An Investigation of Teacher Candidates' Perceptions About Physical Dimension of Classroom Management

M Sencer Bulut Ozsezer,Ayten Iflazoglu Saban

doi:10.12973/eu-jer.6.2.199

Abstract

<p style="text-align:justify">The purpose of this research is to investigate teacher candidates’ perceptions about the physical dimension of classroom management. A hundred two 3rd year students at the Primary School Education Department of a state university were instructed to visit a primary school and to observe a classroom in terms of its physical dimensions. The students were guided both to tell about the actual classroom they observed and to tell about their dream classroom. Thus, this study aims to discover students’ perception on actual classroom and their construction of dream classroom in terms of physical characteristics. The research findings revealed that most of the teacher candidates mentioned their dream classroom according to the actual classroom and only one third of them designed the classroom according to their own dream classroom characteristics. Also teacher candidates did not mention the affective influences of physical layouts and environments on individuals.</p>

Highlights

The classroom is a socio-psychological and structured educational environment which takes an important place in students’ lives (Proshansky & Fabian, 1987)
Teacher candidates did not mention the affective influences of physical layouts and environments on individuals
It was seen that the teacher candidates paid attention to components such as high traffic area and equipment in the physical dimension of the classroom but they emphasized only a few of the physical variables

Summary

Introduction

The classroom is a socio-psychological and structured educational environment which takes an important place in students’ lives (Proshansky & Fabian, 1987). The classroom must make the student feel its difference from the other rooms, guide them to positive behaviours, represent a safe and peaceful environment and reflect what it is related to (Cardellino, Leiringer, & Clements-Croome, 2009). The classroom should create an effect as a student-friendly atmosphere (Cardellino et al, 2009). The experiences of students about the school building are generally limited with their points of view about the classroom in which they are educated (Proshansky & Fabian, 1987). There is a strong belief about the effectiveness of positive classroom perception on the development of students’ learning skills (Cardellion et al, 2009)

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion