Compulsory Education Essay Example for Free

Compulsory Education Essay There are many forms of research for compulsory education. When I started to dig for Information, I was quite amazed in how far back it actually goes. It may have been a little different then, but the concept behind it were and still are the same. With that, you will see multiple questions that need to be answered. What function does compulsory education serve in the United States, what are the advantages and disadvantages to compulsory education, and how can we make school better for todays young learners? Compulsory education is the attendance required by all students. In reading, michaeladuffy’s research, I understand what he is trying to say in more clarity. How does it affect our children? He states, â€Å"As I continue to ask questions about why we have CE in the United States the answer most often I receive is that it increases literacy. † He brings us back by saying, â€Å"I am often told of the condition of the youth in the eighteenth century where children ran rampant in the streets and committed all sorts of crimes and vandalism. † Is it at this time we started to think about the youth’s education? During those times of hardship they still managed to keep a literacy rate of ninety percent. Through hard work and learning, at the same time, they managed to raise the rate to ninety-eight percent by 1852. By upping the literacy rate, in the United States, we see a great improvement in our children. â€Å"In fact the high literacy rate one hundred years before compulsory education was primarily due to the focus of Bible reading that spread throughout Europe and the new world. Perhaps it was a Biblical interest that accounted for black literacy in the south which was around eighty percent before CE came into effect† (Zhang 29). Michaeladuffy also points out that there are troubling times in our schools to the extent of dropouts and absenteeism. By reading his one paragraph on, â€Å"why children would miss class† (par 4) he lists five reasons they would. It ranges from being an obese child all the way to having poor eyes sight and not wanting to ask question for the fear of being teased. I can see why this is. Children these days will drop out if they are not treated correct. When kids are picked on their insecurity level falls at an all time low. The only option they have left is to not go to school and live with themselves. During my research the answer was never there. It is ones interpretation of the compulsory education and how it serves in the United States. In the early years of a child they continue to have more of independence for learning to develop each of their demands. Decades ago children opted not go to school, but instead work with their families and that is how they survived on such a low income. Compulsory education levels that bar for the unfortunate families who cannot afford it. With compulsory education more people have access to education, now whether they choose to use it is up to them. The one main disadvantage, I think every one might agree with me, is that the government dictates the age for the grade and what the kids are suppose to be doing. In other words they are forced into it. Are children ready for the grade they are in or going to be in? No, they’re probably not. Not one child is the same in learning. In order for our children to be ready for society interaction, activities are needed. How can we make school better for todays young learners? Children’s intellectual growth, in their early years, are constantly growing. Learning new things everyday whether in school or in the social environment. They are more aware of the world they live in through the use of technology. Technology, for children these days, is one of the most important learning tools we have. The child’s learning ability is acquired through countless ways. Some examples may include, but not limited to are; questioning techniques, investigating and interaction with one another. Children are creative and have an eagerness to learn. Emphasizing on their curiosity, their creativeness shows by the use of technology. Providing them with opportunities to use their creative nature we can see a vast improvement in problem solving and thinking of solutions to problems based on their age. Having that teacher to student interaction will vastly help them in the social skills they need to better acquaint themselves with the world they will soon be leaving to. Not one child is alike. By finding what works, the child can receive the proper curriculum. Paul Goodman proposes two countermeasures in this situation. They are good ones at that, but with that said one particular really stuck out amongst the other. By abolishing grading and strictly going on the fact of the teachers knowledge and know how, I believe we can see a great improvement in students’ knowledge. Its because of the grading criteria, we struggle in some subjects. If we drop the grading and base it on experience of life and work, there will be more students eager to learn and striving for that education. Just picture yourself taking a test, you studied day and night for it, but yet you still failed it. Now picture yourself taking the same test with life experience and work experience, it comes to you a little easier. Knowing that the grade you were going to get is not there lingering on your mind. Who do think is going to feel better about themselves after the test is done? Because of the grading system our fear of failing has kicked in. It shows that in life experience over a degree can be beneficial in some areas of expertise. With that being said, I do agree with the two year of maturing before entering school. You never know what experience you will receive in the world. In concluding my research of what functions does compulsory education have in the United States, we see that it is a tricky question. It does have a purpose but its purpose is still unclear to some, including me. We see the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of compulsory education. There are many things we can do to help our young ones to enjoy schooling. From the time of the eighteenth century, we have been striving to educate the younger children and make learning enjoyable. Hartman 5 References: * michaeladuffy. wordpress. com/2012/07/02 Date of access Aug 20 2012 * bestvolunteer. org †º More News †º Other News Date of access Aug 20 2012 * https://www. det. nsw. edu. au/ /Our_young_learners Date of access Aug 20 2012 * http://voices. yahoo. com/our-fundamental-future-eliminating-compulsory-education-5570. html Date of access 22 Aug 2012 8:47pm * Does School Time Matter? On the Impact of Compulsory Education Age on School Dropout Cabus, Sofie J. ; De Witte, Kristof Economics of Education Review, v30 n6 p1384-1398 Dec 2011. 15 pp. ISSN: 0272-7757 Date of access 22 Aug 2012.

