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1 International Conference on Engineering Education and Innovation, December 13-14, 2018, Myanmar
EE-1
Creating A Supportive Learning Environment: Classroom Management
Issues
Daw Zar Chi Yu Aung
Department of Language, University of Computer Studies, Loikaw, zarchiyuaung.zarchi@gmail.com
Abstract— In accomplishing educational objectives and presented a similar definition: “classroom management
creating a supportive learning environment, classroom refers to actions taken to create and maintain a conducive
management plays an important role. Classroom management learning environment to successful instruction such as
refers to the strategies that the teacher manage to control the arranging the physical environment, establishing rules and
classroom effectively and to stimulate students’ motivation on procedures, maintaining students’ attention to lessons and
their learning and to support the students’ learning needs. engagement in activities.”
This study aims at classroom management issues that create a Both definitions emphasize the importance of actions
supportive learning environment to support the learning taken by the teacher to facilitate learning for the students.
needs of students and assess the factors that help build a It can also be said that classroom management is the
supportive learning environment in order to achieve the strategies, techniques and the abilities how a teacher
students’ academic success. This paper describes about manages to control the classroom and how to motivate and
classroom management strategies and characteristics, how to
create a supportive learning environment and how to motivate stimulate students’ enthusiasm and interesting on their
the students in the classroom. In this paper, moreover, learning and how to support the student’s learning needs.
teaching and learning activities that were performed in real By using these effective classroom management strategies
classroom are also mentioned. As a teacher, it is important to and techniques, teachers can create the ways how to get
focus on effective classroom management strategies to support students’ academic achievement and academic success.
the learning needs of students as classroom management According to Evertson and Weinstein (2006), in order
paves the way for creating an environment supportive to to attain a high quality of classroom management, teachers
learning and for achieving students’ academic success. must take five types of actions. They are:
To develop caring, supportive relationships with and
Keywords— Classroom management, learning environment, among students
learning needs, strategies, academic success To organize and implement instruction in ways that
I. INTRODUCTION optimize students’ access to learning
Teachers play a fundamental role in shaping to achieve To encourage students’ engagement in academic
effective education through establishing a supportive tasks, which can be done by using group
learning environment, helping all students achieve management methods
academic success and supporting students’ learning needs. To promote the development of students’ social
Teachers face many difficulties and challenges in skills and self-regulation
creating a supportive learning environment because there To use appropriate interventions to assist students
are so many personalities and different levels in one with behaviour problems
classroom. The various contexts, locations and cultures in B. Classroom management strategies
which students learn is defined as the learning environment Classroom management strategies are tools that the
(Rasheedah Jibrin, 2017). Effective teachers use teachers can use to help create inviting and appealing
appropriate teaching strategies to meet specific learning environments for students’ learning process. Keeping
needs of students by allocating students to work together on students focused can be a daunting task. Many things
specific tasks and engage in peer discussions and team contribute to inattentions ranging from an inadequate
work as well as peer-assess through classroom activities breakfast to a restless night’s sleep. Regardless of the cause,
(Sonia Hankova, 2015). teachers must be able to use strategies that engage their
So, managing a classroom might seem a daunting task, students’ focus and help them remain on task. Effective
but it is achievable. Effective classroom management strategies use techniques that encourage students to
(ECM) means implementing strategies that create a safe, participate and stay attentive throughout the school day.
fair and supportive learning environment for students to According to Natalie Schwartz (2018), there are top 10
flourish in. Without effective classroom management, secrets of successful classroom management strategies.
classrooms are disorganized and chaotic, and very little These strategies are:
academic learning can happen (Elias & Schwab, 2006). Effective classroom management is based on a
Thus, in accomplishing educational objectives and learnable set of skills.
creating a supportive learning environment, classroom Establish a positive relationship with the class.
management is an essential part and a key component. Praise is a powerful tool.
Welcome feedback from students.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW Create a safe and supportive learning environment.
A. What is classroom management? Variety is the key to engaging students.
Classroom management refers to the actions teachers Establish the expectation that everyone must
take to create a positive and supportive learning participate in class every day.
environment for the academic and social emotional Assessments should look forward, not back.
learning of students and classroom management is an Parents have the expectation of teachers.
ongoing interaction between teachers and students Indicate to parents the potential for growth in their
(Evertson and Weingtein, 2006). Brophy (2006) also child.
