Process Inside Schools

Educational Processes Inside Schools

The Classroom Environment

The classroom environment significantly impacts the learning process and student behaviour.
It includes aspects like the physical layout, rules and routines, and the sociocultural atmosphere.
An environment that fosters respect, collaboration, and open communication is ideal for productive learning.
Sociologists emphasise the importance of creating a classroom environment that nurtures equity, ensuring all learners are treated fairly and have equal opportunities to succeed.

Teaching Styles

Teachers employ various teaching styles, often combining multiple approaches, to cater to the diverse needs of learners.
Some proven effective styles include cooperative learning, where students work in teams and learn through peer interaction.
The directive style involves explicit instruction and is often used to teach factual content. In contrast, the facilitative style prompts students to discover knowledge through problem-solving or inquiry-based tasks.
The effectiveness of a teaching style can depend significantly on the nature of the content and the learner’s unique needs and preferences.

Teacher Expectations and Labelling

Teacher expectations and the labelling of students can profoundly impact a learner’s academic performance and self-concept.
Labelling theory, proposed by Howard Becker, suggests that the labels or classifications that teachers place on students can influence their self-perception, behaviour, and ultimately, their achievement.
For example, if a teacher labels a learner as ‘low-achiever’, the student might internalise this label, perform poorly, and even develop a poor self-image.
This effect is known as the self-fulfilling prophecy, which emphasises understanding not just the initial label but also the process by which the label becomes a reality.

School Curriculum

The school curriculum is a comprehensive plan that outlines what students should know and be able to accomplish within a specific grade or course.
It also includes the instructional strategies teachers will use, the resources needed, and the methods of assessment.
Sociologists highlight the importance of a balanced curriculum that caters to not just cognitive development but also social and emotional growth.
Critiques often point to the hidden curriculum, an unspoken or unofficial form of lessons students learn about norms, values, and beliefs through the school’s daily routines and interactions. For instance, punctuality, respect for authority and conformity are often implicitly taught.

Student Stratification

Stratification refers to the arrangement or classification of something into different groups.
In the education context, stratification happens when students are grouped or ‘streamed’ based on perceived academic ability. This can lead to teaching geared towards the ability of each group.
This process can lead to different achievement outcomes, reinforcing the division between high achievers and low achievers.
Critics of stratification argue that it can create an environment that favours certain groups over others, leading to educational inequality.