Educ 5240 Creating Positive Classroom Environments

EDUC 5240: Creating Positive Classroom Environments

Course Description:

This course will focus on the role of classroom organization and behavior management in developing positive teaching and learning environments. The impact of the physical environment, transitions, procedures, norms and expectations on managing behavior will be discussed. Developing communication and social skills and fostering a collaborative relationship between the teacher and students will be examined. Alternative approaches to managing routine and disruptive discipline problems while also creating learning spaces where students are willing to take risks and learn from mistakes will be considered.

Required Textbook and Materials:

The main required textbooks for this course are listed below, and can be readily accessed using the provided links. There may be additional required/recommended readings, supplemental materials, or other resources and websites necessary for lessons; these will be provided for you in the course’s General Information and Forums area, and throughout the term via the weekly course Unit areas and the Learning Guides.

This course does not contain a main textbook; resources to all required reading will be provided in the course Learning Guide for each week.

Software Requirements/Installation:

No special requirements.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Assess the importance of creating positive classroom environments.
2. Examine different options in regards to behavior management.
3. Correlate classroom organization to student behavior.
4. Analyze methods and best practices for improving student/teacher rapport and communication.
5. Brainstorm and propose practices that can be applied in real-life classroom settings.

Course Schedule and Topics:

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week.

Week 1: Unit 1 – Elements of Classroom Management & The Positive Classroom

Week 2: Unit 2 – Models of Discipline

Week 3: Unit 3 – Creating & Implementing Rules & Procedures

Week 4: Unit 4 – Using Your Physical Space

Week 5: Unit 5 – Discipline Challenges

Week 6: Unit 6 – Creating and Upholding Student Expectations

Week 7: Unit 7 – Communication, Collaboration, & Rapport

Week 8: Unit 8 – Diversity Issues in the Classroom