Dear Readers,
Along with last week's topic about PBL, large classes can cause a problem for some teachers. Projects, in general, require group work. Therefore, a teacher might claim that it is impossible to work in groups in large classes: the noise level, time consuming, seating arrangement, etc. True, but to some extent.
Managing the class during the “project period” requires thought and organization. Pupils may feel that they are free to chat and fool around, since the traditional frontal lessons do not take place. There may be more noise in the classroom while pupils sit in groups discussing their work. Therefore, it is important to lay down ground rules and make clear that this is an important working situation, so pupils will cooperate and use their time fruitfully.
Noise! There is a difference between “busy noise” when pupils are engaged in their work – discussing, arguing and debating – and noise coming from a class that is not working. “Busy noise” is permissible and even desirable. However, when the noise is caused by pupils chatting, shouting across the classroom to one another and generally wasting their time, then it must be stopped at once. Even “busy noise” should be low as there may be pupils who need quiet. It is important to train the class to work within the norm of consideration for others.
Enjoy it!
Maha
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Dear Maha,
ReplyDeleteYour point about noise is a very good one. When the administrator of a school feels that the only good class is a completely silent one, teaching and learning are likely to be less effective - certainly in a language class, where practice is central to learning. You're absolutely right about the need to have ground rules in order to keep a large class on task and the noise manageable. Do you have some sample ground rules that you could share with the group?
Yours,
Deborah