Lecturers’ Perception of Classroom Management: An Empirical Study of Higher Learning Institutions in Malaysia

Abstract

The classroom is a learning environment where active interactions and meaningful learning occur between learners and knowledge providers. The teachers and the learners have a unique relationship and this relationship is highly determined by their backgrounds and experiences. Teachers have the responsibility to manage the classroom with the aim of providing quality teaching and enhance the students’ learning experiences. Classroom management can be categorized into three major components namely, 1) content management, 2) conduct management and 3) covenant management. In addition to these three components, time management is another element that is used to evaluate classroom management effectiveness. The objective of this study is to investigate lecturers’ perception of classroom management and the challenges faced. This empirical study compares classroom management practices of two higher learning institutions in Malaysia. One is a government institution and the other is a private university. The data was analyzed based on statistical analysis using mean comparison using the “t” test to identify the regression weight of perceptions in the teaching staff between the private and the government higher learning institutions. The findings of this study revealed that there is no significant difference in the perception of understanding of the four classroom management factors.