A cooperative discipline is a unique approach to maintaining order in the classroom and ensuring students benefit from learning. This classroom management program is based on three premises: students need to belong, their misbehavior stems from particular reasons, and students need to have a voice in decisions that affect them (Regional Training Center, 2020). These theoretical assumptions can be efficiently incorporated into the classroom management plan and contribute to the students being more cooperative.
Specifically, the idea that students need to be part of decisions that directly impact them in school can translate into students being more willing to collaborate with others. According to Franklin and Harrington (2019), involvement in classroom management results in a heightened sense of control and self-determination in students. Thus, an effective strategy is to involve students in setting the list of rules for the classroom as well as the consequences associated with misbehavior. In addition, students are more willing to cooperate with teachers, administrators, and their peers if they feel comfortable at school (Adhikari, 2021). Nevertheless, interpersonal conflicts can often take place in school. Therefore, each of the students can be asked for their input on how to better resolve disagreements and other issues they are personally involved in.
Furthermore, collaboration with the students’ parents or guardians is essential in cooperative disciplines. Teachers need to gain more insight into family backgrounds and issues that may impact their education and behavior at school (Venugopal, 2019). Thus, regular meetings with the parents of the students should be scheduled in order to comprehend student needs and behaviors. In summary, cooperative discipline urges teachers to include students in the decision-making process and focuses on understanding the causes of misbehavior rather than punitive measures.
References
Adhikari, N. P. (2021). Pedagogical approaches for effective classroom management. Interdisciplinary Research in Education, 6(1), 45–56. Web.
Franklin, H., & Harrington, I. (2019). A review into effective classroom management and strategies for student engagement: Teacher and student roles in today’s classrooms. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 7(12), 1–12. Web.
The Regional Training Center. (2020). Cooperative Discipline Overview [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Venugopal, P. (2019). Teaching angels to fly. Indian Journal of Continuing Nursing Education, 20(1), 3–7. Web.