Pros and Cons of Computer Technology :: Computers

Pros and Cons of Computer Technology In the last couple of decades, compute technology has expanded enormously and has become part of our daily lives. Many of us use computers at work, school and even at home. We are at the point where we can not return to our old lifestyles because we have accustomed ourselves to an easier way of life through computers. There are many advantages to working with computers as well as disadvantages. The implementation of computers in our society has helped facilitate our lives. Computers can help us create and edit documents very easily and can help us speed up work. It is now easier to communicate and send documents through computers at the push of a button. The Internet and E-mail services are just two examples of many features that computers can offer. There are many benefits that technology can offer but not everyone has the sufficient background or training required. Computer literacy is a demand in today's work force and is mostly affecting the older generation. The older generation is at a disadvantage compared to the younger generation that is already being exposed to computers at school. Computer skills are a major issue and will force the older generation to return to school for training. The older generation will have to live with this drastic change and will be forced to adapt to our technology otherwise they will be left behind. Many people feel that computers have eliminated thousands of jobs. For example, in the "Interview with the Luddite", Kirkpatrick Sale states, "We have an estimated 6 million people who have lost their jobs to automation, or overseas shops, since 1988". Kevin Kelly on the other hand disagrees with Kirkpatrick Sale and states, " It's leading them to study coputers and to learn how to get a job with computers". "The number of jobs created by computers and technology is rally more sizable". I agree with Kevin Kelly on the fact that computers and technology has generated just as many and even more jobs to our society than it has eliminated. I feel that computers do not mean that jobs will be eliminated because we still need people to run these machines but that people need to be trained in a different skill. For example, many years ago the Engineering Industry use to develop blue print projects by hand. Today Engineers use different types of computer software such as Cad Key, Auto Cad, an d Micro Station which require cmputer training in the specific software.

Psychology and Behavior

1. Abstract The research area is classroom management, and specifically dealing with student’s behavior problems in a real classroom situation. It is universally recognized that the teacher is the key person in an education system and a well-managed classroom can provide an exciting and dynamic learning experience for everyone involved. The main objective of the research is to identify approaches for managing student behavior in order to apply valuable ways to achieve effective and positive classroom management.The present research was cross-sectional, and researcher used this type of research because it can be both qualitative and quantitative. Researcher hence endeavors to collect information from a smaller group or subset of the population in such a way that knowledge gained is representative of total population of the study. 2. Introduction Statement of the research is â€Å"Student Behavior Problems† The present research was cross-sectional as the researcher focuse d on one particular point. The major advantage of cross-sectional research is that data can be collected from different type of people in a short time period.The researcher used this type of research because it can be both qualitative and quantitative. The Researcher used non-probability sampling for this study. The sampling framework which suited the research was convenience sampling. The researcher used the questionnaire survey and classroom observation as research tool. 2. 1. Research Problem How should a teacher deals with students’ behavior problems in a practical classroom situation? 2. 2. Sampling Detail When defining the population upon which the research is to be focused, the researcher must take sampling decisions in the overall planning of the research.Due to the factors of expense, time and accessibility it may not be possible or practical to obtain measures from a population. Researchers, hence endeavor to collect information from a smaller group or subset of the population in such a way that knowledge gained is representative of total population of the study. The Researcher used non-probability sampling for this study. The sampling framework which suited the research was convenience sampling. It involves the nearest convenient individuals to serve as respondents and continuing the process until the required sample size has been obtained.Non-probability sampling is best suited for a small scale survey. It’s far less complicated to set up, less expensive and adequate if researchers don’t intend to generalize the findings beyond the sample in question. The researcher visited 5 English medium schools for questionnaire survey and classroom observation, which were located in urban area of Lahore city. All the schools were private and all girls’ institutions. The researcher observed the students of Grade 7th in the real classroom situation and tried to assess the ways teachers can control/minimize misbehavior in their classro oms.The total number of sample population was 60 students. Age of the students was 12-13 years old. Next chapter talks about the literature review. 3. Literature Review 3. 1. What Is Classroom Management? Classroom management is a term used by teachers to describe the process of ensuring that classroom lessons run smoothly despite disruptive behavior by students. The term also implies the prevention of disruptive behavior. It is possibly the most difficult aspect of teaching for many teachers and indeed experiencing problems in this area causes some to leave teaching altogether. Canter. 1997) Teachers feel overwhelmed and â€Å"powerless† in dealing with behavior problems in their classrooms. Canter (1997) pointed out that in the past, a simple stem look or warning was sufficient to shape up a classroom. â€Å"Misbehavior,† as Doyle contends, â€Å"is any action by one or more students that threatens to disrupt the activity flow or pull the class toward a program of a ction that threatens the safety of the group or violates norm of appropriate classroom behavior held by the teacher, the students, or the school's staff† (Doyle, 1986; p. 396). 3. . The Emphasis in Classroom Management 3. 3. Influences on Classroom Management: According to Emmer and Stough (2001), some studies have used student achievement or attitude as outcomes. But most classroom management research today has been concerned with identifying how teachers bring about student engagement with each other and limit the disruptions in the classroom. The following account will summarize the work of some important behavior theorists and in turn will identify the influences that each has made on classroom behavior and management. 