When it comes to teaching well, it’s important to make sure that students feel safe, like they’re known, and want to learn. As the teacher, a big part of making this kind of learning setting depends on how well you can keep your classroom under control. So, classroom control comes into play. How you run your classroom has a direct effect on how good a teacher you are. But how do you know which method is best for you and your students? Let’s look at the four different ways to run a classroom and how each one affects how the students do. Let us explore classroom management style in our blog.
Types of classroom management styles
Authoritarian Classroom Management Style
A teacher with an authoritarian style is one who is in charge of everything in the classroom. Authoritarian teachers make a learning environment that is very structured and puts a lot of stress on the rules. They expect their students to do what they say and won’t put up with bad behavior in the classroom. If kids don’t act the way they should, they are punished harshly, no matter what their situation is.
A teacher with an authoritarian style is one who is in charge of everything in the classroom. Authoritarian teachers make a learning environment that is very structured and puts a lot of stress on the rules. They expect their students to do what they say and won’t put up with bad behavior in the classroom. If kids don’t act the way they should, they are punished harshly, no matter what their situation is.
Teachers with an authoritarian style don’t encourage students to work together or participate in class talks. This often leads to a bad classroom culture and a dull learning environment.
- The focus is on submission.
- The rules must always be followed.
- If you break the rules, there are things that will happen.
Authoritative Classroom Management
Even though their names sound alike, authoritative teachers and strict teachers are very different. Teachers who run their classes in an authoritative way have a lot of control over their schools, just like teachers who are too strict. But, unlike strict teachers, they also get a lot of help from their students.
Teachers who are in charge are strict, but also fair. They make rules and stick to them, but they also value what their kids have to say. If a student has feedback about the rules of the class or ideas for how to make the learning setting better, the teacher will gladly listen and make changes as they see fit.
This kind of teacher wants students to take part, work together, and follow the rules. A teacher with a lot of power will encourage students to talk and work together, but they will also be clear about what is expected of them before sending them off on their own. The dominant teaching style encourages independence and a strong sense of responsibility by giving students both rules and the freedom to take charge of their own learning.
When setting standards and coming up with fair punishments for breaking rules, teachers with authority take into account each student’s unique situation.
- Rules are kept by people who can be trusted.
- Everyone who has to deal with the rules knows why they are the way they are.
- When people break the rules, they have to pay for it.
Permissive Classroom Management Style
Teachers who are forceful are the exact opposite of teachers who are permissive. Their students don’t do much in class, and they don’t have much power over what goes on in the classroom. Teachers who let students do what they want are very much out of the picture. They don’t plan their lessons or activities ahead of time. Instead, they often “wing it” and spend a lot of time watching movies and doing homework.
Teachers who are too lenient don’t set rules or punish bad behavior. Students have too much freedom, which makes school a chaotic and useless place to learn.
Teachers who are too permissive have lost interest in teaching, so they don’t care about how well their students do. They don’t talk to kids much and rarely pay attention to what they need.
People often think that permissive punishment is soft or indulgent. Adults usually don’t get involved. Adults who use this method sometimes put friendship ahead of punishment.
- Not following the rules.
- Bad behavior is rarely dealt with.
- Children aren’t being watched.
Indulgent Classroom Management Style
The same way that soft teachers have little control over their classroom, so do teachers who are too easy on their students. Teachers who are too nice often believe that highly structured classes are bad for their students’ personal growth and sense of self-worth. Because of this, they give students full freedom to say what they want and make their own choices. Most of the time, this gives the kids too much freedom.
They do plan lessons every day, but because they don’t have enough power or authority, their students often get them off track, and it’s hard for them to get back on track. This makes the classroom a bad place where people don’t learn much.
Teachers who are more involved with their children are more likely to be indulgent. Even though they care about their kids and what is going on in their lives, they tend to be too nice.
Conclusion
When choosing which of the four styles to manage a classroom is best for you, think about how well it fits with your teaching philosophy and goals. Here are a few questions to help you think about what to do:
- As a teacher, what are your goals?
- What makes you want to help students?
- How do you want your kids to see you?
- What happens in a good setting for learning?
- Where do you want your kids to be at the end of the year academically, socially, and emotionally?
If you’re a new teacher, it’s okay to take some time to figure things out. I think you should start with student scores. Where do you want your kids to be when the school year is over? What should they know and be able to do that they didn’t know or couldn’t do when they first came to you?
Make a plan for each month and set smaller goals along the way. Look at how much work it took to get them there. Once you’ve made that choice, you’ll be able to see more of your style.