Managing the Learning Environment - Essay Example

page Introduction to disruptive behavior What is disruptive behavior Example of disruptive behavior How to deal with disruptive behavior Role of organization What is a group Communication between teachers and learners and learners themselves. Language used by instructor and learner. Strategies to improve communication Enhance communication with group and among the learners. Relationship between participants, implication of relationship in learning MANAGING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT What is disruptive behavior It is characterized by unrest or insubordination or disorder. It can be also put as characterized by psychologically disorganized behavior. This behavior tends to cause disruption which leads to destroyment of the student indirectly. one of the example of disruptive behavior encountered in classroom :-Disruptive students are those whose behavior makes learning and teaching difficult for others in the class. it can be defined as continues or multiple students to hampers the ability of the teachers or instructors to teach and other students to learn. Disruptive behavior involves patterns of behavior that breaks the rules. this behavior is characterized by poor social relationship due to aggressiveness, irritating, defiance, cruelty, rage and destructiveness. one of the example encountered during teaching is one of my student making constant interruption which interfere presentation. disruptive student usually ask irrelevant questions to disturb the class, in this way the student neither studies nor does he want others to study, moreover diverting the concentration of the class. They do not agree with the topic given by the instructors and abide by the the instructions given. The extreme example of disruptive student is he/she may verbal abuse. one of example encountered in teaching experience:-there was a class of 15 students on 'communication and personal grooming' 10 of them where men and the remaining women. One of the student was irregular to classes and never attended the classes on time. This student was called in staff room and was warned due to his misbehavior. after few days the student behaved ill mannered with teacher by saying her that she don't know how to communicate with the students and she have a fake accent as she was an Indian teacher. Initially the teacher did not mind but later she took serious actions towards the student as he was diverting the mind of his class mates. His fellow class mates ignored her and did not pay much attention in the class. moreover the other students who were sincere to the teacher wanted to join the other section as the class was always disturbed. later the teacher decided to manage the class effectively to get the grip on the situation so that she gains the attention back and make the class more interesting. instructors can talk the help of staff to handle such situations and can discuss about such discussions. Many common examples of disruptive behavior are:- -Uses of cell phones in class rooms -Inappropriate demands for attention -attending class late and leaving early -creating noise and disturbing the other students -inattentiveness in class(sleeping, reading, chatting and other such things which should not be done in class). -threats to harm oneself or others -monopolizing class room discussions How to deal with disruptive behavior The instructor should serve as a model by demonstrating respectful and responsible behavior with all interaction with students. the instructor should deal with disruptive behavior immediately if this behavior is ignored the behavior of the student is expected to increase. If the student behavior is irritating, but not particularly disruptive, consider talking to the student privately, but do not shout on the student or insult the student in anyway. talk to the student calmly, if you feel unsafe being alone request any of your colleagues to accompany you. If it necessary to deal with student behavior in class you should firmly, but calmly inform the student that the behavior is disruptive and it need to be stopped. If the student continues the behavior he/she should be warned (perhaps in private) that behavior may result in student disciplinary action. or else he/she should be send out of the class room. if the student refuses to leave the class room after been instructed to do so that this refusal is a separate instance of disruptive behavior and subject to additional penalties. Keep a log of day, time, nature of disruptive behavior or any meeting you have with the student. so that it could be discussed with the staff and in the meetings. parents meeting can be held to discuss about such students. If the student seems to be very dangerous and if the instructor thinks that disrupting situation is escalating then the instructor should not turn his/her back it the student and should maintain a safe distance. Use non-confrontational approach to diffuse the situation. Role of organization in this situation:- Organization plays a major role in dealing with the disruptive behavior. instructors usually fail to address the disruptive behavior because they don't know how to handle the situation, conclude that reporting the disruptive behavior will cause emotional pain to an already unstable student, fear legal or physical retaliation from the disruptive student. Faculty members should be aware of resources designed to make their teaching easier. they can also refer resources given by campus such as counseling center, public safety, judicial affairs etc.Thus the organization plays an important role and therefore helps the faculty to come out from the difficult situation. thus the organization should have following compulsions and restrictions:- > restitutions or fines > suspension-student is prohibited from enrolling in classes or being on college premises for a specified period of time > expulsion from the university or college > the instructor may dismiss the disruptive student from class and the department should be notified of the dissimal > psychologist and counselors can aid the development of comprehensive understanding of the student's behavior which can help students to cope up with it. > counseling center staff provide faculty support for faculty who are dealing with disruptive students. they discuss such issues and help them > there should be university police department because it would be a source of primary support when such students engages in threats to harm himself or someone else. if a student poses threat to your safety, the safety of hi/her classmates, other staff members contact campus security immediately The instructor can make a referral to the organization when he/she know that they can't handle the situation or behavior. it is always better for the instructor to contact the organization if the problem is very serious. when instructor believes personality will interfere with their ability to help. when he/she know the student personally and believe that they could not be objective. when they feel overwhelmed or unsure of how to proceed with it. The organization should have counseling and psychological services, student health services, conduction of meetings, student mediation and conduct and many such arrangements to overcome the situation as an easy task. Thus organization plays a major role to overcome the disruptive behavior of the student and managing a co-operative and friendly learning environment. What is a group It has many definitions till now and there have been considerable debates about its merits. a group can be defined as a number of people who are in face to face contact , so that each of them can communicate with all the others. group in other words can be defined as several people who interact on regular basis, have a common frame of reference and are behaviorally independent. a group of students, taught together have unity and some students may act indifferently. This indifferent nature of the students can be managed by communicating with the students and maintaining a friendly environment in the group. Groups help the students to make their work load minimum. groups increases the communication between the team workers and thereby creating unity