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Classroom Management

Classroom management involves the routines, expectations, and strategies used to create a positive, respectful, and supportive learning environment. Effective classroom management can help foster learner engagement, safety, accountability, academic growth, and community.

Classroom management applies across in-person, online, and flexible hybrid learning environments.

 

Creating a Positive Learning Environment

Effective classroom management can help support learner engagement, participation, accountability, and community. A positive learning environment can encourage learners to feel more comfortable asking questions, contributing to discussions, collaborating with peers, and engaging with course material.

Classroom management approaches may vary depending on factors such as class size, course format, room layout, technology, learner needs, and disciplinary context. Regardless of the teaching environment, establishing clear expectations, consistent routines, and respectful communication can help create a more supportive and inclusive learning experience.

Start Building the Environment on the First Day

The first day of class can play an important role in setting the tone for the rest of the term. Early opportunities to clarify expectations, build connection, and introduce course routines can help learners feel more prepared and supported.

  • Introduce yourself and clearly state how you would like learners to address you.
  • Use an icebreaker, opening question, or short activity to help learners begin interacting with you and one another.
  • Begin engaging learners in course content right away through a brief activity, discussion, or example.
  • Review important parts of the course outline, including learning outcomes, course format, expectations, and key policies.
  • Consider co-developing community expectations related to participation, technology use, discussion, late arrivals, and respectful communication.
  • Begin learning learner names where possible using name cards, introductions, attendance activities, or Canvas profile information.

 

Classroom Management Strategies

Set Clear Expectations

  • Clearly communicate expectations related to participation, communication, technology use, group work, and classroom etiquette.
  • Reinforce expectations consistently throughout the term rather than only during the first week of class.
  • Consider discussing expectations collaboratively with learners to help establish shared accountability and trust.
  • Share important expectations and policies within the course outline and Canvas course.

Create Consistent Routines

  • Consistent routines can help learners feel more prepared and comfortable within the learning environment.
  • Examples may include starting and ending class consistently, using opening activities, sharing agendas, or providing transition prompts.
  • In online or hybrid courses, consistent Canvas organization and regular announcements can help support learner navigation and communication.
  • Consider using recurring rituals such as countdown timers, music, polls, or review questions to help transition learners into class activities.

Build Rapport and Engagement

  • Positive classroom relationships can help support learner engagement, participation, and respectful interactions.
  • Do your best to learn and use learner names where possible and create opportunities for interaction and participation.
  • Encourage questions, acknowledge learner contributions, and maintain an approachable and respectful presence.
  • Active learning strategies, discussions, polls, collaborative activities, and breakout rooms can help keep learners engaged and reduce off-task behaviour (Schwartz, 2018).

Respond to Disruptions Professionally

  • When disruptions occur, consider starting with less invasive approaches before escalating responses.
  • Strategies may include moving closer to the learner, making eye contact, pausing briefly, redirecting the discussion, or asking whether clarification is needed.
  • If necessary, consider speaking privately with the learner after class and referring back to established classroom expectations.
  • In more serious situations, instructors may need to ask learners to leave the classroom or consult institutional policies and supports.

 

Examples

The examples below highlight practical ways to support classroom management through structure, participation, communication, and feedback.

Opening Classroom Routine

  • Welcome learners as they arrive
  • Display the agenda and learning outcomes
  • Begin with a short review question or check-in
  • Transition into the main activity or discussion
  • End with an exit ticket or reflection prompt

Online Participation Guidelines

  • Use respectful language in chat and discussions
  • Mute microphones when not speaking
  • Use reactions or hand-raise features when appropriate
  • Participate in polls, discussions, or breakout activities
  • Be mindful of accessibility, privacy, and technology needs

Mid-Semester Check-In

  • What is helping you learn in this course?
  • What challenges are you experiencing?
  • What could improve the classroom environment?
  • How comfortable do you feel participating?
  • Is there anything else you would like me to know?

Transitioning Between Activities

  • Use a timer or transition slide
  • Give a verbal cue before changing activities
  • Ask learners to finish their final thought or sentence
  • Briefly summarize the activity before moving on
  • Connect the transition to the next task or learning outcome

 

References

Centre for Excellence in Learning & Teaching, Toronto Metropolitan University (2021). Best practices in classroom management. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CFOIgSJyBfuZrVCBjPdZVYhuOwTZTL3GVdeHfV4V_wY/edit?usp=sharing