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Summary:
Keeping a classroom on track is a daily challenge, but understanding key classroom management theories can make it a whole lot easier. From behaviorist strategies like clear rules and rewards to humanistic approaches that focus on building trust, each theory helps teachers create a positive learning environment. This blog breaks down four classroom management theories, how to apply them, plus tools like Hāpara that make it easier to implement the theories.
Helping teachers effectively manage their classrooms everyday is not easy, especially when there is a variety of learning types and social-emotional needs. Plus, on top of that, there are digital distractions that derail learning. Classroom management theories, which are based on research, are a great starting point for teachers to create a more productive classroom. Once teachers understand the frameworks and feel comfortable using them, they can blend the strategies and take what works best for their teaching style and their learners.
In this blog post, we’ll break down classroom management theories and how they can empower teachers to create positive learning environments. We’ll cover the background on each theory, ideas for applying the theories in classrooms and technology that helps.
The behaviorist classroom management approach
When people think of traditional discipline, it’s often the behaviorist approach. Behaviorist classroom management focuses on the idea that all behaviors are learned responses to the environment. If you change the environment, such as implementing consequences, you change the behavior.
The research of B.F. Skinner suggested that positive reinforcement increases good behavior, while negative reinforcement or punishment decreases unwanted behavior.
Application in the classroom
In a behaviorist model, consistency is important. Teachers should establish clear rules and immediate consequences.
- Reward systems: Sticker charts, token economies, or class points are examples of reward systems. When a learner raises their hand or completes work, for example, they get a reward.
- Consequences: If a learner disrupts the class, a consequence follows, like a verbal warning or a loss of privileges.
- Routine: Structured routines help learners know exactly what to expect, reducing anxiety and instances of acting out.
While it can be effective for establishing order, relying only on the behaviorist method has downsides. It can sometimes focus too much on adherence to rules rather than genuine learning or internal motivation. However, when used as part of a larger strategy, it provides a helpful structure in the classroom.
Application with Hāpara
Teachers can use technology to apply the behaviorist method. Hāpara Highlights, a browser monitoring tool for Google Chrome and Edge, can support routines and reinforce on-task behavior for digital learning. Overall, it helps teachers reinforce the expectation that class time is for learning.
Teachers can use Hāpara Highlights to gently redirect and provide a warning to learners who stray off-task from their class activities. For example, teachers can close learners’ off-task tabs and select a reason for closing a tab. Teachers can then follow up with a Chat message sent directly to the learner.
Teachers can also use Hāpara Highlights to guide learners’ browsing by limiting them to certain websites related to the lesson. For instance, during the first ten minutes of class, they can focus learners on a website for their daily warm-up. This consistency establishes a routine for the beginning of class and sets the tone for how to behave online.
Another tool, Hāpara Hall Pass, allows schools to establish clear rules and routines for student movement across the campus. The school team can see which students are outside of the classroom, their destination and time, and who is overdue to their destination or returning to the classroom.
Humanistic approach to classroom management
On the other end of the spectrum of theories is the humanistic approach to classroom management. This theory’s focus is internal growth rather than external growth. It argues that students are naturally eager to learn and will learn if their basic needs for safety, belonging and respect are met.
Theorists like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow were behind this theory. Many educators have heard of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This theory explains that if a learner is hungry or feels unsafe, they can’t focus on math or reading, for instance.
Application in the classroom
A humanistic classroom feels different than one just based on the behaviorist approach. It prioritizes the learner-teacher relationship.
- Building relationships: Teachers take time to know students personally, understanding their backgrounds and interests.
- Empathy and respect: Corrections are handled with empathy. Instead of asking “What is wrong with you?”, a humanistic teacher could ask, “What happened?”
- Emotional safety: The classroom is judgment-free and making mistakes is viewed as a part of the learning process.
This approach creates trust but requires more emotional energy from the teacher. The goal is character development alongside academic success.
Application with Hāpara
Humanistic classroom management works well with technology that personalizes learning. Hāpara Teacher Dashboard allows teachers to easily give personalized feedback directly on student Google Drive documents. This builds a stronger connection and shows learners that the teacher cares about their individual progress.
