Melanie Page
August 6, 2007
A Classroom of Success
An ideal classroom based on the many theorists that have contributed to the world
of education has the potential to be very effect. Through this ideal classroom the student
would be provided with an interactive environment and they would be supported
mentally as well as academically. Theorists provide an outlets and options to control
behavior as well as opportunities to properly convey knowledge. The traditional
classroom with many colors, themes, and motivational elements is very important. This
classroom will consist of all these elements. Some more specific items would be imagery
that motivates the students; student tasks that keeps them interested and active, outlets to
relief any student issues, and opportunities to teach each other and themselves.
In this classroom there will many images around the room of individuals who
resembled the students. These images would be of people that are making
accomplishments such as earning an A on a paper, winning a science fair, graduating
from college, or successfully obtaining a career. This goes along with Bandura’s theory
of self-efficacy, where the student is believed to build his or her self-perception by
comparing his or her self to the performance of others they observe vicariously or
directly. This will help the students see that others like themselves are capable of
achieving great things and hopefully motivating the student to work hard. In addition this
coincides with Bandura’s idea that in imitation learning the student is more likely to
model something that is similar to his or her self.
The classroom will also have a board of classroom jobs. The jobs will consist of
passing out papers, taking attendance, cleaning the boards, and other duties within the
classroom. At the end of each week when all the jobs that have successfully been
completed the students will gain homework passes for their hard work. These jobs will
give the students a sense of purpose within the classroom and the students will gain
recognition for successfully completing a meaningful task. This aspect of the classroom
includes both Skinner and Erickson’s theory of positive reinforcement and the
developmental stage of Industry versus Inferiority. The positive reinforcement is the
reward of a homework pass for successfully completing the task they were assigned. The
whole idea of doing a meaningful task for teacher recognition fits into Erickson’s
developmental stage Industry versus Inferiority because he believed that students “want
to earn recognition by producing something, to gain the satisfaction of completing work
by perseverance.” In addition, this stage states that students are looking for activities
worthy of their attention, and they want to pursue these activities with their peers; this
activity provides both for the student.
To deal with classroom issues their will be a relief box where the student can
write letters or notes about any issues they have about school work or any other
dilemmas. The child does not have to provide their names with these notes; however, this
I will be beneficial to the teacher as well as the student. It will allow the students to
express the issues they are having academically, socially, or individually. Then the
teacher will be able to assess and resolve the issue to the best of her ability to sustain a
productive and constructive environment for the students. This idea of relieving their
issue on paper into this box will allow the student the Opportunity to escape some of the
Freudian mechanisms of defense. The student will have let out the frustration or issue
that is affecting the student and the teacher will to the best of his or her ability provide a
resolution to get rid of this problem. This box may be a far fetch ideal of solving the issue
of the youth; however, it at least gives them an option to rid themselves of their obstacles.
Finally, the classroom will have the “ask three then ask me” rule. This rule will
urge students to teach things to their peers, and this will demonstrate how much the
students have gained from the lessons being taught. This method can be looked at as a
form of scaffolding. The student is being guided to a certain point then allowed to find
answers through their knowledge or the knowledge of their peers. This rule also deals
with Bandura’s belief that a student recalls on knowledge that they already possess when
needed. Some will possess more knowledge and experience than others and will be able
to spread this knowledge through this rule while maintaining a 360 degree learning
environment.
All of these elements will make for a fit and productive classroom for Elementary
School students.