Classroom Management

Institute for Teaching & Learning

By

Dr. Amit Savkar

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Know your role

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Course

Discussion TA

Follow directions

Help Prof Grading

Office hours

Feedback on student

performance

Course TA

Develop syllabus

Set course expectation

Set student expectation

Manage grading

Before the First Class

• Know your resources– University– Department – ITL– Husky CT, Peoplesoft etc.

• Look at the roster.• Print a copy of the roster for day one.

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Before the First Class

• Go over the syllabus. • Clearly identify your course

expectations.• Set clear student expectations.• State the goals for the course and

students.

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Before the First Class

• Visit the “physical classroom”.• Familiarize yourself with technology in

the classroom. • Make sure you have the correct

medium for writing.• Keep first day handout ready.

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On Day One!

• Introduce yourself. Explicitly state the way you would like to be addressed.

• Go over the syllabus.

• Emphasize important aspects.– Homework, Quiz.– Exam dates.– Grading Structure. 7

On Day One!

• Allow students to come in late.• They probably are trying to find their

way around the campus.• Set community rules by asking the

students.– Cell phones, Laptops, talking, sleeping,

eating, late arrivals, early departures etc.

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Victimless Crimes?

• Are there behaviors, which you don’t need to address?

• Do students have the right to do something else in class?

• Do students have the right to skip class

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How will you decide?

• Set “ground rules”• How will you

enforce them?• What if a student

challenges you in class?

• What if a student simply refuses to participate?

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Community rules help

• Ban Laptops/cell phones.• Walk around the room. • Ask the student/s publicly to stop.• Keep students engaged.• Remind them of community rules.

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Challenges

• Students not prepared?–Weekly quizzes.– Clarify concepts, help problem solving.– Summarize assignments for those who

weren’t prepared. – Could encourage interaction by giving

participation grades.

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Challenges

• Missed/Late Assessments?– Automatic grade reduction.–Make-ups, late papers allowed.–Must ask in advance, in writing.– If you allow one, what about others.– Could decide case by case or blanket

policy. BE CONSISTENT!

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Challenges

• Late Arrival/Early Departure?– Community rules.– You could close doors.– Greet the students by their name.– Give make-up notes on web.

• Arriving late or leaving early not signs of disrespect!

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Challenges

• Disruptive students.– Ignore student.– Ask other students what they think.– Suggest meeting after class.– Agree with student to calm situation.– Tell student to leave.– Put a positive spin on disruptions.

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Challenges

• Quite/Shy Students– Encourage participation.– Call on students by name.– Introduce active learning exercises.– Call on groups.– Is your classroom non-threatening?

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Student Expectations

Create a dialogue with students about class and “rules” for engagement.– Syllabus statement of expectations– Model good behavior and respect– Don’t take behaviors personally

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Student Expectations

Use formative assessment to find out what’s going on with students.– What can we do to improve your learning

in this class?– Clearest point, muddiest point

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Student Expectations

Get students involved and keep them involved!– Pair and share, small groups– Group quizzes– Relevant and meaningful problems– Peer and self grading with rubrics– Peer teaching

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Student Expectations

Learn names; anonymity allows for bad behavior.– Name cards– Photos– Index cards– Taking attendance– Handing back papers/homework

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False Assumption

• #1 Ignore it and it will go away!

• #2 It’s not my job to tell students what to do!

• #3 If my students like me I won’t have to deal with this!

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Engage, Engage & Engage!

• Use syllabus to set tone.

• Give them a reason to come to class.

• Give them a reason to be involved.

• Be respectful

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