C.H.A.T. session regarding issues and tips for managing student classroom behavior. The discussion centered around the benefits and use of a contract for classroom behavior with students.
Highlights and Points of Discussion I. The one thing all faculty have in common - student behaviors
What are the current standards of behavior?
How have these standards changed over the years?
When looking at classroom behavior, it is important to keep the focus on what is important - behaviors that directly impact student learning outcomes.
It is the faculty member's responsibility to create a classroom environment that promotes student learning.
II. What student behaviors can get in the way of learning?
Talking when the faculty member or others are talking.
Coming in late and leaving early.
Using calculators, cell phones, and other noisy devices that distract others.
Sleeping (particularly snoring) in class.
The common thread = these behaviors "put on a show" and can be distractions to other students who are trying to focus on learning.
III. Using a Contract for Classroom Behavior
It is important to make your expectations clear to students and to reinforce the reasons for standards of classroom behavior.
Provide the contract on the first day and let it be the first issue discussed.
Have students take the contract home to review over night. If they agree, they sign the contract and return it the next day.
Students are awarded 5 Bonus point up front. Whenever they break an agreement in the contract, they get a point taken away.
IV. Issues Regarding the Use of Contracts
Contracts are more difficult to reinforce in large classrooms with many students.
Contracts rely on learning the students' names and holding each student accountable.
Make sure there is a felt consequence (losing points for example) for breaking the contract.
Make reinforcements of student behavior visible to all students.
Don't let the contract a substitute for how you would handle a truly disruptive student who is making verbal or physical threats in class. Call OPS and follow the university policy for disruptive students in these cases.
Handouts and Resources
