Dashaiyani a/p Santhirasekaran

921118-05-5442
Individual task
Boys Behaviour Girls Behaviour
Quarelling Sleeping in class
Bullying Talking during lesson
Did not complete homework Eating in the class
Stealing Doodling

In my opinion, I think Rudolf Dreikurs classroom discipline model is suitable to address
the problem behavior of boys and girls (as seen in the table above) in a Year 6 classroom to
ensure smooth running of teaching and learning process. Here are several reasons why I
choose Dreikurs model to encounter the problems above. Firstly, Dreikurs points out that
discipline at its best is seen in student self-control, based on social interest. Moreover, based on
http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/jshindl/cm/Dreikurs%20abstract.htm notes, Rudolf Dreikurs
(1897-1972) believed that discipline is based on mutual respect, which motivates students to
behave constructively because of their high sense of social interest. As a teacher, we should
able to understand the students needs so that they feel respected and this motivates students
to behave beneficially. For example, when both boys and girls are displaying unpleasant
behaviors such as quarrelling, sleeping in the classroom, taking during lesson, the teacher can
personally talks to the students and advise them. Hence, this helps the students to be accepted
and have a sense of belonging in the classroom. In the other words, the teacher and students
can work together to make decision to overcome discipline problems.
Secondly, Dreikurs model helps students as the teacher can facilitate students to
exchange their mistaken goals for useful ones with a proper guidance. Thus, I think it is suitable
to address the problem behavior as stated in the table. Clifford (2008) argued that mistaken
goals occur when students are unable to gain sense of belonging in the classroom. As a result,
they turn these mistaken goals into attention-seeking, power-seeking, revenge-seeking and
inadequacy. As an idea to combat disciple problems with reference of Dreikurs theory,
(discipline through democratic teaching) a teacher should be able to identify the mistaken goal
in a student. Firstly, teachers can observe their own response to the misbehavior and at the
same time observe the students reactions too. Then, the teacher should confront the mistaken
goal. This can be done by providing an explanation together with a discussion. For example, if a
student often bullies others in the class for attention seeking, the teacher talks or explains the
Dashaiyani a/p Santhirasekaran
921118-05-5442
negative impacts of his behavior to him. By doing this, students usually examine and change
their behavior. Therefore, this promotes smooth running of teaching and learning process.
Next, Rudolf Dreikurs classroom discipline models explains that his ideas for working
with children on the use of logical consequences.
Logical consequences are contrived and then applied as necessary to influence
students behavior.
(Dreikurs &Grey, 1968.)
This quotation explains that when the teacher implement this logical consequences that is
recognize connection between behavior and consequence, students are able to behave
constructively. C.M Charles (1991), in his book Building Classroom Discipline indicates that
teachers should explain that good behavior, shown in the following rules, bring pleasant
consequences and on the other hand misbehavior brings unpleasant consequences. This model
is suitable as the teachers and students should produce classroom rules and regulation to
overcome discipline problems. For example, when students tries to violate the classroom rules
such as stealing, eating in the class, doodling and so on, they have to bear the unpleasant
consequences such as having to complete their homework at home or exclude them from
normal classroom activities. Thus, implementing logical consequences in the classroom
encourages students to behave in a well manner and indirectly, teaching and learning process
can be carried out easily.
Besides that, Dreikurs model does not support the use of punishment and praise. As a
way to approach the problem behavior as shown in the table, Dreikurs urges teachers to use
encouragement. Kristen Giambrone & Christine Ricca (2009) explain that encouragement is a
much healthier way to positively reinforce students because it does not associate a students
worth with what he or she achieves. For instance, although a student did not complete his or her
homework, the teacher should encourage him or her by saying some positive encouragement
words. Encouragement words such, Oh, I think u have tried your best in completing this
homework, allows students to evaluate their own performance. This makes them to feel
confident, accepted and respect by the teachers. Furthermore, this theory is supported by
Clifford (2008) in his book Classroom Discipline & Management. He says that
when children exhibit more realistic confidence in their abilities, they are less likely to
cause discipline problems.
Dashaiyani a/p Santhirasekaran
921118-05-5442
Therefore, this shows that when students are motivates with encouragement, they tend to
change their misbehavior which helps teachers to run the classroom smoothly.
Lastly, I feel that Dreikurs model suggests that discussion in the classroom helps to
prevent discipline problems. Therefore, Dreikurs theory fits the purpose in handling misbehavior
students as listed in the table above. Moreover, Clifford (2008) points out that group influence
can have positive impact on the behavior of almost all children. It not deniable that group
discussion helps students to improve their interpersonal skills and effective communication but
this also assists the students to be the part of the discussion so that they are accepted in the
group. For example, teachers should promote active, voluntary participation and makes sure
that students are free to express themselves in the group without feeling intimated.
The mutual respect that is thus generated will encourage the free exchange of the
ideas and a great tolerance for one another. Proper classroom order can be expected as
a result .
(Clifford. 2008.Classroom Discipline & Management pg:116)
Thus, when students engage in the classroom discussion, this helps to minimize the unwanted
behavior from the students and this ensures the classroom activities can be carried out
smoothly as stated in above quotation.
In short, I prefer to implement Dreikurs discipline model in managing the situation as
stated in the table above. This is because Dreikurs model focuses on democratic classroom as
the need of teachers to understand the students motives and confronting with students
mistaken goals. Furthermore, it is important that the teacher uses logical consequences and
encouragement to promote a better behavior in students. Last but not least group discussions
also help teachers to prevent discipline problems.