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st 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. 3 st 1 International Conference on Engineering Education and Innovation, December 13-14, 2018, Myanmar 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. 4 st 1 International Conference on Engineering Education and Innovation, December 13-14, 2018, Myanmar 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 5 st 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 6
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