Behavior management!

 

Professional training is vital to helping staff organize their thinking about problematic behaviors, and to developing proactive skills that focus on prevention and respect. Here are six safe and effective behavior management strategies for remaining calm and professional during challenging situations.

1.      Be Mindful of Your Own Reaction.
A vital component of managing difficult behavior is knowing that your behavior affects the behavior of others. What you say or do in response to an individual’s behavior affects whether the behavior escalates or stops. When you’re aware of this factor, and when you’re equipped and empowered with other effective and respectful behavior management strategies, you’re better able to de-escalate difficult behavior and help individuals regain control and make positive choices.

2.      Maintain Rational Detachment.
When you’re rationally detached, you maintain control by not taking negative comments or actions personally. Without this key ability, team members may react instinctively or defensively, which will only escalate a situation. Equipped with this skill, you’re better able to defuse challenging behavior and encourage positive behavior.

3.      Be Attentive.
When people feel ignored, marginalized, or not cared for, they often act out. An effective way to counter a person’s anxiety is to validate her feelings. Pay attention to what she says. Give her plenty of personal space. Show her through your facial expressions and body language that you’re listening, and you can take away her reasons for being upset—and give her a reason to regain control.

4.      Use Positive Self-Talk.
Remind yourself that when you’re the target of an outburst or a negative situation, you’re rarely the cause of the behavior. And just as thinking, "I can't deal with this" might cause you to react one way, telling yourself, "I know what to do" will cause a more productive response.

5.      Recognize Your Limits.
Being a professional doesn't mean that you can handle everything. Knowing that you have support and backup is crucial to staying in control of your own behavior and responding appropriately. Accept your limits and keep in mind that sometimes the best decision is to let someone else take over.

6.      Debrief.
Be sure to debrief after any incident. Talking about it can help relieve the stress. It’s also important to consider what was done well and how to respond better the next time a situation occurs

 

Online Classroom Management

 Classroom management can be one of the hardest parts of teaching. It is one of teachers’ top professional development needs, as all the education classes in the world don’t prepare you to wrangle dozens of kiddos who all have their own ideas of what it means to be quiet. Any veteran teacher can attest to the importance of establishing routines early and following through all year long.Here are some ideas to manage your virtual classroom.

 

Put Distractions Away

It is important to make the virtual classroom look, sound, and feel as much like an in-person classroom as possible. One key tactic to make this happen is to have students put away phones, toys, and other distractions. This may also include staying away from siblings and pets, at least as much as possible during class time! This is of course not always doable, especially when tech access or physical space is limited. And it doesn't have to be all of the time! Remind students that there are instances where it is appropriate to show off their pets, for example, but you will let them know. If needed, have conversations with family members to make sure they understand your desires. And practice grace when dogs, cats, and children make webcam cameos. Your student might not be able to control it!
 

Treat the Webcam Like a Person
It is so easy to turn off the webcam, mute yourself, and completely disengage. This is a dangerous recipe that can result in students ignoring or even dreading school. Remind students that everyone else is in the same position: sitting in front of a computer trying to be a part of the class. You’re doing it too, as the teacher! Show them what proper eye contact looks like through a webcam, and practice it when you talk to them. Encourage them to smile, respect each other, and talk politely. There is a lesson in digital citizenship here. Even when your only window into a person is through the internet, that person is still very much a person with feelings and goals, just like you!

 Have a Dress Code

The dress code does not need to be fancy! It can be as simple as “always wear a shirt and pants, and no pajamas.” One key to helping a virtual classroom feel a little more like an in-person classroom is to have students get dressed for it the same way they would get dressed to go to school. What you don’t want is students propping a laptop on their bed, staying in their pajamas with the covers up, and making the virtual classroom feel like another YouTube video. Ask students to get up a little bit earlier, get dressed for school, and prepare for the day ahead.
 

Address Discipline Issues Fast
Discipline issues take on a new urgency when the class is remote. Your verbal and physical cues are limited. One disruptive student can make teaching the rest of the class impossible, and it is harder to enlist help from other teachers. Deal with discipline issues as soon as they come up without any exceptions. However, the extra urgency does not mean you have to be extra harsh. No matter the disruption, model a positive attitude and respect for the rest of the class. When a behind-the-scenes intervention is needed—for example, an email to a student or family member—discipline sparingly to maximize impact.

Advantages of technology during the class

 

 

Technology tools present universal tools that enable teachers to educate all types of students, including those who are struggling or have special needs, These include voice recognition, text-to-speech converter, translator, volume control, word prediction software & other assistive technologies, There are many resources for education & making learning more fun & effective, There are many apps, e-textbooks & organizational platforms.

Technology helps the students make the task of learning easier & allow for the product creation that would once have been impossible, Students had to venture to the library & sort through stacks of books to find the information, With the aid of technology, they can gather the information almost instantly, Because the Internet allows students to gather the information more rapidly, and teachers can commonly squeeze more learning into their lessons.

Incorporating technology into the classroom helps the students to access to different ways of learning, they’ll explore & try different techniques, Students can make modifications digitally, adding sections, correcting spelling, or moving the elements of the paper by using technology, They can edit more efficiently & saves time.

Teachers are able to enhance their lessons with technology, Instead of relying only on the textbook, teachers can use technology tools to present movies or audio recordings, locate & print out related articles or create slideshow presentations to accompany lessons, As technology makes supplementary material easier to gather & use, Teachers can offer educationally-rich supplementary materials to their students.

 

Technology helps students with special needs to thrive in academic settings, They can use adaptive word processor apps & programs that speak for children who struggle with language, Educational technology allows students to communicate and be involved with their teachers & classmates, Technology in the classroom is not meant to replace the teacher, the idea is to create a flexible learning environment that breeds innovation.

Educational technology allows students to communicate with others across the globe, Through email, chat rooms, discussion boards & other digital communication methods, students can exchange ideas & information with others, Technology tools allow for the development of an extensive community of learners all working towards the accomplishment of the same goal.

Using technology in the classroom allows for more active learning, you can increase engagement through online polling or asking quiz questions during lectures, Technology tools in the classroom help ensure full participation, Online polling & the other tools help to engage all students, Online engagement systems allow you to regularly check in with students for feedback on course materials & assignments.

 

 

Technology tools for teaching grammar!

 

To say teaching is a difficult job is an understatement. To say teaching grammar is difficult is a statement on a whole new level.

With all of the tricky details and nuances contained within grammar, it’s no easy undertaking. And, trying to learn can be frustrating and hard to fully understand for students.If a student becomes frustrated because they don’t understand a lesson or because it’s too boring for them, their overall learning experience deteriorates.

Injecting a little fun and interaction into the lesson can make all the difference in how the lesson is taught by the teacher and received by the student. Make the entire process easier, more enjoyable and better received by students with the help of these 5  apps to supplement your grammar lessons.

1.QUILL

Send your students to Quill to have fun with free grammar and writing activities. Students can get instant feedback and explanations on sentence structure, fragment and run-on sentences so they can both correct and understand the grammatical rules they’re following. On the teacher-end of Quill, you’ll get a diagnostic summary detailing the areas in which each student should focus more of their learning.

2.GRAMMAR WONDERLAND

Grammar lessons don’t need to be boring and bland. Put a little bit of fun back into learning with this adventure-based app. Grammar Wonderland takes students through the wonderful world of verbs, nouns and adjectives as they travel through the different areas of this virtual world.

 

3.STUDENT INTERACTIVES

There’s so much to do at Student Interactive! Online literacy learning is turned into an engaging experience as students get a better grasp on language, while having fun. Who said learning grammar was boring? Certainly no one who’s had the opportunity to try out Student Interactives.

4.GRAMMAR FUN

The child-friendly interface of this app gives kids the opportunity to get a grammar lesson through fun, interactive play. Students may also stay more engaged and retain more of what they’re learning when they’re having fun, making your lessons and activities more impactful with this app.

5.GRAMMAR POP

Make your way through 28 levels of sentences with this new and interactive word game from the award-winning Grammar Girl. Depending on level of understanding, students can keep it to the basics or move on to more advanced challenges.

 

 

 

Technology tools in lesson planning!

 

Technology has revolutionized the way humans interact and connect with each other, and modern classrooms, homes, and offices are drastically different from how they were just 20 or 30 years ago. Students today need to prepare for a workplace more exposed than ever to social media, television, video games, and other technological advancements. By bringing technology into the classroom, teachers help prepare students to handle the professional world of the future.

Some ways teachers can leverage the Internet and other technologies to enhance classroom learning!

When using the Internet, teachers and their students have the opportunity to access seemingly limitless information. School projects are no longer confined to the reach of textbooks within their local libraries. Students can use Google to learn more about topics in far less time. Teachers can use the information students have at their fingertips to challenge them and encourage them to delve deeper into subjects and master the information.

Modern language skills are extremely valuable in the professional world. Allowing students to communicate with native speakers of that language is just one of the uses of technology in education. Students are able to hear the language, practice speaking skills, and enhance their overall understanding.

Students enjoy finding meaning to their work. While in the past they could create reports and projects that would be viewed only by their teacher and fellow students, their work can now be easily displayed online. They can create materials to be used by other students and get feedback on their ideas from students in other schools all over the world. This will help students take pride in their work and find meaning in their assignments.

 

Here are some tools that we can use during the lesson!

Audio

Use audio to provide feedback, add narration to a PowerPoint or Keynote presentation, image or b-roll, or an expert interview. Use audio to humanize an asynchronous discussion.

