Classroom & Exam Management Tips for Teachers

Introduction

As a teacher, you are the one who is responsible for making sure that your students learn and progress. You have to make sure that the classroom atmosphere is conducive to learning, and this can be achieved through several different factors. While some teachers might choose to use pre-made materials or teacher guides when teaching their classes, others prefer creating their materials from scratch. If you're in the former category—and even if you're not—teachers should always strive to set clear expectations for their students so that they know what's expected of them:

Setting Clear Expectations: The Foundation for Exam Readiness

The cornerstone of a thriving exam classroom is setting clear expectations. Students thrive in a structured environment where they understand what's expected of them. Here's how to establish a foundation for success:

• Communicate Your Expectations: Outline your expectations for classroom behavior, participation, and academic performance. This includes defining deadlines, grading policies, and outlining procedures for missed assignments or tests.
• Course Syllabus: Utilize a comprehensive syllabus that details the course schedule, learning objectives, required materials, assessment methods, and grading rubrics. Share this document electronically through Google Classroom or a Learning Management System (LMS) and provide a printed copy for students who prefer a physical format.
• Utilize Google Classroom: This free platform is a fantastic tool for managing coursework, distributing assignments, and keeping students informed. Regularly post updates, announcements, and learning resources within Google Classroom.

A Well-Defined Roadmap to Success

Organization is paramount for both teachers and students. A well-organized classroom fosters a sense of calm and allows students to focus on their studies.

• Detailed Schedule: Create a detailed schedule outlining the course content, upcoming assessments, and deadlines. Utilize Google Classroom's "Classes" section to create a calendar showcasing all tests, assignments, and their respective due dates.
• Resource Sharing: Provide students with easy access to all class materials, including lecture notes, presentations, assignments, and supplementary learning resources. Share these materials electronically through Google Classroom or a dedicated class website.

Fostering Engagement: Keeping Students Motivated Throughout the Exam Journey

Keeping students engaged is crucial for maximizing learning and boosting exam performance. Here are some strategies to keep your classroom dynamic and exciting:

• Interactive Activities: Incorporate interactive activities, quizzes, polls, and discussions into your lessons. This not only keeps students engaged but also allows you to gauge their understanding of the material.
• Varied Teaching Methods: Don't rely solely on traditional lecture-style teaching. Incorporate multimedia presentations, group projects, debates, and simulations to cater to different learning styles.
• Technology Integration: Leverage technology to enhance your lessons. Tools like online simulations, educational games, and collaborative platforms can create a more engaging learning environment.

Create a schedule on Google Classroom about all the classes and respective tests along with when they will be conducted.

This is a great way to make sure that students know when their tests are happening and where they need to be. When you create your Google Classroom, click on the “Classes” section and then “Create a class.” Once you have created your class, click on the name of it in the left-hand column. You can then edit the description of this class and add information like what type of assignment or test will be given during this period and how much weight each assignment or test counts for in total (you can also set these at different percentages). On top of that, if there is an outside resource that needs to be used for this specific type of assignment or test (like a website), you can link directly from inside Google Classroom instead of having students go out into another browser window or tab on their computers/devices.

To make sure everyone sees all assignments listed out with dates, times, and locations visible along with any other relevant details such as the number of questions per essay question type along with its grading scale like A+ = 100 points, etc., we recommend creating one large calendar showing all tests being conducted over several weeks so parents can see exactly what days/time slots their child has off school work.

Share recorded video lectures along with notes and extra learning material after classes. Is it possible that your students missed the message?

After you send a class announcement, follow up with a quick email.

• Follow up with a quick email. The key is to make students feel like you care about them and their success, even if it’s something as simple as sending an email or text. It's also important to build rapport with students before the exam period begins so that they know you're there for them during this critical time of year.
• Share recorded video lectures along with notes and extra learning material after classes. Is it possible that your students missed the message? After you send a class announcement, follow up with a quick email.
• Share what went well at each session: “I loved how we had so much fun discussing X today!” If it was great content but boring delivery, try varying your style (iPad presentation vs whiteboard work) next time around - but always include the same information!

