Kounin's Theories on Lesson Management and Discipline in the Classroom

 

Kounin's theories on lesson management and discipline in the classroom shaped education as we know it. This article will discuss his basic theories known as withitness, momentum, smoothness, group alerting, accountability, overlapping and satiation. CONTENT: Kounin's theories on lesson management and discipline in the classroom shaped education as we know it. Kounin was an educational psychologist who "became known for his detailed investigations into the effects of classroom management and lesson management on student behavior." (Charles & Senter, 2004, pp.56). This article will discuss his basic theories known as withitness, momentum, smoothness, group alerting, accountability, overlapping and satiation (Charles & Senter, 2004, pp.56).

Withitness

This simple term means to know what is happening in all areas of the classroom at all moments. Teachers are much like managers because they must know what is going on with all the students just like a manager must know what all the employees are doing.

Momentum

Kounin described this skill as "starting lessons with dispatch, keeping lessons moving ahead, making transitions among activities efficiently, and bringing lessons to a satisfactory close" (Charles & Senter, 2004, pp.58). Momentum keeps the lesson moving. It creates discipline through lesson management.

Smoothness

This ability is important in a classroom in order to keep students focused on the lesson. Management of distractions and consistency will add to discipline throughout the lesson. Smoothness keeps students involved and active in the classroom.

Group Alerting

Lesson Management and discipline rely on group alerting to keep students focused in the busy classroom. Successful teachers have "systems for gaining student attention and clarifying expectations" ( Charles & Senter, 2004, pp. 58).

Accountability

Effective lesson management is achieved through the theory of accountability. Teachers can manage a classroom and instill discipline in students by making sure to keep them accountable for the actions and their learning. This method should be practiced "regularly calling on students to respond, demonstrate, or explain" (Charles & Senter, 2004, pp.59).

Overlapping

When trying to instill discipline in a classroom overlapping is a valuable tool. Overlapping requires teachers to focus on more than one area of the classroom at the same time. A teacher must be able to "attend to two or more events simultaneously" (Charles & Senter, 2004, pp.60). This lesson skill will achieve lesson management in a classroom and promote discipline.

Satiation

In effective lesson management a teacher will inspire and maintain a students involvement, but a teacher must also monitor it. Effective lesson management requires a teacher to know when "students have had their fill of the topic as indicated through disengagement, boredom, and misbehavior" (Charles & Senter, 2004, pp.61). Discipline in the classroom is easier to achieve when students remain interested in the subject matter. It is important for a teacher to know when to move on.

Kounin's theories on lesson management and discipline in the classroom are still held in high regards in our educational system today. Teachers must understand and utilize the theories of withitness, momentum, smoothness, overlapping, group alerting, accountability, overlapping, and satiation to effective instill discipline through lesson management.

Reference:

Charles, C. M., & Senter, G. W. (2004).Building Classroom Discipline (8th Edition)(8 ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Kounin's Educational Theories on Management and Discipline

Kounin's educational theories on management and discipline have had a positive impact on education for many years now. Management and discipline in the classroom are important if the students and teacher are to be successful in the learning process. This article will discuss the key points of Kounin's educational theories on management and discipline.

Awareness is one of the key points of Kounin's theories on educational management and discipline. This idea means that a teacher must constantly be aware of what is going on in the classroom. This is difficult, but it can occur through use of routine and organization.

Momentum is another part of Kounin's theories, and it keeps productivity flowing. Momentum is the part of educational management and discipline that keeps the lessons moving along. It is the flow of the introduction, lesson, activities, and conclusion. It keeps students involved and the lesson flowing.

Smoothness is an important part of educational management and discipline that Kounin described in his theories. Smoothness requires a teacher to keep students attentive to the lesson at hand. Smoothness means to handle interruptions easily and maintain the structure of the lesson despite problems that arise.

Keeping the group alert is another aspect of Kounin's educational theories on management and discipline. Group alerting is a skill teachers must obtain in order to manage and discipline the students. This skill requires a teacher to have manners in which to check the awareness and attention of the students through positive interaction.

Accountability is positive point of Kounin's educational theories that will increase discipline in the classroom while teaching students how to manage themselves. Holding students accountable for their learning is important to the learning process. This point requires that a teacher interact with students through questions and conversation.

Classroom discipline and management can be hard when satiation occurs. Kounin's educational theories suggest that a teacher must be aware of when the students have drawn enough knowledge of a lesson. If the students are to be managed and disciplined effectively lessons should not continue to the point of boredom or satiation. Maintaining interest and enthusiasm of a subject is very important to educational management and discipline in the classroom.

Understanding Kounin's educational theories on management and discipline is important when trying to be a good teacher. The key points in Kounin's theories on education, management, and discipline can highly impact the success of a teacher in the classroom.