Introduction
With advanced technology that is always changing, every student feels more comfortable in a modernized classroom setup. It has come to the concern of many learning institution management that in addition to equipping the class room with research facilities, modernizing the design makes it attractive and can reduce intake problems ensuring not only high intake levels but also high quality students are willing to join that school. However, when designing a classroom there are fundamental characteristics that should be taken into consideration before modernizing it.
Plan description
The room is spacious and set up in away to increase the freedom of movement as well as ventilation. The positioning of the teachers table is made in a way every student can see him. With the projector set up in the middle of the front classroom wall and those students seated at their sides being tilted a little to enable a parallel view of whatever is projected as well as the instructor’s movements that increases the lectures efficiency.
If the class contained normal students that are with the same understanding as well as not being disabled then the arrangement would be made on the basis of interest with any conflicting interest being solved through a consensus. However if there are students with specials needs like in our case their placement is done first and the rest occupy the remaining positions. The three students with learning disabilities are placed at the fore front desk. Their contact with the instructor should high and this enables the instructor to offer any special attention that is needed. The other category of students with typical behavior problems need a lot of attention and strict monitoring by the instructor. They are also placed in the front desk, but separated from those with learning disabilities. Separation of these students could reduce their queer behavior but there is a large probability of influencing others so we decide to place them together in the front desk.
Having limited English proficiency requires high teacher contact but since they cannot be accommodated in the front desk we distribute them in the second desk as shown by the numbers 1- 4. To improve the understanding of these four students, they are not placed together but close to other fast learning students to enhance consultations during and after lectures.
Communicating expectations
Classroom rule are effective when they are carefully structured and developed the procedure for developing effective classroom rules are;
Developing classroom rules
The teacher and the students should communicate verbally and also in writing so as to get fair expectations. This involves creating a number of positive rules t6hat are clear, precise and specific. Proper development of rules must involve the opinions of students since they are the ones to observe them. Students should be allowed to contribute to the rules. This is effective since students get to be more aware of the rules and this can enhance the application if the same.
Ensure that the rules are fair and that the students can easily follow them. This is because there are some rules that will always give students a hard time since they are hard to implement as such, many students will always be on the wrong side of the rules.
Develop procedures that occur regularly. A teacher should develop a list of activities that occur regularly and thus develop a list of rules pertaining to their execution. The students will have an easy time applying rules since they are used to such activities. In essence, practices such are handing in homework, arrival, noise in class should be easily applied since they are necessary even, without a drafted copy of the rules.
The teacher should assist the students in implementing the rules. Students might have a hard time in implementing new rules thus a teacher can assist them in their observation. This entails regular correction in case the students stray in application of these rules. Regular correction will make the students aware of the importance of the rules and the consequences of not abiding by them.
In developing rules, a system of rewards and the consequences of not abiding should be included. The students who successfully apply the rules should be rewarded to motivate others to do the same. Reasonable punishment should be included to discourage the students from violating the rules. Moreover, fairness in application of the rules should be embraced.
After all the procedures above, the teacher is supposed to make a printout of the rules and post them on the class notice board for regular reference.
A list of classroom rules
Students should arrive and settle down 5 minutes before the lesson begin
Students are supposed to observe silence when in class
Maintain peace and positive relationship in class
Prepare all the learning necessities before classes start
Be self-driven in implementing the assigned duties like cleaning.
Procedures for teaching rule following.
All the students are required to be attentive and participate in learning activities
The students are supposed to submit assignments as scheduled
No talking or noisemaking when the teacher is teaching
A severe ‘punishment for violators should be enforced
Catching students following the rules
Ensure that the students support the rules to a reasonable level. This will make implementation an easy task.
The teachers should motivate them and explain the importance of abiding by the rules in their academic life.
Full implementation should take some time so that the students can see the importance of following the rules.
