Ecological Systems Theory
By Urie Bronfenbrenner (1977)
Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory focuses on the quality and context of
the child's environment. He states that as a child develops, his/her interaction
within these environments becomes more complex. This complexity can arise as the
child's physical and cognitive structures grow and mature.
Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory is one of the most accepted
explanations regarding the influence of social environments on human
development. This theory argues that the environment you grow up in affects
every facet of your life.
This theory helps us understand why we may behave differently when we compare
our behaviour in the presence of our family and our behaviour when we are in school
or at work.
Bronfenbrenner divided the person's environment into five different systems: the
microsystem, the mesosystem, the ecosystem, the microsystem, and the
chronosystem. The microsystem is the most influential level of the ecological
systems theory.
Student microsystems (as explained in Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory) also
relates to classroom climate.
The Beginning
In the beginning, you need to get to know your students. Therefore, set-up activities that
helps you in getting to know your students and your students getting to know one another.
Also, get to know the parents or carers of your students and get them to know you. This
usually helps in forming close relationships, it helps when a situation needs openness.
As Time Progresses
Continue on building positive relationships or even correcting ways of your teaching. Do these by
getting to know what motivate your students, what their interests are. Try going off-task with some
students by asking about their weekend, their favourite sports, their hobbies, etc.…. this strategy
helps in keeping their trust with you and importantly respect.
Denotative:- The denotative meaning of a word is its main meaning, in other words, denotation is a
word’s “dictionary definition” rather than its associated emotion or definition. That is, not the
feelings and ideas that people may connect with that word.
Connotative:- Connotation is the use of a word to suggest a different association than its literal
meaning, which is known as denotation. For example, blue is a color, but it is also a word used to
describe a feeling of sadness, as in: “She's feeling blue” , or his singing was velvet, Connotations can
be either positive, negative, or neutral in their effect to people.
Key relationship 1: You and your studentsThe
most important relationships you will need to build are between you and each of
your [Link] is important to remind you that you are their teacher, but you do
not have to be their ‘friend’. Youshould, of course, be ‘friendly’, but your role and
responsibility is to guide, lead and teach studentsduring school time to help them to
develop academically, socially and emotionally, to the best oftheir ability. How you
see your relationships with your students is a central consideration in
thedevelopment of your professional philosophy.
It is important to develop a positive classroom climate through
communication.
Communication with students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD)and emotional problems.
Of paramount importance is that the teacher builds a positive classroom
climate based on trust (Prosser, 2006; Whitt & Danforth, 2010). If you, as
teacher, demonstrate openness, are accepting of all students and show
genuine interest in them, students will perceive you as someone they can turn
to when things get tough. They will also be more inclined to act on your advice
when they experience social problems.
In whatever strategy a teacher may take in gaining the respect and confidence
of the students. The strategy will always need to be taken in a “step-by-step”
approach. If need be, fine-tuning of the strategy can be made at every step.
There’s a big difference between listening and hearing.
Hearing: - is technical
Listening: - is practical
Classroom Culture; manifests as the rules, procedures, routines, rituals and
established behavioural norms that can be observed in the class(Altun, 2013;
Britain & Freeman, 2006; Chaplain, 2003).
Praxis is defined as an accepted practice or custom, or an idea translated into
action, or something in reality rather than something in theory.
Fasting because of your faith and to atone (apologise) for your sins is an
example of praxis.
Classroom culture is generally viewed from three perspectives: the rules and
consequences perspective; the rights, responsibilities and due process
perspective; and the code of conduct perspective
A code of conduct usually includes Values statement that is a set of
principles and a set of corresponding behavioural descriptor.
It is vital to note that the term ‘rules’ is not applicable in a code of conduct.
Rules are generally perceived to be limitations on behaviour: restrictions
intended to stop people from doing something. To engender a more positive
focus, terms that imply positive expectations are used.
1. concerning the way in which two or more people or things are connected.
"there was no relational link between the killer and his victim"
indivisible