Hāpara Highlights helps teachers see exactly when a learner is struggling online or is stuck on an assignment. They can also send personalized feedback through the chat or announcement feature. Then if a learner needs additional personalized support, the teacher can share a link directly with the learner or set up an individual guided browsing session.
Cognitive classroom management theory
While behaviorism looks at actions and humanism looks at emotions, cognitive classroom management focuses on the mind. This theory is based on how learners process information, solve problems and regulate their own thinking.
Albert Bandura and Jean Piaget helped shape this theory. They emphasized that children are active participants in their own development. The goal is to help learners build self-control and understand the “why” behind their actions.
Application in the classroom
Teachers using this approach act more like coaches in the learning process.
- Metacognition: This is “thinking about thinking.” Teachers encourage learners to reflect on why they got distracted or how they solved a difficult problem.
- Problem-solving models: Instead of just giving the answer, teachers guide learners through strategies to find the answer themselves.
- Self-regulation: Learners are taught to monitor their own behavior. A teacher might ask, “Is what you are doing right now helping you achieve your goal?”
Application with Hāpara
In the digital learning environment, cognitive management relates to digital citizenship. Instead of blocking every single distracting website, teachers help learners manage their attention and make good decisions.
For example, with Hāpara Highlights, teachers can use the gradual release of responsibility strategy. This starts with teachers being transparent about what they can see in learners’ browsers and what responsible digital citizenship looks like.
Once that’s established, for learners who need more structure, teachers can set up guided browsing sessions focused on specific websites. Over time, they can open up structured browsing and allow learners more access online.
Democracy in a classroom
What happens when teachers share their power with learners? They create democracy in a classroom. Educational reformer John Dewey, a leader of this method, believed that schools should be democratic environments.
Application in the classroom
A democratic classroom isn’t a free-for-all. It is a community based on mutual respect and shared responsibility.
- Shared rule-making: At the start of the year, teachers and learners could co-create a classroom contract. When learners help write the rules, they’re likely to follow them.
- Collaborative decisions: Learners could vote on which book to read next or how to structure a project.
- Voice and choice: Learners feel heard when they are part of the decision-making. Their opinions matter, which increases engagement and reduces behavior issues.
Application with Hāpara
A democratic classroom needs collaboration. Teachers can use Hāpara to give learners collaborative input over their digital behavior guidelines.
Allow them to discuss what “respectful commenting” looks like on a shared Google Doc or what it looks like to stay on task during class activities on their devices.
Teachers can also use Hāpara Workspace for collaborative projects and to create opportunities for student voice and choice.
Integrating theories of classroom management
Which of the theories of classroom management is best? Effective teachers don’t stick to just one. Blending multiple theories supports a variety of learners and changing needs in the classroom throughout the day or school year.
Here is what it could look like to blend theories during one school day:
- Use a behaviorist routine to get learners settled quickly at the bell and work on a warm-up activity.
- Use a democratic approach to let the class vote on an individual or group activity.
- Use a humanistic approach to help a learner connect personally to a topic in the activity.
- During the activity, use cognitive strategies to help a learner think through a problem.
By blending classroom management theories, teachers in your school can create an environment that supports learning, well-being and growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are classroom management theories?
Classroom management theories are research-based frameworks that help teachers create productive and positive learning environments.
How does the behaviorist classroom management approach work?
The behaviorist approach focuses on using routines, rewards and consequences to encourage good behavior and reduce disruptions in the classroom.
What is the humanistic approach to classroom management?
The humanistic approach prioritizes students’ emotional well-being, focusing on building trust and a sense of belonging to support learning.
What is cognitive classroom management?
Cognitive classroom management helps learners develop self-regulation and problem-solving skills by encouraging them to reflect on their actions and decisions.
How can democracy in a classroom improve learning?
Democracy in a classroom gives learners a voice in decision-making, developing a shared responsibility for the learning environment and deeper engagement.
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