Classroom management strategies are important to create a conducive and productive learning environment. These techniques are essential to promote focus in students. In addition, these are also effective in establishing strong student-teacher relationships for an enhanced learning experience.
If you are a teacher or wish to hone your student-handling skills, this information will give you detailed insights of these skills for both traditional and online class management.
Before we begin with techniques and instructional strategies for classroom management, let’s take a look at some ground realities about teachers and their professional development.
Read on to discover more!
Facts About Indian Teachers in the Past Couple of Years
Teacher Shortage-
India witnessed a shortage of trained teachers between the years 2020-22. Please refer to the chart below for exact figures.
Student-Teacher Ratio-
As of 2021, many Indian states had a huge percentage of schools operating below the defined standards of the PTR (pupil-teacher ratio as per the RTE) i.e. 30 and 35 pupils per teacher. Here’s a look at the state-wise percentage.
| State | % |
| Bihar | 66% |
| Jharkhand | 52% |
| Uttar Pradesh | 37% |
| Madhya Pradesh | 36% |
| Andhra Pradesh | 34% |
Expenditure on Teacher’s Professional Development-
All teachers need to hone their skills for classroom management. And periodic professional development programs/initiatives help in developing these skill sets in teachers. In the financial year 2023, India’s total budget expenditure for teacher training and adult education was around 1.27 billion rupees. This amount was Rs. 2.5 billion rupees in the financial year 2022.
Despite the challenges, there’s still hope with the new education policy, and curriculum framework (in the pipeline). Let’s move ahead on an optimistic note and explore more about traditional and online class management.
What is Classroom Management?
In the teaching and learning process, classroom management in the classroom (virtual or face-to-face) helps in creating a desirable learning environment. Globally, we all acknowledge the power of a positive learning environment.
UNESCO elaborates on a positive learning environment beautifully. It is a welcoming learning environment where a student feels safe, nurtured, and supported in every sense of the term. For any teacher, skills for classroom management are the biggest tool to create this level of learning environment.
Why Do We Need Effective Classroom Management?
Managing behavior issues
In a virtual classroom or a traditional brick-and-mortar school, disruptive behavior is a huge hindrance to both teachers and students. Most classrooms have some students with behavior issues. And these common problems (like cross talks, arguments, distractions, etc.) need to be handled well to maintain an academically engaging environment. A teacher’s classroom management skills keep a check on the overall learning environment. And eventually, all this boils down to better student focus.
Develop a sense of responsibility
Instructional strategies for classroom management also aim at making students more responsible for their actions. A good teacher instills a sense of belongingness in students. And leads the group from the front. For instance, if two students get into an argument, it is essential to teach them the importance of taking responsibility for their own actions. And make them understand how these issues could have been avoided with a more empathetic approach. Teachers proficient with online classroom management (in online schools) are often experts in handling student conflicts. Because virtual classes as they deal with bigger culturally diverse groups.
Action/Handling Off Task activities
The lack of compliance is a real problem in any classroom, be it online or a traditional one. I am sure all of us identify with instances of students running around, chatting, and being distracted in the classroom. As a result, classroom management strategies and rules are highly relevant for heterogeneous student groups at all times.
Do you know that a teacher can be highly impactful in the class if he/she knows how to manage the online/face-to-face class well?
Read further to know the first-hand views of students in this regard.
Data-Backed Impact of Classroom Management Skills of the Teachers on Student Learning
Research proves a positive impact on the classroom learning environment and the teacher’s class management skills. Here’s a look at a related student survey wherein a majority of students agreed to the teacher’s impact in managing classroom discipline.
| Parameter | Students agreed |
| A disciplined class enhances learning | 86% |
| Class rules defined by teachers improve academic achievements | 68.60% |
| Teachers do not tolerate indiscipline | 89% |
Clearly, instructional strategies for classroom management are imperative for teachers. Let’s move on to the ways of implementing these in an online/traditional classroom.
5 Effective Tips for Classroom Management in the classroom
Set the Tone Right
In a classroom, one needs to set expectations right from day one. Teaching values like respect, responsibility, politeness, etiquette, permission processes, etc. are the first priority for any teacher for traditional or online classroom management.
