Classroom And Lab Management

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

I am quite pleased with the overall performance of this week.

Furthermore, I am really satisfied with the fact that I am recognizing the students, and acknowledging them using their names.

I am also quite happy with the good relationship that I have built with the students.

Critical appraisal of own practice

Using a variety of resources, including Prezi presentations, PowerPoints, GoAnimate video clips and Animoto clips to help the students better understand a number of concepts during the development part of the lesson, while also helping them maintain their focus.

Designing detailed worksheets, WebQuest and debates, and also game activities (quizzes and crossword puzzles) that will help them in constructing their knowledge, either individually or else as a group.

Making use of questions that will help the students in arriving in a conclusion, rather than just stating a fact or a solution myself.

Being attentive to what is going on in class, even while explaining something myself. This helps in identifying the students to try to drink or eat in the lab.

I always over-prepare a bit. There are instances where the students work a lot, and there are others where they take it more slowly. Over-planning helps me during the lesson, as I would know what to do, if the students finish all of the activities that had been prepared for them.

Extra worksheets, for both ICT and Computing students were prepared, just in case a number of students finish early. This will also help them in their revision.

Enforced discipline with every class to control misbehaviour.

Going around the lab, especially during the ICT lessons, as to determine whether everyone is working and have any difficulties.

Challenges encountered and how I am planning to overcome them

I am still finding it a bit difficult to manage the 2 Pearl class. This week, I tried to call out names and change places whenever certain students started disrupting the class. However, there were still a number of disturbances throughout the lesson. Next time, I will have to use points if these students misbehave again.

I need to also think of simple examples which I can use to explain certain concepts. I am still taking a number of things for granted, or which I consider to be known by the students. Therefore, when introducing a new concept, I need to start to ask questions from the very basic concepts and ideas.

I also need to be careful, so as to not use particular words repetitively when asking questions or introducing new ideas or concepts.

The internet filter poses a number of problems. It even restricts me to what type of resources that I can use during the lesson, as not all of the websites which are use can be accessed from school. Next week, I will be using Voki, and so I need to make sure to record the clips, not to have internet problems during the lesson.

I need to keep in mind that the exams have to be answered in English and so I also need to help students at answering in English during the lesson. I tried to implement this during this week, but there were students who could not express themselves well, and so I let them answer in Maltese. I need to enforce this more in the coming weeks.

Other possible improvements to avoid problems

Explaining the activities to be carried out and allowing students to ask questions about the activity prior starting the activity itself.

Solutions found in the literature

As explained in a number of class profiles, I am finding it difficult to manage the 2 Pearl class, as there are a number of difficult students. I tried to warn the students, change places, but the class is still being disrupted.

Linsin (2011), provides seven tips that help in handling difficult students. the following are some of the tips and the reasoning behind these tips: (Linsin, 2011)

Linsin explains that the teachers should not argue with difficult students, as this will only backfire, and arguments will form.

A teacher should never reprimand or shout to correct any form of misbehaviour, as this can lead to all the students within the class to start disliking the teacher, which in turn could lead to more misbehaviour.

Furthermore, the teacher needs to remain calm and in control, as otherwise the students might notice and the tension in the class will arise, causing further problems.

Any misbehaviour should be noticed and handled accordingly. If any form of misbehaviour is ignored, then the students might try other forms of misbehaviour.

Linsin (2011) further explains that the most effective way is to build a good relationship with these students, which is based on trust and respect. The students’ behaviour can then be changed and improved through good influence and guidance, and this will in turn also have an effect on the students’ academic performance itself. (Linsin, 2011)

New techniques I am trying out and developing

Try to ask specific questions to specific students.

Explain the tasks to be carried out at home and in class, in more detail, so as to avoid any misconceptions and queries about the activity.

Classroom and lab management

Being in computer lab prior the arrival of the students, especially in the morning lessons, as in this way, I will have the time necessary to prepare resources to be used during the lesson, and also place any needed files on the shared drive.

Making sure that no one drinks in the lab, but if need be, the students need to request permission and drink near the door.

At the end of the lesson, I make sure that all of the computers are switched off. I also inform the students as to place the chairs around the middle table or the computer table.

Class discipline

Being fair with all the students.

Praising the students who show effort, either in their homework or any other class activity.

Methodology

I.C.T. lesson:

Introduction

Development

Activity

Conclusion and follow up.

Computing lesson:

The lesson is normally composed of a number of development and activity sections.Introduction

Development

Activity

Conclusion and follow up.

Helping students to encounter new I.C.T. concepts and master new I.C.T. skills

Detailed worksheets, which are designed to help students learn about certain concepts and how to.

Helping the students to make efficient use of the internet by looking for information online, through a WebQuest, and then allowing the students to present their work to the other students.

I also try to suggest and explain the use of a number of applications that can be used, whenever students ask me to advice a particular application for a particular use.

What I have learnt?

Some students still test your limits, and check whether you are being consistent and treating everyone as equals.

Good revision of the concepts learnt in the past months help in clearing out any misconceptions and difficulties that the students have. Once the basics are in place the students will be able to focus more on the new concepts.

Fun and enthusiasm during lesson provide effective learning and understanding for certain ideas and concepts.

Reflection

Visual aids help students in grasping the concepts better.

New objectives

Try to use more simple examples, so as to be able to explain certain difficult concepts, which the students might have a difficulty in comprehending.

Try to ask specific questions to specific students.

I also need to avoid repeating the same words, for example "OK?" and "Ftehmna jew le?" during the development part of the lesson.