Maintaining classroom discipline constitutes one of the most integral concerns of teachers as part of a well-managed classroom. But no matter how well-managed, students will occasionally misbehave which oftentimes lead to conflict with one student to another. However, discipline is a controlled behavior and teachers must be ready when dealing with it with utmost considerations. For that, below are some of the preventive measures that can help to stop classroom turmoil:
One of the solutions teachers may opt to consider is implementing group-oriented methodologies such as cooperative learning approach, group projects, peer tutoring and team learning. Such strategies encourage strong cooperation and shared responsibility with the groups, thus eliminating potential conflicts. This is also an excellent avenue to ensure active involvement and participation among students rather than passive attention in some routine activities.
It will also be very essential if the teachers possess these equally important personal attributes: compassion, concern and caring attitudes, patience, respect and trust. A calm and composed teacher's reaction when dealing with untoward behaviors can insure acceptable solutions. A compassionate teacher feels sympathy towards student's struggles while sincere concern for the student's growth and welfare are easily appreciated.
Next is that the teachers' personalities are the most effective arms that can either bring about advantages and disadvantages towards a controllable learning situation. Respectable relationships between the students through sincere and straightforward communication can promote credibility and trust. Unpretentious gestures and genuine modes of receiving students' explanations can bring about peace of mind. Such gestures can also be demonstrated with different facial expressions which can show all kinds of emotions like anger, joy and satisfaction. Teachers must also give ample attention to every kind of words, praise, greetings, encouragements and friendly conversations towards the students. A caring attitude among teachers can be modeled and the students will definitely feel confident and secure in return.
Teachers who are sensitive to possible misdirection of efforts and interactions are fast to switch from one teaching strategy into another teacher strategy. With that, it is important to keep in mind that there must be clear understandings with the objectives of the lessons.
The teachers' learning styles will also determine how the students will either positively or negatively respond; sometimes receptive and withdrawn. This points to the way students move around during the class activity, how teachers give order and how the procedures are clearly explained. The use of appropriate assessment tools and evaluation can significantly show not only a well-organized classroom but as well as the final achievement of learning objectives.
Above all, teachers must refrain from unusual closeness or favoritism and biased treatment among students. It is always vital to treat the students equally so there will be nobody among the students to feel being left out from the group which is one common reason why some students are attention-seeker.
Arising conflicts among students in a classroom is highly inevitable. But whatever conflicts the students may have with one another, teachers can always easily resolve classroom disciplinary problems if only they know what are the most considerable options to choose from. Maintaining classroom discipline might not sound so easy but learning how to do so can really help.