LESSON 3 | Management of Classroom 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 teaching, The objectives of this lesson are the following: 1. observe how teachers manage classroom structure and activities; 2, determine how the classroom structure and activities affect the students’ participation; and 3. learn how to effectively manage classroom structure and activities. Education Theory According to Robert Sommer (1977), the classroom layout depends on the teacher's philosophy, objectives, activities, and priorities. ‘Teachers who believe that children learn best by listening usually arrange desks and chairs in rows and columns. On the other hand, teachers 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 set up. Ifthe 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 class is structured. Gremmen, et al. (2016) identify academic and classroom management as top considerations when determining the appropriate class layout. Teachers most often arrange 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 behavior management. Students who need special attention should be strategically placed in front so that they can be attended to immediately (Earp 2017). Chapter I: The Leaming Environment | 49’ Observation ‘A. Inthe box below, draw the room layout of the class you have observed, B. _ Interview the cooperating teacher. Ask the following questions: 1. What can you say about the physical structure of your classroom? ee What were the things that you considered when you arranged the classroom? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of physical setup? 50 | FIELD STUDY: A Guide for 21st Century Student Teachersa | processing Basi r Based on what you have observed in class and the teach ner's responses on the interviews answer the following questions: L . + objectives? Do you think that the classroom structure is consistent with the teacher's objectives’ Why? Why not? poi aacaeeee ae ee el dl and learning? 2. How does the classroom setup affect the students’ performance i feb ee i 3. If you were the teacher, what kind of classroom structure would you adopt to ‘maximize the students’ learning? Se [aoe h cel sp eee ea Reflection Complete the following: 1. Trealized that i 1 2. believe that : ‘Chapter I: The Learning Environment | 52.3, [feel that See 6 eee ee eee fe ear Te es a ee 4. When I become a teacher, I will SS eS ee SE 52 | FIELD STUDY I: Guide for 21st Century Student Teachers