CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT SKILLS: HOW DISCIPLINE, COMMUNICATION AND

CLASSROOM DESIGN IMPROVE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

University of the People

November 16, 2021

 Classroom management is a topic that has been spoken about and studied for years by

teachers, psychologists, and other professionals. Theories, strategies, skillsets, manuals, all try to

educate teachers about education. Nevertheless, there are many philosophies of education which

in turn, create differences in what these concepts of effective teaching and classroom

management mean. Where it differs depends on the focus or purpose of education for that

teacher or education institution: Is the learning centered in the teacher (or curriculum) or the

student? The Illiniois State Board of education defines classroom management as “one of the

most powerful factors in affecting student outcomes. Classroom management refers to the way a

teacher organizes and manages variables of the curriculum, time, space, and interactions with

students.” (ISBE). Silvia Cini (2017) defines it as “the use of procedures and teaching techniques

that promote a safe and efficient learning environment” and states that “disciplinary method and

behavioral expectations are central to this system” (Cini, 2017). She states seven big areas that

teachers should focus on when working towards an ideal classroom, but here the focus will be on

examining the three more important ones: classroom design, rules and communication.

As Cini states, classroom design is often overlooked (Cini, 2017) but the environment of

where students will spend the most amount of time in is crucial for the their engagement,

retention, attention and motivation (Steelcase, 2014). A well designed classroom will facilitate

the student’s learning experience and will boost a student’s learning outcome by 16% (Barrett et

al, 2015). This study that analyzed the impact of physical spaces on human health and wellbeing,

found that factors linked to nature like air quality, temperature, natural light and sound actually

affect the person’s ability to learn. They also found that depending on how the classroom is

designed, it might have a positive or negative affect on a student’s ability of making connection

or relating to others and of feeling identified with their environment or having a sense of
ownership. Another important factor this study concluded was how stimulation, like the use of

posters, colors, and different elements and spaces, will have a direct effect on their focus,

emotions and therefore, learning outcome (Barett et al, 2015). A challenge a teacher may face

here is that younger students might become distracted with so much information and stimuli.

Therefore, teachers must be careful and chose these elements wisely in order to not create

confusion or negative emotions in children. On another note, according to Steelcase and a

research they did on Active Learning in 2014, the rearranging of a desks from a classical

configuration to a flexible, grouped one can improve aspects like collaboration, focus,

opportunity to engage, stimluation, active involvement, and many more. “Both students and

faculty reported that new classrooms contributed to higher engagement, the expectation of better

grades, more motivation and more creativity.” (Steelcase, 2014).

It is difficult to separate the areas of rules and discipline as Cini (2017) does, because the

latter is the implementation of the former. Rules are the basis of everything: games, relationship,

communities and society (laws) and even morality. Classrooms are mini communities and setting

rules is the first thing teachers must do in order to create an effective and positive learning

environment. As a teacher, one can create a class code of conduct or a class agreement which

will usually include social behavior, work ethic, classroom rules and it may include

consequences. This type of activity clearly communicate norms, but it also creates community,

and following them is an essential aspect of community building (Evertson and Neal, 2006).

Setting rules will underline the expectations that a teacher has of both learning and behavior, and

continuing to apply them is extremely important as it will set the foundation for students success

in life. Having rules and being disciplined is “a transferrable skill in life and it can bring on many

virtues, such as professional success through being focused and staying healthy” (Eurekly, 2021).
The presence of boundaries is crucial for children because it helps model and shape their role in

society. Limits will give students skills like self-regulation, routine and schedule, goal

achievement, and justice and ethics. One of the biggest challenges a teacher may face in this area

is negative behavior management. It might cause frustration and strong emotions in both teacher

and student, and if not handled well, can cause consequences that can damage the relationship

between them two. Instead of punishment teachers can always look for other alternatives like

positive reinforcement, taking away privileges that are causing that misbehaviour, giving time

outs, and others (Bodo, 2020). As teachers, we can always asking for help and guidance as to

how to solve these type of issues.

Last but not least is the area of communication. It is a challenging topic. Not only

because of the vast amount of research and knowledge regarding the importance of this skill, but

because it involves so many different areas (verbal such as listening, speaking writing, reading /

non verbal such as posture, volume, facil expressions) and different steps and components of

communication (sender, message, receiver). In the case of teachers, it also emcompasses the

different individuals that must be in constant, effective communication such as collegues,

parents, students, administration, and others. The basis is always respect, but having an open,

fluent and constant communication will develop true, strong teacher-student relationship and

student-student relationships. Teachers are responsible for breaking down complex information

in order for children to understand, “presenting [it] in a manner that sustains their attention, and

listening to and resolving their questions or problems” (Sword, 2020). The value of listening is

huge. Active listening might be one of the top skills in communication, but listening also

emcompasses the ability to read the room and “listen” to students’ feelings and emotions,

attending these in a kind but strategic manner. Some challenges teachers may face here include
using negative feedback more than positive feedback, using ‘teacher authority’ to show power in

a vertical relationship, not being clear enough during instruction or about expectations, and

others (Sword, 2020). As teachers, we must encourage students to interact and communicate.

Lessons should have student input and assessments must provide feedback to the student so they

understand which areas they can improve (Diloyan, 2017).

Being a new teacher is not easy. It is not only a full-time job, it requires empathy,

patience, discipline, management and communication skills, and loads of love and devotion for

education. Children are incredibly special and as teachers, we have the honor to show them how

the world works while expanding their minds and shaping them into human beings. As teachers,

we have the ability to say that we are changing the world. We are contributing to a child’s view

of life and we are creating a impact in how they will lead actions in their future. Class

management is one of the strongest skills a teacher can have for effective learning, and having

good communication skills, together with limits, rules and discipline plus an inviting learning

environment and classroom design will make teachers’ and students’ experience a lot more easy

going and positive.

REFERENCES:

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https://www.eurekly.com/blog/21-questions-about-classroom-discipline-that-bother-every

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Barrett, P., Barrett, L. Davies, F., & Zhang, Y. (2015). The impact of classroom design on pupils'

learning: Final results of a holistic, multi-level analysis. Building and Environment, v 89,

p. 118-133, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.02.013

Bodo, S. (2020). The Education Pendulum: the Role of Discipline in Learner Performance and

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Cini, S. (2017). Seven Key Elements for Effective Classroom Management. Classroom.

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(n.d.) Classroom Management and Discipline. ISBE.

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(2016). How Classroom Design Affects Engagement. Steelcase.

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(2020). The Importance of Purposeful Design. Envoplan.

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