End your class with a fun activity.

It is important to keep your students engaged at all times. The best way to do this is with a fun activity! Some examples of fun activities are:

• Bounce in place while singing the ABCs
• Play "Simon Says" until they get tired of it and want you to stop (this may require you to hide behind your desk)

If you don't keep your students engaged, they may become bored and wander off to look for something better to do. Who wants that?

Need help administering classroom attendance?

Try Google Meet Attendance Tracker Chrome Extension by BoloForms Signature

A classroom management tool can help you keep track of attendance, grades, and other details.

BoloForms Signature Attendance Tracker is a handy Chrome extension that allows you to track the attendance of all the students who are in Google Meet. What's better? They check for attendance every 5 minutes and this makes sure that students are present inside the class for the entire duration of the lecture.

The tool will help you keep track of students' attendance in your class by allowing you to be free from the manual work of entering names and classes in a spreadsheet. Everything is done automatically.

Want to make sure students don't cheat on their exams?

Try using BoloForms Signature Timer + Proctor to have an automated proctoring and reporting solution for the tests!

Want to make sure students don't cheat on their exams? Try using BoloForms Timer + Proctor to have an automated proctoring and reporting solution for the tests!

BoloForms Timer + Proctor is an automated proctoring and reporting solution for tests. It helps you create proctored tests and quizzes in Google Forms, monitor student attempts in real time, and provide reports with student anomalies making your online invigilation easy.

BoloForms Timer + Proctor is a Google Forms add-on, and it works with Google Forms. This free tool helps you to create proctored tests and quizzes in Google Forms, monitor students' attempts in real-time, and provide a report with student anomalies and trust scores making your online invigilation easy.

Make use of peer-learning reviews as well to help grade your students.

You can have your students complete peer-learning reviews in advance of an exam or to help them learn from each other. If you have a test coming up that you want your class to be prepared for, ask all the students to review each other's answers and grade them based on how well they address their specific questions. This will give you an idea of which areas need extra practice before the exam and remind them of what they studied previously while reinforcing those concepts.

You can also use this approach with homework or projects if it's something that needs clarification or improvement before being submitted back into the system itself (such as via Moodle). For example, if there's a project due next week but it is unclear whether everyone understands what's required from them, then having everyone submit their work early beforehand would give everyone time enough so no one feels rushed at last-minute crunch time when everything else is due too!

Keep a box of supplementary tasks for students who finish the homework faster.

If you have students who finish the homework faster than others, keep a box of supplementary tasks for them to work on. This will allow them to use their time meaningfully and challenge them further.

The extra work could be an extension of the original task or even a completely different task that is more challenging. Students can also use it as a chance to show what they have learned in class through their creativity and ideas

You can also use this box to help you see how students are learning. By looking at the work they do on their “extra” tasks, you may identify patterns or problems with certain concepts that are not being addressed in class yet need more attention.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I effectively use technology to manage multiple aspects of my classroom?
Leverage LMS like Google Classroom to centralize instructional materials, track assignments, and maintain communication. Tools like BoloForms enhance attendance and exam proctoring.

What are some effective ways to engage students who seem disinterested?
Incorporate varied instructional methods, including multimedia, practical activities, and personalized learning paths to cater to different interests and learning styles.

How can I ensure fairness and academic integrity during exams?
Utilize online proctoring tools, clear academic integrity guidelines, and regular reminders about the importance of honesty in academic pursuits.

What strategies can help reduce exam anxiety among students?
Offer preparatory sessions, practice exams, and relaxation techniques. Ensure students are well-prepared and familiar with exam formats and expectations.

Conclusion

Teachers are often under pressure to meet the demands of their students. But there are many ways you can manage your classroom and exam management so that you can teach effectively, while also making sure that learning is fun and engaging!

Effective classroom management and exam preparation require a proactive approach, integrating clear communication, engaging teaching methods, and appropriate use of technology. By establishing a supportive and structured environment, teachers can enhance learning outcomes and ensure that students are well-prepared for their exams. This comprehensive approach not only fosters academic success but also contributes to the overall well-being of students.