Blogs & Wikis

Blogs typically are an individual space for publishing content, allowing users to comment, and facilitating reflection. Wikis typically are a collaborative space where content can be added, edited, and removed. They are good for building a shared resource.

Video

Use webcam and lecture capture tools such as Panopto. Try Cintiq for drawing and writing. Use web conferencing for lecturing, office hours, or student group work.

 

 Padlet

 

It enables to create a blended learning environment which, through the intentional use of technology, would be a place where all student voices would be heard. Padlet is a great tool to encourage student communication and collaboration, and is used in my classroom at least on a weekly basis. Teachers can use a collaborative tool like Padlet as a bellringer activity, a backchannel for class discussions, a review or research activity, or to introduce themselves to students from around the world!

 

 

Theory of Multiple Intelligences!

 

The theory of multiple intelligences (MI) was first advanced by Dr, Howard Gardner, Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and adjunct professor of psychology at Harvard University,  in his 1983 book Frames of mind.

Challenging the traditional concept intelligence, the theory of multiple intelligences suggest that each individual has eight different types of intelligences. These intelligences combine to form any individual’s specific cognitive potential. 

 

 According to Dr.Gardner we all possess eight different types of intelligences.

 

1.     Verbal-linguistic intelligence, “word smart”.

2.     Logical-mathematical intelligence, “maths smart”.

3.     Visual-spatial intelligence, “picture smart”.

4.      Musical intelligence, “music smart”.

5.     Naturalistic intelligence, “nature smart”.

6.     Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, “body smart”

7.      Interpersonal intelligence, “people smart”.

8.     Intrapersonal intelligence, “self smart”.

 

These intelligences, although separate, work together, in an infinite number of combinations, in each of our learning experiences.

What effect does this have in learning and education?

many people will tell you that someone is intelligent when they are good at maths, or science, or when they are articulate or speak several languages.

Although educational practices and theory are in constant evolution, our culture and many school systems still have a tendency to value linguistic and logical-mathematical abilities over others. An important part of the learning is geared towards developing those areas, or presented in a way that resonates more to and relies in greater part on the abilities of a linguistic/ logical-mathematical mind.

As a result of this, children who have a more dominantly linguistic/ logical-mathematical mind tend to do better in most traditional school systems, having their abilities being reinforced and having learning experiences that resonate with how they specifically process information. At the same time, children who show other sets of strengths, often for example related to the arts, receive much less reinforcement of their skills and  a learning experience that does not always resonate with or allow them to use their abilities.   

  By applying the theory of multiple intelligences in the classroom, educators take into consideration the different types of learners they might have in their class, reinforce all types of intelligences in every student, and allow for an individual learning process that will ultimately enable each learner to utilise his or her specific abilities and demonstrate learning.

Presenting topics using the theory of  multiple intelligences, that is using different pathways and tools to study information, can have a very positive effect on our students’ learning experience. Incorporating for example, role play, collaborative work, picture puzzles or field trips allows for a learning experience that will not only allow different types of learners to learn but will enrich every individual’s understanding of the topic.

Cooperative Learning !

 

 Cooperative Learning!

Cooperative learning is the process of breaking a classroom of students into small groups so they can discover a new concept together and help each other learn. The idea of cooperative learning has been around for decades, but it never got to the same prominence as blended learning or differentiated instruction.

Cooperative learning is based on group work, but it’s also so much more than that.The core element of cooperative learning is to showcase the positive effects of interdependence while underlining the importance of personal responsibility.

This happens naturally in cooperative learning since students work with one another, but they all have a different task to accomplish or concept to explain.As a bonus, your students are being social while they’re working in cooperative learning. That could be an advantage or disadvantage for you, depending on the class.

According to David Johnson and Roger Johnson (1999), there are five basic elements that allow successful small-group learning:

·         Positive interdependence: Students feel responsible for their own and the group's effort.

·         Face-to-face interaction: Students encourage and support one another; the environment encourages discussion and eye contact.

·         Individual and group accountability: Each student is responsible for doing their part; the group is accountable for meeting its goal.

·         Group behaviors: Group members gain direct instruction in the interpersonal, social, and collaborative skills needed to work with others occurs.

·         Group processing: Group members analyze their own and the group's ability to work together.

Cooperative learning changes students' and teachers' roles in classrooms. The ownership of teaching and learning is shared by groups of students, and is no longer the sole responsibility of the teacher. The authority of setting goals, assessing learning, and facilitating learning is shared by all. Students have more opportunities to actively participate in their learning, question and challenge each other, share and discuss their ideas, and internalize their learning. Along with improving academic learning, cooperative learning helps students engage in thoughtful discourse and examine different perspectives, and it has been proven to increase students' self-esteem, motivation,and empathy.

Some challenges of using cooperative learning include releasing the control of learning, managing noise levels, resolving conflicts, and assessing student learning. Carefully structured activities can help students learn the skills to work together successfully, and structured discussion and reflection on group process can help avoid some problems.