Observation 2: March 5, 2014

Today I observed the class room management of a different learning environment than the last visit. So rather than the history of technology, I went to the special education history class. Before I start any sort of analysis I first want to clarify that I have never observed a special education class nor have I taken any special education classes at the college level. The only special education classes I am familiar with are the ones I had to take as a student since I had reading and speech problems. Even so those classes were only at the elementary and middle school level a long time ago. So, without a good basis in special education I am not quite sure how to effectively evaluate this experience.

I think the reason I am so confused is because I am not sure if the disruptive behavior I saw was considered normal or not. For me, the teacher’s management of the class allowed for a more rowdy atmosphere than I would have liked if I were a student trying to learn in the room. Now, I know the students all have specific reasons for being in that classroom and that those students are not exactly the best behaved. However, there was one student who was a constant disruption. The second she walked in she started yelling about something, I can’t recall anymore I just remember she was loud. Shortly after, the student pulled out her cell phone and the helper (another adult in the room aside from the teacher lecturing) asked her to hand it over. The student would not and so the helper had to have an argument with her. While not overly loud this time, it was still a long enough discussion to cause a distraction from the lesson that continued. A few minutes after the helper finally got the student to relinquish her cell phone, the student started whining about missing her phone. On multiple occasions the student would yell out that she just wanted her phone. Yet, the student was never reprimanded for her loud outbursts. Instead she was scolded for swearing since many of the sentences said during her disruptions were filled with inappropriate language. However, I could tolerate the student’s occasional swear so long as she was more quite because other students were losing out as a result of her actions.

At the same time, I know there is a method to the semi-madness I observed. The front board of the room is covered with posters stating what the rules are, which were as follows: getting to class on time, completing required assignments on time, listening during instruction, acting respectfully, and being cooperative. These were not just the teacher’s rules either. They were school rules that needed to be obeyed. To make these procedures more meaningful the teachers has a point system near all the objectives. The point system tracks a student by how they behave. According to the teacher all the students start at one and then if they do something within the rules they gain a point. This continues until they reach 5 points, at which time they can then receive a prize. If the students do something against the rules though they lost 2 points. The teacher further said how this was a new method she was trying to help the students better understand their role in the classroom. Such effort shows that she is spending ample time preparing her classroom procedure, which also makes think that I am missing part of the story in regards to how the teacher handled the overly disruptive student. For instance, maybe there is something stated in the child’s IEP; so that is why the teacher chose to ignore her behavior. Or, maybe the teacher will address the student at a later time. I can’t tell though because none of this was evident to me. However, for all I know maybe none of the story was missing. Maybe the student just found being lectured to sincerely boring and reacted poorly for that reason. Whatever the case, I wish I had more of the student’s and teacher’s story.

To be fair, I want to discuss the other pupil’s behavior too. As a group most of the students were taking notes and a few were engaged enough to be asking questions of their own. I found that note taking was a procedure the teacher expected from the students. Whereas the rule for talking seemed a little less outlined. She was fine with them either raising their hand or shouting. All of the students stayed in their seat and they knew the only way they could leave it is if they asked or were told to move somewhere else. Furthermore, most of the other students were respectfully paying attention. There would be some side chatter here and there or students who would ask questions that weren’t always on topic. However, those instances of behavior challenges were managed quickly and were less reoccurring than the disruptive individual I discussed previously. I think the fact that the majority of the students were well enough behaved goes to show that the teacher still exhibits a good deal of control and the other student is a really special circumstance that might take quite some time to effectively manage (if possible given the IEP). If this well thought out professional is not able to figure out a solution that enables the problem student to act as well as the others then I think the special ed teacher would be able to find help through the mentoring program that all the teachers are able to take part in.

 Overall, I think a single observation and a single student is not indicative of a teacher’s classroom management. Furthermore, I think the teacher had more right going on in her classroom then going wrong. In the end, the students did get through the lesson with notes, asked good questions, and reviewed the content of the lecture for understanding. Therefore, learning did occur that day. However, there is the strong probability that more content may have been taught or better covered if a constant distraction was eliminated, which is why I focused on the single disruptive student. To me that is an issue that needs to be addressed, if possible and not one that a teacher can just brush to the side. Regardless, of what I believe though, I do know that the teacher I observed has the most patience I have ever seen. So, I commend her immensely because I doubt I could have gotten as far in a lesson as she did with so many outbursts.