The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

A new Senate report sounds alarm bells on student behaviour. Here are 4 things to help teachers in the classroom

  • Written by Zid Niel Mancenido, Lecturer, Harvard University

Managing 20-30 adults in one room is a challenge for even the best managers. Swap the adults for children and you have what classroom teachers do every day.

Student behaviour and engagement in class are some of the biggest problems worrying Australian teachers and education experts. According to a 2022 report[1], Australian classrooms rank among the OECD’s most disorderly. This can range from low-level behaviours such as talking, not following instructions and using a mobile phone in class, to destruction of property, physical and verbal abuse.

This makes it harder for students to learn and more stressful for teachers to teach.

For the past year, a Liberal-chaired Senate inquiry[2] has been looking at “increasing disruption in Australian school classrooms”.

Following an interim report[3] in December 2023, the final report[4] was released on Wednesday evening.

What is in the report?

On top of its previous recommendation[5] to introduce a “behaviour curriculum” (to “help students understand their school’s behavioural expectations and values”), the committee now recommends a further inquiry into “declining academic standards” in Australian schools.

The report notes the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results[6]. Released in December 2023, this is an international test of 15-year-olds’ knowledge and skills in science, maths and reading:

while Australia’s relative performance has remained mostly unchanged over the last two cycles, Australian students’ overall performance has actually been in steady decline over the past two decades.

Along with the academic component, a PISA questionnaire asked students how often disruptions happened in maths lessons. This included asking whether students do not listen to what the teacher says and whether there is noise and disorder in the classroom.

Australia ranked 33 out of the 37 OECD countries in the survey. Around 40% of Australian students reported they get distracted by using digital devices in maths lessons, while more than 30% said they get distracted by other students using digital devices.

Read more: Are Australian students really falling behind? It depends which test you look at[7]

What could help?

The report also noted the Australian Education Research Organisation’s recent work on behaviour, backed by federal government funding.

In December 2023 the organisation released a paper looking at the evidence[8] on what works to manage classrooms. Last month it also released a guide for teachers[9] based on this research.

Below are four key messages from this work.

A group of students in uniform walking outside.
Australian classrooms rank as among the most disorderly in the OECD. Dean Lewins/AAP

1. Set expectations, routines and rules

Students don’t arrive at school innately knowing what is expected[10] of them. This includes what to do when they are entering and exiting the classroom, wanting to gain their teacher’s attention, completing tasks or moving through the school.

So classroom rules and routines need to be explicitly taught and regularly revised to help students understand and demonstrate them automatically. This then gives them more headspace for learning.

Some expectations should be shared with families, such as arrival routines or expectations about homework.

Teachers should also role-model what they expect of students. This includes arriving to class on time, being organised, and listening to and speaking to students in a consistent and calm manner.

2. Prepare the classroom environment

The way a classroom is set up plays an important role in creating welcoming, calm and functional learning environments.

This can include the way furniture is arranged – so everyone can see and hear the teacher easily – as well as visual displays that are set up to enhance and not distract from learning.

This includes reminders for where students will put their bags, displaying timetables and routines so students know where they need to be and what they need to do.

3. Build student-teacher relationships

If students have a positive connection with their teacher, they are more likely[11] to have a positive attitude towards school. Some ways teachers can establish a strong relationship include greeting students individually at the classroom door every day and interacting with students outside the classroom.

They should regularly “check in” with every student. For example, ask about their weekend, their activities and interests outside of school, such as how their football team is performing or how their dance performance went.

If there are issues, they should deliver feedback constructively. This involves reminding students of the expectations, identifying what they were doing and what they need to do instead and why. After giving feedback, teachers should let go of the incident and start fresh.

Backpacks lined up outside a classroom.
Students should be clear on what the expectations are around behaviour and what to do. Erik Anderson/AAP

Read more: There's a call for a new 'behaviour curriculum' in Australian schools. Is that a good idea?[12]

4. Respond to behaviour

Even with the best classroom management practices, there will be times when teachers need to handle disengaged or disruptive behaviours[13].

Teachers should be familiar with a combination of non-verbal and verbal “corrections” and escalate responses as needs be.

This includes talking to a student privately one-on-one, at a time that does not interrupt the flow of the lesson. They can also remind the group or whole class of expectations.

