Module 3 Management of Classrooms Structure and Activities

To promote an effective learning environment, teachers should be able to manage the

physical structure of the classroom and activities well. This lesson explores classroom
management as a key to effective e teaching. The objectives of this lesson are the following:

1. Interview how teachers manage classrooms structure and activities;

2. Determine how the classrooms structure and activities affect the students’ participation;
and
3. Learn how to effectively manage classrooms structure and activities

Educational Theory

According to Robert Sommer (1977), the classroom layout depends on the teacher’s
philosophy, objectives, activities, and priorities.

Teacher who believes that children learn best by listening usually arrange desks and
chairs in rows and columns. On the other hand, teacher who believe that students should
collaborate and communicate arrange desks and tables in clusters.

Aside from the teacher’s philosophy, learning activities also affect how the physical
space is a set up. If the activity requires students to work together, then there should be areas
where they can work as a group. However, if students need to do their work individually, then
the chairs and tables should be arranged in rows and columns (Fernandes et al. 2011).

Priorities and objectives also dictate how a clear is structured. Gremmen, et al. (2016)
identify academic and classroom management as top considerations when determining the
appropriate class layout.

Teachers most often arranges the physical structure to address the best way students can
learn. Thus, the best way for teachers to determine the ideal classroom setup is to look into the
activities that the students are engaged in.

Finally, the classroom setup should also account for behaviour management. Students
who need special attention should be strategically placed in front so that they can be attended to
immediately (Earp 2017).
Interview

A. In the box below, draw the room layout of a classroom?

B. Interview the cooperating teacher. Ask the following question:

1. What can you say about the physical structure of your classrooms?
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2. What were the things that you considered when you arranged the classroom?
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3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of physical
setup?
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Processing

Based on what the teacher’s responses on the interview, answer the following questions:
 1. Do you think that the classroom structure is consistent with the teacher’s objectives?
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2. How does the classroom setup affect the students’ performance and learning?
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3. If you were the teacher, what kind of classrooms structure would your adopt to maximize
the students’ learning?
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Reflection

Complete the following:

1. I realized that
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2. I believe that
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3. I feel that
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4. When I become a teacher, I will

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