In-Class Ideas

Discipline Strategies

What are Discipline Issues & Approaches?

Ask Yourself…

  • What are the common causes of discipline problems in your classroom and are there specific strategies or techniques that you can use to affect the discipline in the classroom?

To start this section it is worth noting that we are very lucky to work with adults in Continuing Education. Generally our students are very motivated and there are generally few discipline problems in our classrooms. However, occasionally they do occur and this page will hopefully give you some ideas and techniques to deal with them effectively.

Benefits of Having Discipline Strategies

  • Creates a positive learning environment
  • Allows all members of the learning community (group) to achieve their learning goals
  • Allows you to more effectively facilitate student learning
  • Allows you to identify “true” discipline problems
  • Gives you strategies to deal with discipline problems

So, Why Worry about Discipline at all?

The focus of any discipline strategy or approach should be to get the students re-focused on their job: learning.

The bottom line is that, as teachers, we have the responsibility to create a learning environment where all members of the learning community (students and teacher) can effectively achieve their and the courses learning objectives. Sometimes this means that we have to deal with discipline issues.

To learn more:

Extend Your Learning 

This video is aimed at middle school education, but is included here as it an excellent review of the principles for actively engaging and motivating students in the classroom. Engaged and motivated students don’t disrupt the purpose of the classroom: effective student learning. The video reviews how to create positive relationships, state and use expectations, effective in-class strategies and the purpose of assessment. As you watch/listen to the video, think about how you would adapt these engagement/motivation principles to the college classroom.