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Apart from classroom management strategies, there are has an interest in learning the subject and is inspired
various characteristics that describes a well-managed and internally. However, extrinsic motivation occurs when
efficient classroom. It is essential to have well-managed other factors, such as a reward or recognition driving them
classroom that help improve classroom efficiency and to participate in class. It is the teacher’s responsibility to
create an environment conducive to learning. These engage students in learning by tapping into intrinsic and
characteristics are: extrinsic motivation. To stimulate students’ motivation, it is
Student Engagement crucial to focus on the following methods.
Clear Expectations Foster a positive learning environment
Effective Time Management Build rapport with students
Positive and Supportive Learning Environment Prepare engaging lessons
Firm Discipline Give students options
C. Creating a supportive learning environment Start a reward and recognition program
Learning environment can refer to an educational III. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY
approach, various cultural contexts, or physical setting in This survey aims at classroom management issues that
which teaching and learning occur. Classroom environment create a supportive learning environment to support the
is one of the most important factors affecting students learning needs of students and to assess the factors that help
learning. Students learn better when they view the learning build a supportive learning environment in order to achieve
environment as positive and supportive (Joan Young, 2014). the students’ academic success. This study was conducted
Supportive learning environment is to meet the learning at the University of Computer Studies, Loikaw. The study
needs of students and to achieve students’ learning success. period was from August 2018 to October 2018. Survey
Saying that, positive and supportive learning environments design was adopted for this study. The study population
don’t just happen on their own_ they must be created. So, was all students of first year to fourth year students from
teachers need to create a supportive learning environment the University of Computer Studies, Loikaw. There are
that help provide the learning needs of students and total of 417 students in 2017-2018 academic year and the
improve the learning process. sample population was 247 students. The students readily
The learning environment can be created to be available at the time of data collection were chosen to get
supportive and productive by building positive the nearly half of total students from the University.
relationships between students and student-teacher Therefore, convenient sampling method was used for this
relationships, promoting a culture of respect through study. The required data were collected by self-
collaborative and cooperative work in a student-centered administered structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics
learning environment, utilizing strategies that promote such as frequency and percentage were computed for
students’ self-confidence and motivation. perception of the students.
Supporting to develop deep levels of students thinking
is also an important issue for a supportive learning IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
environment. This can be created by promoting substantive
classroom discussions, allowing students to work Two hundred and fourty-seven students were collected
collaboratively during investigations and problem solving for this survey about the learning environment they want.
tasks, sharing ideas and promoting questioning (Sonia In this survey, there are 9 items for students’ perception
Hankova, 2015). concerning with creating a supportive learning environment
Using various style of learning activities is also a key through the effective classroom management.
component in creating a supportive learning environment. Table (1) Students’ perception for student-centered approach and
Teachers should vary the style of learning activities to teacher-centered approach
allow students to explore the ways in which they learn best. Item Frequency (%)
This also enables all students to develop skills to actively Students’ perception for
participate in a variety of learning situations. Activities that (1) Student-centered approach 163 66.0
promote and encourage the development of group trust, (2) Teacher-centered approach 84 34.0
build communication skills and enhance cooperation should
be created. Total 247 100.0
Maintaining negative attitudes and behaviour is another
important factor. Teachers should maintain a learning Regarding with the students’ perception for student-
environment free from bullying, exclusion, harassment and centered approach and teacher-centered approach, most of
negative behaviour to promote respect and provide a safe the students (66.0%) agree with that student-centered
learning space. approach can help more improve students’ academic
Creating a supportive learning environment is one of performance and achievement than teacher-centered
the key component in classroom management issues. Thus, approach. The rest of students (34.0%) disagree with that.
teachers should create a positive and supportive learning According to the result, most of the students can accept to
environment by using effective classroom management change student-centered approach whereas about one third
strategies. of students cannot still accept.
D. How to motivate the students in the classroom Nowadays, education system is changing from teacher-
centered approach to student-centered approach. Jones, Leo
In creating a supportive learning environment, (2007) stated that student-centered learning, also known as
stimulating students’ motivation is a key component of learner-centered education, broadly encompasses methods
learning process. One of the major challenges in the of teaching that shift the focus of instruction from the
classroom is stimulating students’ motivation. The two teacher to the students and put responsibility for the
types of motivation for learning process are intrinsic and learning path in the hands of students by imparting them
extrinsic. Intrinsic learning occurs when the student already with skills.