3. 3. 1.Burrhus Frederick Skinner Burrhus Frederick Skinner's philosophies can be related to the issue of classroom management. Skinner (Sprinthall, 1981) emphasized his research on how the organism learns, regardless of its inherited potential, regardless o f its stage of physical or psychological development, and often regardless of its species. In regards to the classroom, Skinner (Conte, 1994) stated that by rewarding students for good behavior and ignoring or punishing wrong behavior, students would come to understand how to behave in a classroom environment. . 3. 2. William Glasser Glasser's Reality Therapy (Emmer and Stough, 2001) stressed the use of choice as the cause of behavior, good or bad, and thus instructed teachers to direct students towards making value judgments about their behavior. By making value judgments, students would come to realize the importance of â€Å"good† choices in behavior and continue to make them again in the future. Therefore, students were taught the difference between a â€Å"good judgment†, and a â€Å"bad judgment.In today's classrooms, rewards are given for â€Å"good choices† and consequences are given for â€Å"bad choices†. This process t is used to promote good behavior and diminish bad behavior in the classroom. 3. 3. 3. Jacob Kounin Jacob Kounin and his colleagues engaged in substantial classroom management research. His work focused on determining whether specific behavior settings and environmental conditions influenced behavior. He also identified a set of teacher behaviors and lesson characteristics, including, wittiness, smoothness, momentum, overlapping and group alerting.These characteristics would describe a teacher who knew what was going on at all times in the classroom and was able to deal with more than one issue or problem at a time. Kounin (Conte, 1994) thought teachers who could be that â€Å"aware† would be better managers of children in the classroom. 3. 3. 4. Abraham H. Maslow Maslow's research on hierarchy of needs has also influenced effective classroom management. Helping students meet their own needs is of the utmost importance to enhance student learning opportunities and to maintain teacher longevity in the classroom.Maslow (as cited in Sprinthall, 1981, p. 327) an important psychologist in the area of motivation theory, has suggested that there is a definite order in which individuals attempt to satisfy their needs. Maslow had declared there is an â€Å"order-of-importance† that is universal among all humans. Herbert Grossman (Gordon, 2001) recaps students' basic needs and the order which those needs must be met to produce well balanced members of society. 3. 4. Role of Teacher as Classroom Manager:According to Honeyford (1982) a major limiting factor in any classroom is the teacher; not only do his character, personality and competence play a large part in determining the atmosphere of the lesson, the sort of relationships which exist, the styles of communication and the rules and regulations governing the formalities, but the teacher also performs a key role in influencing the pupils’ view of himself and the sort of progress he/she makes. Successful classroom manageme nt has been defined as producing a high rate of work involvement with a low rate of deviancy in academic settings (Laslett and Smith, 1984).Well-managed classrooms did not result from magic, but that carefully established and maintained procedures should be at work (Sadker and Sadker, 1997). 3. 4. 1. Time management skill Academic learning time in the classroom has emerged as an important variable. Studies have shown that the amount of on-task behavior can vary as much as 40 percent from one classroom to the next. Even how quickly a teacher calls the class to order can vary all the way from one to ten minutes. Thus, how fficiently you have your lessons, how long you take to get started, how you handle digressions, off-task behavior, discipline and how you handle transitions will have an effect on student learning(Walberg,1988). 3. 4. 2. Seating arrangement Arrangements of space and furniture in ways that bunch students together or obstruct the teacher’s view make it more diff icult for a teacher to detect behavior task initiations early (Duke and Rehage, 1979). Seating arrangement must depend on the type of lesson to be taught, and the type of classroom furniture.Proper arrangement of furniture also contributes to the functionality of classrooms. Furniture is arranged so that students are oriented to the primary source or sources of information (e. g. , the teacher, audio-visual materials), while at the same time having access to other sources of activities (e. g. , work areas, computers) without disturbing in the classroom (Nitsaisook and Anderson, 1989). According to Anderson (1991) desks, chairs and tables can be arranged in a variety of ways; light and temperature can be increased or decreased. 3. 4. 3. Discipline in the classroomCallahan (1996) asserts that the best classroom environment is one that results in efficient learning. Discipline involves employing guidance and teaching techniques to encourage students to become self directive and thus to create an atmosphere conducive to learning. A teacher establishes classroom rules either with his or her students or before the school year begins. Rules are best if they are few in number, simple and easy to understand, and fair. Also rules should be posted in the classroom for all to see, and the teacher should go over the rules on the first day of school. 3. 4. 4.Dealing with disruptive students In order to handle misbehaving student, the following suggestions may prove helpful: †¢Deal with the present, current problem immediately, not with the past instances of the student misbehavior. †¢Talk to the student directly, instead of talking about him with others. †¢Don’t be harsh and provoked. Stay calm and address firmly. Anger, empty threats and physical handling must be avoided. †¢If the student’s misbehavior is impeding the teacher in teaching, â€Å"1statements† be used by explaining to the student why you are upset by his behavior. 3. 4 . 5. Exhibit Assertive BehaviorAssertive behavior differs significantly from both passive behavior and aggressive behavior. This researcher Emmer elaborates that teacher’s display assertive behavior in the classroom when they: †¢Use assertive body language by maintaining an erect posture, facing the offending student but keeping enough distance so as not to appear threatening and matching the facial expression with the content of the message being presented to students. †¢Use an appropriate tone of voice, speaking clearly and deliberately in a pitch that is slightly but not greatly elevated from normal classroom speech, avoiding any display of emotions in the voice. Persist until students respond with the appropriate behavior. Do not ignore an inappropriate behavior; do not be diverted by a student denying, arguing, or blaming, but listen to legitimate explanations. 