An investigation on physics teachers' perceptions and attitude toward classroom management

The aim of this study is to assess the attitudes and perceptions of physics teachers who work in secondary schools in terms of their class management. The general population of the study is composed of physics teachers serving in state and private secondary schools within the Diyarbakır city center during the second semester of the school year 2004-2005. The sampling of the study, however, comprises 63 physics teachers serving in secondary schools in the Diyarbakır city center. In the study two separate data collection methods were used: 1-Multiple-choice questionnaires and open-end questionnaires (Appendix 1-A, Appendix 1-B and Appendix 1-C) 2-Interview conducted a certain period of time after questionnaires (Appendix -2). Statistical analyses of the study were performed by using the SPSS packet programme and the following significant results were obtained. 1- However, it can be seen that physics teachers have a more interventionist. 2- Teachers whose working period in the department of behavioral management varies between 1 to 10 have been observed to exhibit a more interventionist when compared to teachers who have been working for 10 years or more. 3- Physics teachers are experiencing difficulties rather due to excessive lesson load. 4- Among the students unpleasant behaviors are negative prejudice against physics and absenteeism, smoking in school, theft, use of slang when they talk to each other, use of physical aggression to each other, talking to teachers with slang and use of violence towards teachers, failure due to economic problems, and cheating in the exams. 5- Of physics teachers, nearly 50 % have pointed out that they had sufficient teacher education at university, while the other 50 % have said that they did not have adequate education. Those teachers who believe that they had insufficient teacher education at university feel themselves to be inadequate particularly in applying physics methods. 6- According to physics teachers, the male students are more prone to disruptive behaviors in classrooms, school and laboratory with respect to the female students On the basis of findings obtained from this study and the results summarized above, the following recommendations have been made: 1- It is noticeable that physics teachers show a interventionist attitude in class management, particularly in behavioral management sub-dimension. The reason for this need to be investigated and the necessary constructive measures should be taken. 2- The lesson load of physics teachers need to be drawn to normal limits. Thus, they can enhance their efficiency. 3- If the school administration, families, physics teachers and other school staff work together, they could reduce those disruptive behaviors. However, this cooperation has to be permanent. Where necessary, the support should be requested from the department of psychological consultancy and guidance. 4- School administration, families and physics teachers should educate students on the hazards of smoking and using drugs, bringing electric-electronic tools into class such as mobile phone, and matching programmers containing violent scenes on TV. In such a school, classroom and laboratory learning environment, physics teachers can be more successful