“Fridays are Video Days” Presented by: T. Brown, J. Dills, P. Douthett, K. Helms, J. Kohn and C. Lancaster

Introduction In this presentation we will cover Case 2, from A Casebook for Exploring Diversity by George and Angela Redman. This case presents the scenario of a teacher who, on Fridays, rewards her students with a video related to the course content. She also gives them the opportunity to choose to work on extra credit, or get personal help from Ms. Hanson during this time. Each Friday she encounters inappropriate behavior from a particular group of students.

Rationale for Maintaining Friday Video Days Students have an extra credit opportunity Gives students a reason to work hard Allows Ms. Hanson to give extra help

Do We Agree with Ms. Hanson?

Pros and Cons of Friday Video Days BenefitsDisadvantages It gives Ms. Hanson a chance to reward student behavior She is not teaching Motivates students to do well each week She is not prepared with consequences Gives the power of choice to the students each Friday She interrupts instead of using nonverbal language Changes up weekly activities to keep students interested She conveys rules in a condescending manner Gives those who need it personal attention and extra help She lacks confidence in her capabilities

Changes to Benefit All Students Ms. Hanson Could… Change up her Fridays Use movies as a occasional reward Do a fun hands- on activity as a reward Continue Friday Movies Split up the boys Divide the class between movie and extra credit

Ethical Dilemmas An ethical dilemma is a problem or situation that requires a person to choose between alternatives that must be evaluated as right or wrong. This case presents an ethical dilemma by giving the students the choice between the “right” thing – the extra credit, and the “wrong” thing – watching the movie.

The “Right” Choice Each choice could be the “right” choice Movie – If students behaved appropriately during the movie, it could be the right choice. Extra Credit – Could be the right choice for students to earn extra points and get ahead.

Ms. Hanson’s Own Dilemma Ms. Hanson experiences an ethical dilemma of her own: She is forced to choose between helping the students who needed it, and redirecting the disruptive students’ behavior. She is troubled by not being able to work with her students as much as she would like due to the disruptive talking.

A Successful Teacher Is… A successful restaurant is ready when the table is ready, the dining room is ready, and the staff is ready. A successful teacher is ready when the work is ready, the room is ready, and the teacher is ready.

The Most Important Word to a Teacher Preparation The effective teacher must always be prepared

Effective Classroom Management Learn to use nonverbal language... "A nod, a smile, a stare, a frown, a raised eyebrow, or a gesture is often all that is needed, and it does not even disturb the class at work” The number one problem in the classroom is not discipline: it is the lack or procedures and routines. Ms. Hanson should improve her classroom management skills and her classroom procedures in order to have a more effective Friday.

Conclusion In this case we found several ways that Ms. Hanson could have modified her routine on Friday to better reach all of her students, including ways for her to improve classroom management skills. Ms. Hanson could establish effective procedures for movie watching on Fridays that would include standards for volume during the movie, and dividing the class in two groups, those who watch the movie and those who do extra credit. Ms. Hanson could also change her routine on Fridays and do a learning activity with her students. This would allow Ms. Hanson to reach more types of learners (Kinesthetic) and give her students something fun to do on a Friday. We thought eliminating Friday movie days was the best solution.

Sources A Casebook for Exploring Diversity by Angela and George Redman Harry Wong Classroom Management things-we-miss-about-90s things-we-miss-about-90s prepared-for-meals/