among the group members. For example a group consisting of eight participants can be managed by enhancing the communication between the teachers and the learners. consider their are five men and three women in this group. Though there is a difference in the ratio of the gender in the group, communication in such groups can be enhanced by teachers by considering all the students equally. in many cases of disruption it is seen that there is a controversies because of mental disturbance, stress, family problems, mental and physical stress. Communication between teachers and learners and learners themselves:-all that happens in a group or a classroom is created and sustained through communication. teaching methods, lesson plans, discipline, explanation, understanding and critiques of students can workout through communication. talking to students privately or being humble with them can also work out in this matter. such students should be treated immediately as they can harm themselves or others by communication. classroom communication makes easier to engage with students in learning activities during class but also enhance the communication between the students and between student and the teachers. by facilitating a shift from a passive, teacher centered classroom to student centered, classroom communication helps to create a classroom environment that makes learning easier. Classroom communication can be improved by arranging groups. an advantage of group is students take ownership of learning rather that being taught. This does not mean that instructors do not play a role, but students play an active role in learning more interestingly. Instructor should create a learning environment through the use of self-developing groups, innovative approach to course delivery and use of personal tutors. such types of groups not only decrease the communication gaps between the instructor and students, but also among learners. Thus communication plays a major role in creating a learning environment for students. classroom communication among the instructors and students indirectly help the tutor to make his/her teaching more approachable and simple. To make teaching easier one can make use of presentations, assignments, projects, discussion of the topic in the class, group discussion and other such activities which are indirect form of communication with students. This makes the topic or subject relevant to the student which plays a link between classroom communication and learning. Use of language by teachers and learners:- Language used in communicating the students effects the students behavior towards the subject .students today are more diverse in terms of race, gender, religion, political views, work experience and life experience. Students have been raised on a diet of popular culture and instant communication as they expect the instructor or faculty to use technology in classrooms. In order to grab the attention of student towards the class, Instructor has to be more cooperative and understanding. They should be more practical rather than talking theory classes. Strategies to improve classroom communication:-the instructor should discover practices of effective classroom management, how to establish a classroom climate, to work with students with many types of needs and apply a variety of management techniques to help responsible for their behavior and choices. Learn how to increase student's motivation, build positive student-teacher relationships, and develop effective partnerships between parents and school. Includes strategies to minimize and prevent classroom and behavior management problems and time management techniques such as managing email, paperwork, planning, and classroom organization. these strategies help the faculty tremendously in facing such problems. learn how to create a learning Community that encourages or motivates positive social interaction, active engagement, and self-regulation for every student. Arrange online and avoid face-to- face class sessions, you may participate using your home or work computer without having to drive to the college campus at a given set time.This may help students to approach students towards instructors teaching as it would be a best practice for maintaining effective classroom organization and to minimize disruptive behavior and learning. To analyze the methods for developing student-teacher relationship in the classroom. Teaching style influences classroom learning environment and how modification of teaching style can create a more effective learning environment for students. Improper teaching strategies can lead to student's misbehavior. Some of them arise due to inability of the teacher to meet the diverse need of the student such as group composition, cultural and linguistic barriers, limited planning time, lack of availability of resources and equipments. Implement strategies that encourage teachers and administrators to work together in dealing with classroom management issues. create effective learning activities that prevent classroom management difficulties and cultivate social and group responsibilities. Enhance communication with group and between the learners:- Instructors or teachers should use effective verbal and non-verbal. Communication techniques as well as instructional media to enhance. as a teacher one can control many variables to thwart undesirable manners. a instructor can modify his/her curriculum make adaptations in instructions to address multiple intelligences; and make changes in your communication style, attitude toward students with disabilities, and expectations of these students. Analyze how much positive feedback you give students. If you find that you use limited feedback (encouragement or praise), which accentuates positive behavior of students (and also communicates respect and promotes self-esteem and self- confidence), you may be contributing to behavior problems. Feedback (both verbal and nonverbal) is an important factor in the learning paradigm that is too often neglected, overlooked, or haphazardly orated. some of the activities as collaboration, active inquiry and supportive interaction with the students. The instructor fosters relationship with other colleagues and organization to support students learning and well being and acts with integrity and ethnical manner. teachers should implement curriculum plan for students that includes methods and strategies to apply technology to maximize student under facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards. use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students. apply technology to develop students' higher- order skills and creativity. manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment. Relationship between learners:-students have a good communication if there is a good communication between student and instructor. by improving the communication skills learners get to know each other. they work more practically and thus have a friendly relationship. Learners have a good communication and understanding if the instructor create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction and self regulation for every student. there would be more understanding among the students. there would be no indifferent behavior among them towards each other .thereby by managing organizations and groups for the improvement of the student will help the learner in the particular academic level. Thus learners or student share their views and thoughts and such reactivity of the students prevent them from disruptive behavior as they have unity among themselves and respect and dignity for their instructors. thus communication plays important and major role in building a strong relationship between the learners and instructors and learners themselves. thus the communication should be effective so that it could be maintain for longer time. Reference:- >Trudgen, Richard (2001) communication for teaching. >Hagerman, martin (1991) Good teaching. >Willis ,Scott man and Larry man (2000)ways to meet individual needs in teaching >Jacques D (1992) learning in groups >Watkins C (1998) managing classroom behavior >Jerry Olsen, Paul cooper(2001)-education >Duncan Chappell(2003)manage disruptive students Read More