Teachers can also use non-verbal strategies, such as moving closer to a student who is not behaving, pausing and looking at a student in a deliberate way to demonstrate they are aware of what is happening. They could also make a gesture (such as a finger to their lips). The focus should always be on supporting students to re-engage in learning rather than punishing them.

Acknowledging and praising students who are meeting behaviour expectations is also as important as addressing disruption. This reinforces the expected behaviours[14] for all students.

A complex issue

Student behaviour is a complex issue and is by no means solely an issue for teachers to fix. As the Senate inquiry heard[15], behaviour can be influenced by socioeconomic factors, bullying, family trauma and disability.

But there are practical things teachers and schools can do to help students engage in their lessons and keep classrooms calm and focused.

References

  1. ^ report (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ Senate inquiry (www.aph.gov.au)
  3. ^ interim report (theconversation.com)
  4. ^ final report (www.aph.gov.au)
  5. ^ previous recommendation (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ results (theconversation.com)
  7. ^ Are Australian students really falling behind? It depends which test you look at (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ looking at the evidence (www.edresearch.edu.au)
  9. ^ guide for teachers (www.edresearch.edu.au)
  10. ^ expected (education.nsw.gov.au)
  11. ^ more likely (www.ccyp.wa.gov.au)
  12. ^ There's a call for a new 'behaviour curriculum' in Australian schools. Is that a good idea? (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ disengaged or disruptive behaviours (grattan.edu.au)
  14. ^ expected behaviours (www.booktopia.com.au)
  15. ^ inquiry heard (parlinfo.aph.gov.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/a-new-senate-report-sounds-alarm-bells-on-student-behaviour-here-are-4-things-to-help-teachers-in-the-classroom-222874

The Times Features

What’s the difference between wholemeal and wholegrain bread? Not a whole lot

If you head to the shops to buy bread, you’ll face a variety of different options. But it can be hard to work out the difference between all the types on sale. For instance...

Expert Tips for Planning Home Electrical Upgrades in Australia

Home electrical systems in Australia are quite intricate and require careful handling. Safety and efficiency determine the functionality of these systems, and it's critical to ...

Floor Tiling: Choosing the Right Tiles for Every Room

Choosing floor tiles is more than just grabbing the first design that catches your eye at the showroom. You need to think about how the floor tiling option will fit into your spa...

Exploring Family Caravans: Your Ultimate Guide to Mobile Living and Travel

Australia is the land of vast horizons, spectacular coastlines, and a never-ending adventure. As landscapes and adventures vary across the country, Voyager will route you, carava...

Energy-Efficient Homes in Geelong: How a Local Electrician Can Help You Save Money

Rising energy bills don’t have to be the new normal. With Victoria’s energy prices up 25% last year, Geelong homeowners are fighting back and winning, by partnering with licenced...

Eating disorders don’t just affect teen girls. The risk may go up around pregnancy and menopause too

Eating disorders impact more than 1.1 million people in Australia[1], representing 4.5% of the population. These disorders include binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and...

Times Magazine

The Power of Digital Signage in Modern Marketing

In a fast-paced digital world, businesses must find innovative ways to capture consumer attention. Digital signage has emerged as a powerful solution, offering dynamic and engaging content that attracts and retains customers. From retail stores to ...

Why Cloud Computing Is the Future of IT Infrastructure for Enterprises

Globally, cloud computing is changing the way business organizations manage their IT infrastructure. It offers cheap, flexible and scalable solutions. Cloud technologies are applied in organizations to facilitate procedures and optimize operation...

First Nations Writers Festival

The First Nations Writers Festival (FNWF) is back for its highly anticipated 2025 edition, continuing its mission to celebrate the voices, cultures and traditions of First Nations communities through literature, art and storytelling. Set to take ...

Improving Website Performance with a Cloud VPS

Websites represent the new mantra of success. One slow website may make escape for visitors along with income too. Therefore it's an extra offer to businesses seeking better performance with more scalability and, thus represents an added attracti...

Why You Should Choose Digital Printing for Your Next Project

In the rapidly evolving world of print media, digital printing has emerged as a cornerstone technology that revolutionises how businesses and creative professionals produce printed materials. Offering unparalleled flexibility, speed, and quality, d...

What to Look for When Booking an Event Space in Melbourne

Define your event needs early to streamline venue selection and ensure a good fit. Choose a well-located, accessible venue with good transport links and parking. Check for key amenities such as catering, AV equipment, and flexible seating. Pla...

LayBy Shopping