Have you ever stood in front of a classroom and all you could think is, “How do I keep my students engaged?” Especially when half of them have laptops or phones in front of them? Today’s classrooms are a whole new world. Students show up with a million things competing for their attention – laptops, phones, and TikTok! Throw in hybrid or online learning, and it becomes even more complicated. However, instructors do not need to fight it! We can use classroom management as a teaching tool.
Effective classroom management is more than enforcing rules and policies outlined in the syllabus; it’s a critical teaching technique that builds trust, fosters active learning, and prepares students for professional situations beyond the classroom.
Beneficial classroom management starts with the course basics: expectations. Be clear – early and often – about the vibe of the classroom. Do you want students to avoid using technology for taking notes or completing in-class work? Say so. Prefer cameras on for Zoom calls but understand that Zoom fatigue and bad Wi-Fi can happen? Tell them! When you set boundaries, students are more likely to stay engaged and respectful.
One helpful classroom management tip includes building classroom expectations with your students. This may sound like elementary school, but it works with university students! When students assist in the boundary-setting process, they feel part of the classroom community and that they matter in the decision-making process. Consider building classroom expectations with your students during the early days of a new semester.
Classroom management does not stop at the course basics; it is inherent to your everyday classroom functioning. Don’t underestimate the simple stuff in the classroom. Learn names (even just a few, if it is a large class). Smile, laugh, and be creative! Start class with a two-minute check-in about the weekend. These small moments help “humanize” you as the instructor and make a huge difference in creating a space where students feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and even make mistakes (Martin, 2009).
Managing the classroom in the digital age is a new challenge for many instructors. Remember: technology is not the enemy! Blend technology with your classroom management techniques to increase student engagement. Use live polls, shared documents, and quick collaborative activities in Canvas. Technology is not the end to student attention and participation in the classroom – it can be the tools that bring students together and create fun conversations! Dowd (2016) is a great resource for instructors who teach online courses. Even though the class is online, classroom management does not go away!
There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy when it comes to managing a classroom. Each class has its own personality. Embrace the uniqueness of each class – are they chatty? Silent? Nervous? Classroom management can help with that! Stay flexible, continue adapting, and be okay with change. Teaching – and managing a classroom – is an ongoing experiment, not a concreate product. The goal is to build trust, offer structure, and create a safe space for each student to learn.
Interested in learning more about classroom management? Check out these resources:
Dowd, H., & Green, P. (2016). Classroom Management in the Digital Age: Effective Practices for Technology-Rich Learning Spaces. EdTechTeam Press.
Martin, C., & Eyster, R. H. (2009). Successful Classroom Management: Real-world, Time-tested Techniques for the Most Important Skill Set Every Teacher Needs. Jossey-Bass.
Great info, JT!