3. 5. Addressing Problematic Student Behavior Reports of problematic behaviors are on the rise nation ally in Pakistan, not only in the classroom but in society at large (Kowalski, 2003). Some of these immature, irritating, or thoughtless behaviors or â€Å"classroom incivilities† include: †¢Lateness or leaving early †¢Side conversations †¢Disregard for deadlines Grade grubbing †¢Sniping remarks †¢Cheating These behaviors are not just instructors’ pet peeves; they have real costs including: †¢Distracting other students and instructor in class †¢Reducing student participation †¢Lowering other students' and instructor’s motivation in or out of class †¢Affecting fairness in grading †¢Using instructor time unproductively †¢Feeling disrespected as a fellow learner or authority figure 3. 6. Possible Causes: In order to limit or deal effectively with these behaviors, it is important to understand the factors that cause or facilitate them. . 6. 1. Attention Dreikurs believed that most students start misbehaving by s eeking attention, and when this fails, they move on to more problematic goal-seeking behaviors, such as power. 3. 6. 2. Power Some students don't hesitate to take a stand on matters important to them and are often disruptive and confrontational in reaching their goal. 3. 6. 3. Revenge Some students compensate for real or imagined hurt feelings and they target teacher or students for revenge. Revenge may come in the form of a physical and/or psychological attack. 3. 6. . Avoidance of Failure Wanting to avoid repeated failure, some students appear to be discouraged and helpless. This phenomenon, described as â€Å"learned helplessness† by psychologists, is characteristic of students who fail needlessly because they do not invest their best efforts. `3. 7. Possible Strategies: Sorcinelli (2002) suggests 4 principles to reduce incivilities. The principles are broad and so each one can be used to generate several concrete strategies. 3. 7. 1. Define expectations at the outset. â⠂¬ ¢Make good use of the first day of class.Use the first day to create the right climate for productive interaction. †¢Allow student participation in setting ground rules. Having students participate in setting the rules for classroom behavior and interaction 3. 7. 2. Decrease anonymity †¢Engage students one-on-one. Use the time right before and after class to make small talk with students. Ask about the weekend, or the homework, or common interests. †¢Learn and use names consistently and let students know that you are trying to memorize their names in the first weeks. 3. 7. 3. Encourage active learning.Meaningful engagement has obvious benefits for student learning and performance, but it can also bring some side benefits with respect to student behavior in the classroom. In fact, Sorcinelli (1991) points out that in classes that use active learning effectively, students †¢Feel more responsible for coming to class, and coming prepared †¢Pay more attention in class †¢Feel more responsible for their learning. The next chapter deals with research methodology. 4. Research Methodology In this chapter of research methodology, researcher has talked about the main research questions, research instruments and procedure. . 1. Research Questions: The present study focused on the following two questions: 4. 1. 1. How can the teacher maintain positive student behavior in the classrooms? 4. 1. 2. How far do the classroom rules have a significant effect on student’s behavior? 4. 2. Participants When defining the population upon which the research is to be focused, the researcher must take sampling decisions in the overall planning of the research. Due to the factors of expense, time and accessibility it may not be possible or practical to obtain measures from a population.Researchers, hence endeavor to collect information from a smaller group or subset of the population in such a way that knowledge gained is representative of total popu lation of the study. The Researcher used non-probability sampling for this study. The sampling framework which suited the research was convenience sampling. It involves the nearest convenient individuals to serve as respondents and continuing the process until the required sample size has been obtained. Non-probability sampling is best suited for a small scale survey.It’s far less complicated to set up, less expensive and adequate if researchers don’t intend to generalize the findings beyond the sample in question. The researcher visited 5 English medium schools for questionnaire survey and classroom observation, which were located in urban area of Lahore city. All the schools were private and all girls’ institutions. The researcher observed the students of Grade 7th in the real classroom situation and tried to assess the ways teachers can control/minimize misbehavior in their classrooms. The total number of sample population was 60 students.Age of the students was 12-13 years old. 4. 3. Research Instruments: The researcher used two tools. 4. 3. 1. Questionnaire Survey Questionnaires were used by the researcher to obtain the required data. It was an easier way to get relevant data from a large population. The researcher distributed questionnaires among 30 teachers and asked them to fill in their responses. The questionnaire was piloted before it was given to the participants. The questionnaires were administered to middle school teachers and the responds were examined. In this way data was collected from English medium schools of Lahore.Questionnaire contain 20 questions, among them 15 questions are close ended and 5 questions are open ended. Questionnaires can provide quantitative data using closed (or fixed-response) questions, where the respondent is presented with a number of alternative responses to a question and asked to mark the one that they feel is most appropriate. Researcher has used licked scale for this, which include five op tions such as strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree and strongly disagree. Closed questions have been criticised for forcing people to choose their answer from the alternatives provided rather than answering in their own words.Qualitative data can be gathered using open (or free-response) questions to which respondents are asked to write their own answer 4. 3. 2. Classroom Observation Classroom Observation was undertaken in order to get a proper insight into the problem being explored. The researcher undertook four classroom observations that are widely used to measure changes in classroom behaviors. Classroom observation is confidential and it is an objective recording of what the instructor is doing and saying, what the students are doing and saying and interactions between the instructor and students.The researcher visited 5 different schools, and observed the students of Grade 7th in the real classroom situation. Classroom observation as a research and evaluation method can p rovide reliable and valid data on how teachers and students behave in the classroom before and after an intervention. It will explain the criteria for selecting an appropriate classroom observation protocol and examine under what circumstances classroom observation protocols can be used effectively.In the context of the current study special emphasis was placed on the use of classroom observation to examine how the teacher dealt with problematic students in the real classroom situation. 