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Johnson, Eli (2013) stated that teacher-centered progress students’ academic performance and achieve their
approach situates the teacher as the primarily “active” role academic success than traditional teaching methods
while students take a more “passive”, receptive role. To be whereas a number of students (31.2%) disagree with that.
effective education, student-centered approach is more Teaching styles have changed significantly over the
effective one. years. The back-to-basics traditional educational method,
According to the result, it is necessary to get full also known as conventional education, is still widely used
percentage of acceptance in the process of changing the in schools. The old-fashioned way of teaching was all about
student-centered approach. Thus, teachers should effort to recitation and memorization techniques. The modern way
assess the barriers in the process of changing student- of teaching is more activity based, using questioning,
centered approach. explaining, demonstration and collaboration technique and
interactive methods.
Table (2) Students’ perception for supportive learning environment According to the result, two-third of the students can
The supportive learning environment accept using modern teaching methods whereas about one-
is an essential learning space for Frequency (%) third of students still accept using traditional teaching
students. methods.
Agree 243 98.4 Education reforms mean that learning is taught from a
Disagree 4 1.6 completely different angle. Progressive educational
practices focus more on the individual students’ needs
As shown in table (2), it can be seen that almost all rather than assuming all students are at the same level of
students (98.4%) agree with that supportive learning understanding.
environment is an essential learning space for students. A Saying that traditional and modern teaching methods
positive and supportive learning environment provides are both effective and useful in today’s education. Thus,
relevant content, clear learning goals and feedback, teachers need to understand when a traditional method
opportunities to build social skills, and strategies to help works best and when it’s right to try new and innovative
students succeed (Joan Young, 2014). According to the approaches and teachers should assess which teaching
result, almost all students desire a supportive learning method is appropriate or not for students.
environment for their learning process. Thus, it is important Disagree
to create a welcoming atmosphere that the students need. (4%)
Table (3) Students’ perception for the ECM strategies and strict discipline
For managing the classroom effectively, Agree
using ECM strategies is more effective Frequency (%) (96%)
way for students than using strict
discipline.
Agree 128 51.8
Disagree 119 48.2 Disagree Agree
It can be seen that a number of students (51.8%) agree
with that using ECM strategies is more effective way to Figure (2) Students’ perception for stimulating students’ motivation
manage the classroom effectively whereas the number of that is a key component of learning process
students (48.2%) agree with that using strict discipline is It can be seen that in creating a supportive learning
more effective one as shown in table (3). To create a environment, stimulating students’ motivation is a key
supportive learning environment, the most effective way is component of learning process. In this survey, 96% of
using effective classroom management strategies in students agree with it as shown in Figure (2). Motivation is
classroom. According to the result, however, nearly half of essential to learning since it is the driving force for students
to complete tasks that build knowledge (Chi Nguyen, 2008).
the students don’t seem to realize the effective classroom Without students’ motivation, teachers can’t run the
management strategies. Thus, it is necessary to explain the classroom effectively. According to the result, almost all
students about classroom management strategies and use
these strategies in the classroom effectively. students agree with the fact that students’ motivation is a
key component of learning process. Thus, it is important to
stimulate students’ motivation.
s 170 Table (4) Students’ perception for the continuous flow of activities at
tn 200 four skills
ed 77
ust Traditional Students’ perception for the Agree
of100 continuous flow of activities
er teaching at four skills Frequency (%)
mb 0 Method
uN Modern Reading activity 192 77.7
teaching writing activity 176 71.3
method Listening activity 211 85.4
Speaking activity 195 78.9
Figure (1) Students’ perception for traditional teaching method and
modern teaching method In Question No 6-9, students’ perception about reading,
As shown in figure (1), most of the students (68.8%) writing, listening and speaking activities were assessed.
agree with modern teaching methods can help more
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1 International Conference on Engineering Education and Innovation, December 13-14, 2018, Myanmar
In creating a supportive learning environment for Thus, students should pay attention not only on what is said,
reading activity, students more admire discussing with each but also how it is said (Mary Milne, 2017).
