Classroom Environment Guide
Hello all! My name is Adlai Metzger and I am currently a senior attending West Chester University in Pennsylvania. After learning about the various domains within the typical classroom, I created this website to share my personal teaching philosophy while taking themes from various classroom management theorists. Some of the main themes I drew upon included positive reinforcement, group alerting, and student responsibility. Skinner explored the concept of the teacher immediately praising the student when the student performs a desired behavior which would encourage the student to continue that behavior. Positive reinforcement helps create a well functioning classroom community where the students follow the set rules and procedures of
the classroom. Group alerting was coined by Jacob Kounin and refers to when teachers gain the students' full attention before giving directions to the class or making explanations about a topic or subject. This ensures the students will be engaged while the teacher is giving instructions so they will not be confused about what is expected of them. Student responsibility is also an imperative part of the classroom community so students feel important and valuable in their environment. They have a say in what goes on in their classroom and in turn create a sense of belonging within the student. I remember being in elementary school and feeling so important because every morning we were able to take turns being responsible for reporting the weather, changing the calendar, and rewriting the white board. I felt included and always was excited to present in front of my peers. Alfie Kohn exemplifies this effort as he emphasized developing a classroom environment in which students are able to pursue various topics of interest in depth. This gives the student the freedom and responsibility to choose their own path of instruction. I hope to incorporate all of these themes into my own classroom one day as I believe they help nurture a positive classroom and learning environment.