The aim of this master′s thesis is to present classroom as a social community, focusing on teacher’s work.
In the theoretical part, the thesis describes the history of schooling in Slovenian geographical area and defines concepts such as group, teacher, student and classroom. The most typical and commonly used classroom management styles are also presented.
Data for the qualitative research are obtained from three class teachers who voluntarily participate in the research. Each teacher is observed over three days, with the aim to explore the four pre-defined items: teacher′ s classroom management, lesson structure, teacher-student communication, student-teacher interaction. Observations are followed by semi-structured interviews.
The findings of this research show that each teacher has her own way of managing the class. Two of the observed teachers employ authoritative teaching style, creating classroom atmosphere based on their own values, trying to achieve the right balance between authority and agreements, and educating students to become independent and responsible persons. These two teachers have clear boundaries with rules. Furthermore, they inform students of the penalties in advance. The third teacher employs authoritarian approach with frontal teaching practices, where students are in inferior position. The teacher has high expectations for her students. Consequently, as seen from the classroom observation, the students are very careful to follow her directions without asking why. What is more, they are waiting to assess her mood every morning. Depending on her mood, the students are either relaxed or more reserved during the lesson. Contrarily, the first two teachers take a relaxed, relationship-oriented authoritative approach to classroom management, where students have clear rules and agreements to follow, they are happy, they know how to smile and they participate in class.
Considering that classroom is a living thing, which grows and develops, we cannot emphasise just one, most appropriate classroom management style. It is necessary to keep pace with changing times as well as students’ needs.
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