Sociology of the Classroom

Sociology of the Classroom
Sociology, as defined by Thompson (1994), is one division in the family of social sciences that seeks to explain patterns of human behavior. The social environment is not only happen in our daily lives but also in our education especially in the classroom. As Boli (2002) writes, “Education has become a global social process that both reflects and helps create the global society that is under formation.” This assumes that education is a combination of social acts and it deals with human interaction.
But what is educational sociology? It is the scientific analysis of the social processes and patterns involved in the educational system (Pavalko, 1976). Do the teachers need to know the educational sociology? Of course, yes. The educational sociology is needed for the teachers to collect many techniques that are required in classroom teaching. Such techniques includes; understanding the students’ characteristics, applying good interaction in the classroom, how to teach the norms by teachers as a moral educator, understanding teacher-student relationship and communication, and knowing each teacher and student’s social roles. Without the understanding of each other, I bet the class will not work as comfort as our expected. As stated in the Deuteronomy 10:19 saying that, “Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” This verse says that God encourages hospitality that is not limited to close friends. As we know also that we are all stranger before we get to know each others. This is why this paper is made up.
I believe that teachers know that they have different students. Teachers know that every student learn in their different ways; it confirms in our daily teaching. But somehow, teachers forget too. We often forget that our students are all different; we treat them in the same way. But if it happens continually, are we still a good teacher? Are we the teachers who will bring the transformational education? These questions never popped out from my head until I did my first practicum.
From the http://sloanconsortium.org/effective_practices/knowing-behavior-patterns-helps-teaching-and-learning, it stated that there are four patterns of behavior that are important to know when teaching and learning. They are: * Aggressive Independent (AI)
Highly energized, action oriented people. They are risk takers. They are leaders. * Aggressive Dependent (AD)
Highly energized but direct their energy toward obtaining approval. They have superior intellectual capabilities and interact closely with instructors and participate actively in class. They are leaders but self-critical. * Passive Independent (PI)
They are stubborn but withdraw or become inactive when stressed. Control over authority is a primary goal. They tend not to participate in class. * Passive Dependent (PD)
They are low energy students who thrive on affection and approval. They are extremely sensitive and do more than required. They are kind, gentle people.
Through my practicum, I got so many lessons included the students’ behaviors. I did not only have one or two, but 24 students of my class, and the other 42 students from the other two classes that I helped. Can people imagine how difficult it is to treat that many students with lot of characters according to their own characters? But that is the challenges yet the joy of being a teacher. My first time stepped in the classroom, not all students accepted me easily. It made me only acted nicely to the one who can accept me. Then, I realized that, this was not good as I thought I should not be here if I still too picky to them.
As days went by, I tried to get to know my students. I ate and talked with them during the break time then I knew the whys behind their behaviors. Though it just a short time, but it is good enough to open my eyes widely about students’ behavior. One of my students is really quite in the class; she never answered my question even though it was not about the lesson. She just followed what her friends doing. Then I knew what is the matter with her; language. Even though the school is an English-speaking program, we can not expect that the students are all good in English. I also have the student who always makes mess in the class. He does not have anyone at home to play with, that is why he always seeking for attention from everybody.
For some children, school is an exercise in daily frustration and humiliation (Source: Royalty-Free / Corbis). It happens with some of my students, they are consists of the slow learners one. They are really like to cry and ask “What time is it, Miss? How many lessons left? I want to go home. I do not want to go to school.” They do not want to join any of class’ activities which is sometimes ruined the lesson plan. I talked to my mentor and from their nannies, we knew that their parents never talked about school, lesson, why studying and so on. They never impart their kids that school is good to join in. When it comes to school and study, they see it as a burden. The same pattern is evident in behavioral areas with hyperactive students like aggressive independent explanation above.
To understand students ' behaviors, we need to look at the roots of their actions. These sociological insights understanding are surely needed in our teaching and learning. We should know that students perceive and gain knowledge differently; students form ideas and think differently, students’ emotional responses and values differ, students act differently. We should never judge, never biased, never hate but, love and get to know students’ backgrounds to make personal connections with them. The children are a gift from God and therefore to be appreciated. Bible said in Psalm 127: 3, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is His reward.” God asked us to see children as a heritage not a grief. We should appreciate every positive and efforts act in their learning.
As we have already explained and learned the patterns of behavior, we should have one goal that we will reach through our journey as teachers. For me, I am going to treat my students according to what Galatians 6:1 and Ephesians 4:2 say, that we should help each other biblically with a spirit of gentleness (gentleness here means give the sense of peace and humility), and with all humility and gentleness. Nevertheless, I will keep them with their acts and later I will take time to have a conversation, and dig as much information as I can, tries to search the problem from the root not from the surface. It will also help students to maintain their own self-controls.
I am not going to act in anger but in gentleness. 2 Timothy 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;” It clearly says that if we want to correct people, correct it with gentleness. Mr. Garry Miller, the Executive Vice Chancellor of my university said that if you have problem with your friend, go to them and make it right, but do it with gentleness (1 Peter 3:15). I will do it in my classroom later on.

List of References
Ballantine, Jeanne H. and Roberts, Keith A. (2007). Our Social World: Introduction to Sociology. Canada: Pine Forge Press.

Champbell, Elizabeth. (2003). The Ethical Teacher, pp. 52. Philadelphia, PA: Open University Press.

Dziuban, Charles (2012, September 30). Knowing Behavior Pattern Helps Teaching and Learning. Retrieved from http://sloanconsortium.org/effective_prac ices/knowing-behavior-patterns-helps-teaching-and-learning

Guild, Pat Burke. (2012, September 30). John Hompkins Education, New Horizon: Diversity, Learning Style and Culture. Retrieved from http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/strategies/topics/Learning%20Styles/diversity.html

Haycock, Ruth. C. (1993). Encyclopedia of Bible Truths: Social Studies. Purposeful Design Publications.

Highland Council Education, Culture and Sport Service. (2012, September 30). Behaviour Management: Learning and Teaching should be Inclusive and Enjoyable. Retrieved from http://www.highlandschools-virtualib.org.uk/ltt/inclusive_enjoyable/behaviour_m.htm

Thompson, Kenrick. (1994). Sociology: An Introduction (5th Edition). United States of America: McGraw-Hill.

References: Ballantine, Jeanne H. and Roberts, Keith A. (2007). Our Social World: Introduction to Sociology. Canada: Pine Forge Press. Champbell, Elizabeth. (2003). The Ethical Teacher, pp. 52. Philadelphia, PA: Open University Press. Dziuban, Charles (2012, September 30). Knowing Behavior Pattern Helps Teaching and Learning. Retrieved from http://sloanconsortium.org/effective_prac ices/knowing-behavior-patterns-helps-teaching-and-learning Guild, Pat Burke. (2012, September 30). John Hompkins Education, New Horizon: Diversity, Learning Style and Culture. Retrieved from http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/strategies/topics/Learning%20Styles/diversity.html Haycock, Ruth. C. (1993). Encyclopedia of Bible Truths: Social Studies. Purposeful Design Publications. Highland Council Education, Culture and Sport Service. (2012, September 30). Behaviour Management: Learning and Teaching should be Inclusive and Enjoyable. Retrieved from http://www.highlandschools-virtualib.org.uk/ltt/inclusive_enjoyable/behaviour_m.htm Thompson, Kenrick. (1994). Sociology: An Introduction (5th Edition). United States of America: McGraw-Hill.