Classroom Management Strategies Adopted By the School Teachers

Abstract

The major objective of this study was to identify the classroom management strategies applied by the school teachers to create an effective and conducive teaching-learning environment. Based on a survey research design framework, sample of 36 teachers were randomly selected from the Post Graduate Diploma in Education Programme batch of 2010/2011 of the Open University of Sri Lanka. Apart from direct observation of their classroom teaching based on a piloted observation schedule, a focus group discussion were also executed to collect relevant data which were later analysed using simple descriptive data analysis methods. The study revealed that (a) the teachers were aware of and used different strategies to manage their classrooms; (b) they adopted contingency approach to address their classroom managerial issues and problems; (c) primary teachers showed better competencies than their secondary level counterparts in managing their classroom; and (d) most of them maintained the physical environment of the classroom satisfactorily. It also transpired from this study that quite a number of teachers tend to ignore students’ behavioural problems in their classroom management.