4. 4. Pilot Testing Both the research instruments, questionnaire and classroom observation was piloted before it was given to the participants. 4. 5. Ethical Considerations The information provided by the participants should remain confidential. For this purpose of confidentiality, informed consent form was signed by all the participants before the study was started. 4. 6. ProcedureThe researcher distributed questionnaires among 30 teachers and asked them to fill in their responses. The questionnaire s were administered to middle school teachers and the responds were examined. In this way data was collected from English medium schools of Lahore. Researcher distributed questionnaire among participants and collect the filled questionnaires from them next day. Researchers left the questionnaires with the participants and give them time of one day, so that they can have enough time to fill them. 5. Analysis For the coding of data, researcher runs spss. . Conclusion The effective use of behavioral and cognitive strategies in the classroom may appear daunting even to experienced teachers. The purpose of this research was to determine which management techniques and practices were most effective in the classroom in controlling student behavior, based upon critical analysis of the research literature. The aim of the research was to enable students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes about classroom management and the objective was to identify approaches for managing student b ehavior.However, changing your behavior and strategies is often the most efficient and effective means of improving all types of classroom behaviors, both disruptive and non-disruptive. So is has been concluded after the research that teachers first need to understand these problems regarding students behavior and then try to find solutions by seeing the world through the eyes of their students. And then developing and using a set of intervention strategies on a regular basis, problems of emotions and behavior can be effectively managed and changed in the classroom. Psychology and Behavior 1. Abstract The research area is classroom management, and specifically dealing with student’s behavior problems in a real classroom situation. It is universally recognized that the teacher is the key person in an education system and a well-managed classroom can provide an exciting and dynamic learning experience for everyone involved. The main objective of the research is to identify approaches for managing student behavior in order to apply valuable ways to achieve effective and positive classroom management.The present research was cross-sectional, and researcher used this type of research because it can be both qualitative and quantitative. Researcher hence endeavors to collect information from a smaller group or subset of the population in such a way that knowledge gained is representative of total population of the study. 2. Introduction Statement of the research is â€Å"Student Behavior Problems† The present research was cross-sectional as the researcher focuse d on one particular point. The major advantage of cross-sectional research is that data can be collected from different type of people in a short time period.The researcher used this type of research because it can be both qualitative and quantitative. The Researcher used non-probability sampling for this study. The sampling framework which suited the research was convenience sampling. The researcher used the questionnaire survey and classroom observation as research tool. 2. 1. Research Problem How should a teacher deals with students’ behavior problems in a practical classroom situation? 2. 2. Sampling Detail When defining the population upon which the research is to be focused, the researcher must take sampling decisions in the overall planning of the research.Due to the factors of expense, time and accessibility it may not be possible or practical to obtain measures from a population. Researchers, hence endeavor to collect information from a smaller group or subset of the population in such a way that knowledge gained is representative of total population of the study. The Researcher used non-probability sampling for this study. The sampling framework which suited the research was convenience sampling. It involves the nearest convenient individuals to serve as respondents and continuing the process until the required sample size has been obtained.Non-probability sampling is best suited for a small scale survey. It’s far less complicated to set up, less expensive and adequate if researchers don’t intend to generalize the findings beyond the sample in question. The researcher visited 5 English medium schools for questionnaire survey and classroom observation, which were located in urban area of Lahore city. All the schools were private and all girls’ institutions. The researcher observed the students of Grade 7th in the real classroom situation and tried to assess the ways teachers can control/minimize misbehavior in their classro oms.The total number of sample population was 60 students. Age of the students was 12-13 years old. Next chapter talks about the literature review. 3. Literature Review 3. 1. What Is Classroom Management? Classroom management is a term used by teachers to describe the process of ensuring that classroom lessons run smoothly despite disruptive behavior by students. The term also implies the prevention of disruptive behavior. It is possibly the most difficult aspect of teaching for many teachers and indeed experiencing problems in this area causes some to leave teaching altogether. Canter. 1997) Teachers feel overwhelmed and â€Å"powerless† in dealing with behavior problems in their classrooms. Canter (1997) pointed out that in the past, a simple stem look or warning was sufficient to shape up a classroom. â€Å"Misbehavior,† as Doyle contends, â€Å"is any action by one or more students that threatens to disrupt the activity flow or pull the class toward a program of a ction that threatens the safety of the group or violates norm of appropriate classroom behavior held by the teacher, the students, or the school's staff† (Doyle, 1986; p. 396). 3. . The Emphasis in Classroom Management 3. 