Colorful posters with rules, badges, stars, applause for rule adherence, and jingles that reiterate these rules in a fun manner never go wrong. As per the age group, you can also go ahead and create a consequence plan to bring a positive change. Do not forget to deal with the defaulters in a non-judgmental way. Because it is important to stick to positive strategies without any elements of shaming, defaming, or blaming students.
Students who do not follow rules can be asked to repeat or explain some part of the lesson with your help. Such positive practices will keep your class environment positive and encouraging.
Spontaneous Fun Elements
Simple yet fun activities like a surprise box with the name of the most well-behaved student or a cardboard dangler with cut-outs of names for winners of the best behavior theme are super fun. Create some fun clues (like typical sounds) to ask students to lower their voices. Add more creative elements with the students answering back and establishing silence after the sounds end. Do you know that online teachers are experts in student handling through verbal and nonverbal clues?
But the fact of the matter is that you can try these techniques for both physical and online class management. Here’s a quick example of using Gibberish (all students imagine they are aliens). You can instruct the class to respond in Gibberish as soon as they hear your sound in the same manner. These sounds end when the teacher raises her hand. Because this clue means a transformation from aliens back to humans.
Collaboration
You can also try instructional strategies for classroom management by dividing students into groups or assigning partners. At the end of any academic/non-academic activity, the winning team can be announced based on performance and good behavior. With most age groups, collaboration works brilliantly. So try this one out to instill more qualities like teamwork. And you can also identify potential leaders in your classroom as well.
Rewards by Choices
Eminent American psychologist, B. F. Skinner came up with a fascinating theory called ‘Operant Conditioning’. Since then, the power of positive reinforcement has been used by educationalists, stakeholders, and academicians all over the world.
Try out different ways of positive reinforcement for example, give your students a reward box with cardboard pieces containing the names of rewards. Let the most well-behaved student pick a card and take a reward every week for 100% adherence to rules.
You can further use more innovative ideas and your classroom management skills to add more elements or surprises for the students. Toys, stickers, smileys, or just an extra separate seating space can do wonders in your class. Incorporate these elements and let the magic unfold!
Non Verbal Signs
For many teachers, instructional strategies for classroom management totally depend on the mix of students in their regular/online classes. In most cases, non-verbal clues go well with students. In fact, these are also a vogue that they love to follow. Thumbs up, down, silent coyote, Fist up, listen, and help signs are highly effective for students. Once again, set these rules in the beginning so that the students accept them as a part of the everyday class routine.
Final Thoughts
Be it the online or regular mode, classroom management has some serious challenges!
It requires skillsets to manage all students at all times. In fact, student handling can be the most difficult part of a teacher’s life. With the changing paradigm of instructional delivery, our teachers need to be more updated, efficient, and realistic with class management. The core idea is to get the basics right. And the rest is the art of making the right choice as per the needs and temperament of your students.
Thanks for Reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is classroom management?
Classroom management helps in creating a desirable educational environment that fosters better learning through the power of discipline.
- Why do we need effective classroom management?
Without managing the class well, a teacher cannot succeed in delivering effective instructions. Poor class discipline hampers the overall teaching and learning process. And it also interrupts the pace of the syllabus.
- What are the best Tips for classroom management?
You can try the following tips:- Nonverbal clues
- Reward system
- Set class rules
- Applaud good behavior
- Encourage peer collaboration
- How to make classroom management in the classroom easy for the teachers?
Regular professional development programs help teachers learn new techniques basis the best practices prevalent in top institutions. In addition, new teachers can always join experienced educators to observe their real-time student-handling strategies.
Suggested Read
- Online Classroom Rules: How to Establish and Make Them Effective
- Time Management Tips For Students
- Gaming In Education: A Useful Tool In The 21st Century?
- The Importance Of Poetry In Education: Reasons Why You Should Teach Poetry In School?
- Importance Of Grammar In English
- Coding For Schools: 10 Reasons Why Online Schools Teach Coding
- Top 10 Qualities of Good Student | Dare to Miss Out
- Importance Of Skill Development In School Education
- Holistic Development for Students: Meaning & Importance
