Some Simple and yet Overlooked Common Sense Tips
for a More Effective Classroom Environment A Summary
Joseph S.C. Simplicio in this article depicts a few of the most easy and yet important “tips” to follow as current or future teachers, in order to establish as well as maintain a good, solid and (in terms of the process between teaching and learning) an effective classroom environment. The article is an easy guide to follow as it offers a simple language and specified “tips” to help us create the type of class or class planning that will be most suitable not only for the teacher but most of all our students. All of us need to bear in mind that as the author states, we are the “role models” of our students and that we need to set positive and impervious examples, therefore with “balance” that we will establish with the guidelines offered in this article we will come to acknowledge that like the main focus that it states right in the beginning, as good future teachers we must follow these “tips” as well as see them more like strategies into our goals as the role of the educator.
Simplicio states some argues within scholars over the fact that these “tips” or “strategies” are best learned by teacher training, funding, technology use, smaller classes, etc. Which is it? We know in the end keeping in mind that these are merely tools and exercises into the assessment process and it is through any means (as well as the ones argued by scholars) that we achieve our own learning procees to teach effectively.
One by one he denotes the basis of the following “tips”
Tip Number One: Know Your Students' Names
• This is the base to creating an effective learning environment.
• It conveys a powerful message to the student.
• Breaking the boundaries between student and teacher.
• Key exercises and ideas towards learning their names.
Tip Number Two: Utilize Cooperative Group Work Correctly
• It can be an effective teaching methodology.
• Beware of the mistakes by planning well.
Mistake Number One
• Group planning (The size of the group)
• Do not divide the work or task by the amount of students in the classroom.
• Three students per group is the best planning.
Mistake Number Two
• “Which students will work best together?” WRONG!
• Random grouping leads to trouble.
• Teachers should first identify the students qualities and talents and/or needs as well as learning styles.
• Teachers should truly acknowledge how is it that their students will learn best.
• Identify the approaches and Interpersonal or Intrapersonal skills of the students.
Mistake Number Three
• *While preparing task assignment.
• Think of what is it you would like for the students to learn from this task.
Tip Number Three: Understand the True Purposes of Testing
• “What are tests for?” To evaluate how and by what means the students has learned.
• It should no be seen as the end of a teaching plan but an extension to the learning process.
• Ask questions while discussing the test to further the process.
• Reevaluate.
A Final Thought
• Denoting the ideas directed between experienced educators and new.
• Experienced teachers should revisit these ideas.
• For new teachers they should use these as guides to design their classes.
The author’s main objective or purpose in the articles is to offer both experienced and new educator with the basics “tips” and commonly made mistakes by teachers in order to follow and/or correct them in their paths as re-establishing also becoming good teachers. The article provide a great purpose, simply to be good at what we teach by keeping in mind that we must create well sought and planned, fool proof classes; that we must by all means think of the student first for the reason that it is them that matter in the process we are to carry as educators.
The attitude we must posses in order to apply this article to education is like the author states: “Today, more than ever, the classroom teacher is seen as the primary facilitator for student success.” Therefore we must use articles and the tools provided as teachers in order to master and fulfill the role as the educator. It is through tools like these that we must incorporate into the assessment process.
While researching for this article and the analysis I found that it fit perfectly into the beginning of our discussions so far. This article states the key initial ideas that we must all know and/ or come to terms with in order to create an effective classroom environment. It also presents some simple strategies that go hand in hand with the text we are currently discussing. The way I saw it is an introduction to the many strategies, observations and key factors we must all be acquainted with while beginning and furthering our career as future educators.
Bibliography/Source
Simplicio, Joseph S.C. Some Simple and yet Overlooked Common Sense Tips
for a More Effective Classroom Environment. Journal of Instructional
Psychology 26 (1999): 111-5.
You are entering the literature- based realm of Keyla Sepulveda, an English Literature and Educaction Major with aspirations of soon becoming an English Professor. Literally Speaking is a blog based on sharing everything related to English Literature and ESL Studies.... Poetry, Essays, Education and other works as well as the insights and ideologies of other English and ESL Studies majors.