3. Influences on Classroom Management: According to Emmer and Stough (2001), some studies have used student achievement or attitude as outcomes. But most classroom management research today has been concerned with identifying how teachers bring about student engagement with each other and limit the disruptions in the classroom. The following account will summarize the work of some important behavior theorists and in turn will identify the influences that each has made on classroom behavior and management. 3. 3. 1.Burrhus Frederick Skinner Burrhus Frederick Skinner's philosophies can be related to the issue of classroom management. Skinner (Sprinthall, 1981) emphasized his research on how the organism learns, regardless of its inherited potential, regardless o f its stage of physical or psychological development, and often regardless of its species. In regards to the classroom, Skinner (Conte, 1994) stated that by rewarding students for good behavior and ignoring or punishing wrong behavior, students would come to understand how to behave in a classroom environment. . 3. 2. William Glasser Glasser's Reality Therapy (Emmer and Stough, 2001) stressed the use of choice as the cause of behavior, good or bad, and thus instructed teachers to direct students towards making value judgments about their behavior. By making value judgments, students would come to realize the importance of â€Å"good† choices in behavior and continue to make them again in the future. Therefore, students were taught the difference between a â€Å"good judgment†, and a â€Å"bad judgment.In today's classrooms, rewards are given for â€Å"good choices† and consequences are given for â€Å"bad choices†. This process t is used to promote good behavior and diminish bad behavior in the classroom. 3. 3. 3. Jacob Kounin Jacob Kounin and his colleagues engaged in substantial classroom management research. His work focused on determining whether specific behavior settings and environmental conditions influenced behavior. He also identified a set of teacher behaviors and lesson characteristics, including, wittiness, smoothness, momentum, overlapping and group alerting.These characteristics would describe a teacher who knew what was going on at all times in the classroom and was able to deal with more than one issue or problem at a time. Kounin (Conte, 1994) thought teachers who could be that â€Å"aware† would be better managers of children in the classroom. 3. 3. 4. Abraham H. Maslow Maslow's research on hierarchy of needs has also influenced effective classroom management. Helping students meet their own needs is of the utmost importance to enhance student learning opportunities and to maintain teacher longevity in the classroom.Maslow (as cited in Sprinthall, 1981, p. 327) an important psychologist in the area of motivation theory, has suggested that there is a definite order in which individuals attempt to satisfy their needs. Maslow had declared there is an â€Å"order-of-importance† that is universal among all humans. Herbert Grossman (Gordon, 2001) recaps students' basic needs and the order which those needs must be met to produce well balanced members of society. 3. 4. Role of Teacher as Classroom Manager:According to Honeyford (1982) a major limiting factor in any classroom is the teacher; not only do his character, personality and competence play a large part in determining the atmosphere of the lesson, the sort of relationships which exist, the styles of communication and the rules and regulations governing the formalities, but the teacher also performs a key role in influencing the pupils’ view of himself and the sort of progress he/she makes. Successful classroom manageme nt has been defined as producing a high rate of work involvement with a low rate of deviancy in academic settings (Laslett and Smith, 1984).Well-managed classrooms did not result from magic, but that carefully established and maintained procedures should be at work (Sadker and Sadker, 1997). 3. 4. 1. Time management skill Academic learning time in the classroom has emerged as an important variable. Studies have shown that the amount of on-task behavior can vary as much as 40 percent from one classroom to the next. Even how quickly a teacher calls the class to order can vary all the way from one to ten minutes. Thus, how fficiently you have your lessons, how long you take to get started, how you handle digressions, off-task behavior, discipline and how you handle transitions will have an effect on student learning(Walberg,1988). 3. 4. 2. Seating arrangement Arrangements of space and furniture in ways that bunch students together or obstruct the teacher’s view make it more diff icult for a teacher to detect behavior task initiations early (Duke and Rehage, 1979). Seating arrangement must depend on the type of lesson to be taught, and the type of classroom furniture.Proper arrangement of furniture also contributes to the functionality of classrooms. Furniture is arranged so that students are oriented to the primary source or sources of information (e. g. , the teacher, audio-visual materials), while at the same time having access to other sources of activities (e. g. , work areas, computers) without disturbing in the classroom (Nitsaisook and Anderson, 1989). According to Anderson (1991) desks, chairs and tables can be arranged in a variety of ways; light and temperature can be increased or decreased. 3. 4. 3. Discipline in the classroomCallahan (1996) asserts that the best classroom environment is one that results in efficient learning. Discipline involves employing guidance and teaching techniques to encourage students to become self directive and thus to create an atmosphere conducive to learning. A teacher establishes classroom rules either with his or her students or before the school year begins. Rules are best if they are few in number, simple and easy to understand, and fair. Also rules should be posted in the classroom for all to see, and the teacher should go over the rules on the first day of school. 3. 4. 4.Dealing with disruptive students In order to handle misbehaving student, the following suggestions may prove helpful: †¢Deal with the present, current problem immediately, not with the past instances of the student misbehavior. †¢Talk to the student directly, instead of talking about him with others. †¢Don’t be harsh and provoked. Stay calm and address firmly. Anger, empty threats and physical handling must be avoided. †¢If the student’s misbehavior is impeding the teacher in teaching, â€Å"1statements† be used by explaining to the student why you are upset by his behavior. 3. 4 . 5. Exhibit Assertive BehaviorAssertive behavior differs significantly from both passive behavior and aggressive behavior. This researcher Emmer elaborates that teacher’s display assertive behavior in the classroom when they: †¢Use assertive body language by maintaining an erect posture, facing the offending student but keeping enough distance so as not to appear threatening and matching the facial expression with the content of the message being presented to students. †¢Use an appropriate tone of voice, speaking clearly and deliberately in a pitch that is slightly but not greatly elevated from normal classroom speech, avoiding any display of emotions in the voice. Persist until students respond with the appropriate behavior. Do not ignore an inappropriate behavior; do not be diverted by a student denying, arguing, or blaming, but listen to legitimate explanations. 