other and participating various group activities to achieve For speaking activity, most of students (78.9%) are
critical thinking skills than explaining and translating a willing to participate and speak foreign language than their
passage only by a teacher. For this concept, majority of native language for the sake of being fluent and proficient
students (77.7%) agree this. in the language class. So, teachers should train to improve
Reading is a process of the brain and it takes time to students’ speaking skills and to be confidence in speaking
develop. Students’ mind should attach meaning to the foreign language. Moreover, it is necessary to give the
words, phrases and expressions represented by symbols, following guidelines for students.
and get to understand the grammar and structure of the Trying to imitate the speakers admired
language used in the passage to read. It is also important to Picking a topic to talk about
get students’ interest in reading activity (Mary Milne, Studying reductions, linking words, native speech,
2017). Thus, it is necessary to focus on the following connect words and squeeze words
methods and give guidelines for the students. Doing interesting activities in English
Creating a supportive pleasant classroom climate Having a debate
where students are free from embarrassment with the Speaking is often the hardest of the four language skills,
aim of concentrating on their reading activity. but as soon as students can speak a little English, there are
Raising critical thinking skills while they are reading lots of ways to improve quickly.
Discussing with each other Reading, writing, listening and speaking are the four
Creating various reading activities language skills that need to develop for complete
The teaching method that is explaining and translating communication. Listening and reading are receptive: the
only by a teacher can create a passive learning environment exposure that have to authentic language in use. Speaking
for students. For the continuous flow of reading activity, and writing are productive: the action of producing
teachers should create active learning environment. language as part of the process of second language learning.
For writing activity, most of students (71.3%) agree To achieve these four basic language skills, students
with that brainstorming and eliciting own ideas, cultivating need to surround themselves with English and teachers
writing habits and presenting own logical writing style are should make them practise systematically (Mary Milne,
more effective than taking by heart for improving their 2017).
writing skill. For this concept, although nearly two third of
students agree this, some students use recitation and V. CREATING TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES IN
memorization method until now. Teachers should reform REAL CLASSROOM
this system. For the continuous flow of writing activity, it is In 2017-2018 academic year, the author had the
important to focus on the following methods. responsibility to teach the fourth year students from the
Giving guidelines how to write and develop the University of Computer Studies, Loikaw. A number of
right writing habits fourth year computer science students were twenty seven
Giving guidelines to pay attention to sentence and a number of fourth year computer technology students
structures, word choices, using grammar, were ten. So, there were total of thirty seven students in the
vocabulary and spelling correctly combined class for English subject. It was suitable number
Cultivating to present clear and logical writing style, of students for a teacher as there can be many difficulties
reasonable opinions and coherence and cohesion and challenges for a teacher due to large class. Students
Even though it may be intimidating to a lot of people, could be trained and practised with various activities by
anyone can get used to writing with a little discipline and a using classroom management strategies because there were
willingness to learn (Mary Milne, 2017). few students in the class.
Listening plays a very important part in learning any For reading activity, firstly, students were divided into
language (Mary Milne, 2017). For listening activity, groups. Secondly, each paragraph was allocated to each
according to the result, most of students (85.4%) agree with group in order to read, explain and discuss with each other
that systematic practising with the help of language teacher within the time limit. Then, students from each group were
in the language lab is a more effective way for them. Thus, invited to explain and discuss with the class. The various
it is necessary to give the following guidelines for the question types were also asked. To answer these questions,
students. every student from each group participated and competed
Facing the speaker and maintaining eye contact with other groups. Moreover, students were given
Being attentive, but relaxed instructions to change the original sentences into another
Keeping on open mind sentence structures that must be similar to the meaning of
Listening to the songs original sentences from the passage. Finally, the won group
Listening to the words and try to picture what the was rewarded. These strategies and activities are more
speaker is saying effective than explaining and translating a passage only by
Systematic practising with audiovisual aids in a teacher. By using these strategies, a supportive pleasant
language lab classroom climate could be created to concentrate on
Although systematic practising with the help of reading activity and to achieve students’ learnable set of
skills.
language teacher in the language lab is more effective, it is For writing activity, students were given instruction to
inconvenient way in all times. So, students should also present a topic with the aim of brainstorming and eliciting
practise by themselves with tape, CD, phone and so on. their writing abilities within the time limit. Before
Effective listening ensures understanding and it helps presenting their ideas, students were given guidelines to
improve accuracy when speaking, among other things. write in an appropriate and logical writing style, present a
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