Jacob Kounin

The Kounin Model

Guidelines

Organization + Planning = Good Classroom Management

* A teacher must be aware of what is going on around them. They must discipline when necessary and have a plan to deal

with unexpected occurrences.

* Students are active participants in their education.

*Distractions can bring chaos into the class so a teacher

must handle any interruptions with tact.

* If students are focused on the lesson they do not have time

to get into trouble.

His main concepts were:

• The Ripple Effect
• Withitness
• Overlapping
• Effective Transitions
• Group Focus
• Satiation

Jacob Kounin

Pros:

Cons:

•The model takes an extreme amount of effort by the teacher.

•Kounin’s research provides rich insight into the preventative facts of misbehavior but little about techniques of corrective discipline.

•The model is very teacher centered.

•Some variables may not be effective in different cultural contexts.

•The strategies identified by Kounin can be used in a wide variety of classrooms.

•Students are less likely to ‘test the teacher’s limits’ as the boundaries have been clearly illustrated by the teacher’s with-it-ness and subsequent actions.

•Kounin’s variables are simple in nature.

•Encourages mutual respect between students and teacher.

References:

Andrius, J. (n.d.). TeacherMatters - Classroom Management and Discipline - The Kounin Model of Discipline | TeacherMatters - Classroom Management a. TeacherMatters. Retrieved June 15, 2013, from http://www.teachermatters.com/classroom-discipline/models-of-discipline/the-kounin-model.html

"Discipline Therorists." E Learn Portal. N.p., 2013. Retrieved 2013, from http://www.elearnportal.com/courses/education/classroom-management-and-discipline/classroom-management-and-discipline-discipline-theorists

Ganly, Sarah. (2010). "Jacob Kounin's Educational Theories on Management and Discipline." Helium. Retrieved June 15, 2013

from http://www.helium.com/items/1925228-kounins-educational-theories-on-management-and-discipline

Headrick, E. "Management Theorist Report - Jacob Kounin." Retrieved 01 July 2013, from <http://emilyheadrick.weebly.com/management-theorist-report.html>.

KELLYLISTON25. (2010, April 25). Jacob Kounin - YouTube . YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved June 14, 2013, from

Kounin, J. S., & Gump, P. V. (1961). The comparative influence of punitive and nonpunitive teachers upon children's concepts of school misconduct. Journal Of Educational Psychology, 52(1), 44-49. doi:10.1037/h0044705

"Models of Classroom Management." Models of Classroom Management. Pearson, 2012. Retrieved 01 July 2013, from <http://wps.pearsoncustom.com/pls_0558843379/153/39415/10090333.cw/index.html>.

Overview:

Biography:

• Jacob Kounin was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 17, 1912

• His wife Beatrice was an elementary school teacher

• He graduated from Iowa State University in 1936 with a PhD

Kounin's research was based off the idea that a classroom would move smoothly if a teacher was in control of their surroundings.

In his own classroom Kounin noticed that when one students behavior was corrected the other students around that student also reacted in a positive manner.

The idea is that if a teacher has a organized and controlled learning environment from the very beginning the classroom will run more smoothly.

• In 1946 he started his work as an educational psychologist at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI

• In 1970 he published his research findings in a book titled, "Discipline and Group Management in Classrooms"

• He died on October 7, 1995 at the age of 83

Views of Behavior/Misbehavior:

Preventive Discipline- a teacher should do their best to prevent misbehavior.

Teachers should be firm in their actions in consequences, but not overly rough.

Sometimes all it takes to get students in order is to correct the actions of one student

Students behave when the teacher is aware of his or her surroundings.

Misbehavior must be handled appropriately and with good time.

By staying ahead of any misbehavior a teacher can keep the classroom running effectively.

His focus was not on rewards and consequences for actions, but more focused on proactive discipline.

Teachers Role:

Teacher's Role Example

• The Ripple Effect - If a teacher can correct a misbehavior by using one student as the instigator, other students within the classroom normally will correct their misbehavior as well! This is what Kounin meant by the "ripple effect".

• Withitness - All teachers should be aware of what is taking place within all parts of the classroom at any given time. "Withitness" is what Kounin describes this as.

• Overlapping - The teacher should be able to attend to two or more issues at the same time.

• Effective Transitions - According to Kounin, if the teacher can create little chaos between activities, keep on task, and utilize good time management skills they are modeling effective group management.

• Group Focus -All educators should be able to maintain group alertness, as well as hold each member of the group accountable for understanding the content of the lesson. Kounin believes that by doing this, all students have a chance for optimal learning.

• Satiation - In order to avoid students getting bored or uninterested, the teacher should give assignments and tasks that provide the students with a feeling of progress or accomplishment when completing the assigned work. Kounin also stresses the importance of creating a diverse curriculum, as well as a change in environment every now and then.

Amanda Rion, Jessica Lykens, and Kathryrn Travis