3. 5. Addressing Problematic Student Behavior Reports of problematic behaviors are on the rise nation ally in Pakistan, not only in the classroom but in society at large (Kowalski, 2003). Some of these immature, irritating, or thoughtless behaviors or â€Å"classroom incivilities† include: †¢Lateness or leaving early †¢Side conversations †¢Disregard for deadlines Grade grubbing †¢Sniping remarks †¢Cheating These behaviors are not just instructors’ pet peeves; they have real costs including: †¢Distracting other students and instructor in class †¢Reducing student participation †¢Lowering other students' and instructor’s motivation in or out of class †¢Affecting fairness in grading †¢Using instructor time unproductively †¢Feeling disrespected as a fellow learner or authority figure 3. 6. Possible Causes: In order to limit or deal effectively with these behaviors, it is important to understand the factors that cause or facilitate them. . 6. 1. Attention Dreikurs believed that most students start misbehaving by s eeking attention, and when this fails, they move on to more problematic goal-seeking behaviors, such as power. 3. 6. 2. Power Some students don't hesitate to take a stand on matters important to them and are often disruptive and confrontational in reaching their goal. 3. 6. 3. Revenge Some students compensate for real or imagined hurt feelings and they target teacher or students for revenge. Revenge may come in the form of a physical and/or psychological attack. 3. 6. . Avoidance of Failure Wanting to avoid repeated failure, some students appear to be discouraged and helpless. This phenomenon, described as â€Å"learned helplessness† by psychologists, is characteristic of students who fail needlessly because they do not invest their best efforts. `3. 7. Possible Strategies: Sorcinelli (2002) suggests 4 principles to reduce incivilities. The principles are broad and so each one can be used to generate several concrete strategies. 3. 7. 1. Define expectations at the outset. â⠂¬ ¢Make good use of the first day of class.Use the first day to create the right climate for productive interaction. †¢Allow student participation in setting ground rules. Having students participate in setting the rules for classroom behavior and interaction 3. 7. 2. Decrease anonymity †¢Engage students one-on-one. Use the time right before and after class to make small talk with students. Ask about the weekend, or the homework, or common interests. †¢Learn and use names consistently and let students know that you are trying to memorize their names in the first weeks. 3. 7. 3. Encourage active learning.Meaningful engagement has obvious benefits for student learning and performance, but it can also bring some side benefits with respect to student behavior in the classroom. In fact, Sorcinelli (1991) points out that in classes that use active learning effectively, students †¢Feel more responsible for coming to class, and coming prepared †¢Pay more attention in class †¢Feel more responsible for their learning. The next chapter deals with research methodology. 4. Research Methodology In this chapter of research methodology, researcher has talked about the main research questions, research instruments and procedure. . 1. Research Questions: The present study focused on the following two questions: 4. 1. 1. How can the teacher maintain positive student behavior in the classrooms? 4. 1. 2. How far do the classroom rules have a significant effect on student’s behavior? 4. 2. Participants When defining the population upon which the research is to be focused, the researcher must take sampling decisions in the overall planning of the research. Due to the factors of expense, time and accessibility it may not be possible or practical to obtain measures from a population.Researchers, hence endeavor to collect information from a smaller group or subset of the population in such a way that knowledge gained is representative of total popu lation of the study. The Researcher used non-probability sampling for this study. The sampling framework which suited the research was convenience sampling. It involves the nearest convenient individuals to serve as respondents and continuing the process until the required sample size has been obtained. Non-probability sampling is best suited for a small scale survey.It’s far less complicated to set up, less expensive and adequate if researchers don’t intend to generalize the findings beyond the sample in question. The researcher visited 5 English medium schools for questionnaire survey and classroom observation, which were located in urban area of Lahore city. All the schools were private and all girls’ institutions. The researcher observed the students of Grade 7th in the real classroom situation and tried to assess the ways teachers can control/minimize misbehavior in their classrooms. The total number of sample population was 60 students.Age of the students was 12-13 years old. 4. 3. Research Instruments: The researcher used two tools. 4. 3. 1. Questionnaire Survey Questionnaires were used by the researcher to obtain the required data. It was an easier way to get relevant data from a large population. The researcher distributed questionnaires among 30 teachers and asked them to fill in their responses. The questionnaire was piloted before it was given to the participants. The questionnaires were administered to middle school teachers and the responds were examined. In this way data was collected from English medium schools of Lahore.Questionnaire contain 20 questions, among them 15 questions are close ended and 5 questions are open ended. Questionnaires can provide quantitative data using closed (or fixed-response) questions, where the respondent is presented with a number of alternative responses to a question and asked to mark the one that they feel is most appropriate. Researcher has used licked scale for this, which include five op tions such as strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree and strongly disagree. Closed questions have been criticised for forcing people to choose their answer from the alternatives provided rather than answering in their own words.Qualitative data can be gathered using open (or free-response) questions to which respondents are asked to write their own answer 4. 3. 2. Classroom Observation Classroom Observation was undertaken in order to get a proper insight into the problem being explored. The researcher undertook four classroom observations that are widely used to measure changes in classroom behaviors. Classroom observation is confidential and it is an objective recording of what the instructor is doing and saying, what the students are doing and saying and interactions between the instructor and students.The researcher visited 5 different schools, and observed the students of Grade 7th in the real classroom situation. Classroom observation as a research and evaluation method can p rovide reliable and valid data on how teachers and students behave in the classroom before and after an intervention. It will explain the criteria for selecting an appropriate classroom observation protocol and examine under what circumstances classroom observation protocols can be used effectively.In the context of the current study special emphasis was placed on the use of classroom observation to examine how the teacher dealt with problematic students in the real classroom situation. 4. 4. Pilot Testing Both the research instruments, questionnaire and classroom observation was piloted before it was given to the participants. 4. 5. Ethical Considerations The information provided by the participants should remain confidential. For this purpose of confidentiality, informed consent form was signed by all the participants before the study was started. 4. 6. ProcedureThe researcher distributed questionnaires among 30 teachers and asked them to fill in their responses. The questionnaire s were administered to middle school teachers and the responds were examined. In this way data was collected from English medium schools of Lahore. Researcher distributed questionnaire among participants and collect the filled questionnaires from them next day. Researchers left the questionnaires with the participants and give them time of one day, so that they can have enough time to fill them. 5. Analysis For the coding of data, researcher runs spss. . Conclusion The effective use of behavioral and cognitive strategies in the classroom may appear daunting even to experienced teachers. The purpose of this research was to determine which management techniques and practices were most effective in the classroom in controlling student behavior, based upon critical analysis of the research literature. The aim of the research was to enable students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes about classroom management and the objective was to identify approaches for managing student b ehavior.However, changing your behavior and strategies is often the most efficient and effective means of improving all types of classroom behaviors, both disruptive and non-disruptive. So is has been concluded after the research that teachers first need to understand these problems regarding students behavior and then try to find solutions by seeing the world through the eyes of their students. And then developing and using a set of intervention strategies on a regular basis, problems of emotions and behavior can be effectively managed and changed in the classroom.

Circus Elephant Training Abuse by Trainers

It is important to note that the elephant is highly endangered. There were once millions of African elephants who roamed the entire continent. Now their numbers are estimated at around 300,000 and mainly found in sub-Saharan Africa. The Asian elephant is even more critical. Its numbers are down to only about 30,000. There were at one time millions. Not only are some animal acts harming and killing elephants, but they are also doing this to a highly endangered species. In order to train an 8,000-11,000 pound animal – who can be very deadly to humans – to perform tricks seen in circuses such as headstands, tightrope walking, roller skating and the such, often it is believed that the fierce application of negative reinforcement is required. Physical punishment has often been a standard training method for animals in circuses. Elephants are sometimes beaten, shocked, and whipped in order for them to perform repeatedly the routines of circus performance. The Animal Welfare A ct (AWA) does not prohibit the use of bullhooks, whips, electrical shock prods, or other such training devices. The elephants are beaten by several people for up to fifteen minutes at a time with bull-hooks. Their skin being as sensitive as humans, one can understand the torture this entails. Beatings According to congressional testimony provided by former Beatty-Cole elephant keeper Tom Rider, [I]n White Plains, N.Y., when Pete did not perform her act properly, she was taken to the tent and laid down, and five trainers beat her with bull-hooks. Rider also told officials that [a]fter my three years working with elephants in the circus, I can tell you that they live in confinement and they are beaten all the time when they dont perform properly (Rider). To hide this from circus goers, lacerations from bull-hooks are often covered up with wonder dust, a type of theatrical pancake makeup (according to ​circuses.com). The public does not see the violence and abuse some of these elephants endure. Not all animal trainers are abusive; some do care deeply for the animals in their trust. Nonetheless, from the easily accessible literature on the web, it appears abuse does happen. Confinement Possibly even worse than the negative reinforcement, though, is the confinement performing elephants endure. Remember elephants sometimes walk up to 50 miles a day and they are often confined to spaces no bigger than a standard American one-bedroom apartment. In states which require chaining of elephants when not performing, elephants are chained in spaces the size of an average automobile by two legs for up to twenty hours a day. Circuses.com reports: During the off-season, animals used in circuses may be housed in traveling crates or barn stalls; some are even kept in trucks. Such unrelieved physical confinement can have harmful physical and psychological effects on animals. These effects are often indicated by unnatural behaviors such as repeated head bobbing, swaying, and pacing. (Epstein) A study of circuses conducted by Animal Defenders International in the United Kingdom found abnormal behaviors of this kind in all of the species observed. Investigators witnessed elephants that were chained for 70 percent of the day, horses that were confined for 23 hours per day, and large cats that were kept in cages up to 99 percent of the time (Creamer Phillips). Danger Other than the beatings and the chaining, another reason pop culture should consider not attending animal circuses is a human danger. Eventually, after years and sometimes decades of circus life, these large animals sometimes will go mad, rampage, and kill trainers, circus members, and audience members just as Tyke did in Hawaii. In a worst-case scenario situation, an elephant named Janet rampaged with children on her back during a performance of the Great American Circus in Palm Bay. The officer who finally killed her after shooting 47 rounds into the elephant who supposedly had been chained and beaten for years said, I think these elephants are trying to tell us that zoos and circuses are not what God created them for ... but we have not been listening...this is the kind of stuff people protest about (Sahagun, Louis. Elephants Pose Giant Dangers, Los Angeles Times, Oct. 11, 1994).