#Edchat is a hashtag, a movement—it is a weekly organized Twitter discussion of educators and people interested in education that meet virtually from all over the world. #Edchat serves as a conversation thread on Twitter and is also used for organized weekly discussions.
There is research supporting small class sizes are better for learning, and there is research supporting that class size doesn't really matter. #Edchat
Yes. Once you go beyond a certain point, it’s difficult to spend enough time with individual students during lessons. Also the workload generated by marking is compounded. #Edchat
Hello #edchat Steve SPED teacher IA. Research might be conflicting. I've taught in a class of 30+& 15! I don't need a statistical analysis to tell me what class achieved higher success rates & personal connections!
Even if there is conflicting research, I think of course class size matters! The larger the class sizes the more the teachers attention is divided, leaving less time for each student and their education. #edchat
I am a BIG believer in the power of the personal connections and the outcome in learning. To me, there is not question that class size affects achievement! #Edchat
Hello #edchat Steve SPED teacher IA. Research might be conflicting. I've taught in a class of 30+& 15! I don't need a statistical analysis to tell me what class achieved higher success rates & personal connections!
Our staff was frustrated with one-size, sit and get PL. We started Communities of Practice model. We ask the teachers what they are interested in learning, take the top three choices and spend 9-12 weeks focused in our small groups learning, practicing, reflecting. #edchat
Yes, to a certain extent, class size does matter. E.g., to have a worthwhile class discussion, you need a critical mass to get enough good ideas to get a debate going #edchat
Excellent point about the additional work load. The time with each student, being able to make sure there learning is progressing and you are doing all you can do for them is so important...the more students you have the less you can focus on each student. #edchat
small classes promise to ANY WAY you look at small classroom size... still see opportunity for increased student-teacher interaction, continuous student evaluation, and flexibility in teaching strategies. What's not to like? #edchat
Hi gang. Class size certainly SHOULD matter, as the size of a class SHOULD affect how one teaches. With a smaller class Ts can personalize more. However, if a T does not change their strategy, then size does not matter, which is a tragic, and unfair to students. #edchat
Sure it saves money but are we concerned about saving money or our students education. I strongly believe that a childs education would suffer in a class size of 50 kids compared to 20 or 25. #edchat
I hope to see you there! Creating better conditions for teachers will lead to better learning environments for our students!
#RedForEd#tlap#KidsDeserveIt#edchat
In many oversized classes even the furniture becomes an impediment just by its volume taking up space.Less flexibility with space for learning #Edchat.
I think that is reasonable for 5-8. Not so for K-4. I also think that going above 23 can make HS teaching less effective, too. Sure, T can "manage" more Ss, but can T build relationships with more? #Edchat
It is...but I don't necessarily think the smaller ones are always better. The course & the mix of kids plays a role. I think too few kids in a class can be a challenge at times. #edchat
Exactly, university and college courses have 40+ students in them... but they are also independent. I cannot imagine a class of 40 grade ones. Education is more important than money. #edchat
I've reviewed the research over the yrs, & generally folks indicate in lower grades the size matters more. But again, if a teacher does not adjust to the class size (i.e., how one teaches). Then little else matters. Relationship building is usually related to S success. #edchat
Hi #edchat! Yes, class size matters. Especially in transitional years. My freshman Inc. English class has 27 Ss. ~55% of those have IEPs, 2 have 504s, and 2 others are repeaters from last semester. It's hard to meet their needs with that many in the room.
So many things can suffer with a large class size--lessons might not be as personalized, classroom management is so much more difficult, and it's a stressful environment for everyone involved. #edchat
I also don't think their is a magic number. Personalities, behaviors, content, etc.. are all factors that impact it all... even in small classes at times a single S can dismantle learning #edchat
Excellent points! I agree that it would be more manageable above grade 5, still not ideal but more manageable. Building relationships is a crucial aspect. #edchat
My first two books were dedicated to my 4th grade teacher (and my parents!) and my high school guidance counselor (now a school dean). My most recent book, Social Media Wellness, was dedicated to my sister, who is a college professor. #TeacherAppreciationDay#teachers#edchat
Pre-K programs are widely available to better serve early childhood education, but how are these programs shaping up? To find out the answers to these questions and more, read this article--> https://t.co/HNgGdcKQCE#edchat#elemchat
I'm unique. I'm ESOL, so when I have a group of 3 non-English proficient, it seems tough, but my Ss have made such huge gains in that tiny group! #Edchat
There definitely is a sweet spot for class size. Too small & collaboration, idea sharing & generation, rich classroom discourse, etc. become very challenging. E.g., I’ve supported classes w/ 5 or 6 Ss. A challenge to push thinking deeper. #edchat
Also, we have to be cautious if an "expert' says, "ALL the research indicates....." The word "all" should make us nervous, so the general direction of today's Q is great, since the Q stresses that the research is iffy. Research should be viewed in context. #edchat
Class size matters ... I have a class of 3 which is horrible for class discussion good for projects ... a class of 26 ... good for discussions not so much for projects. #edchat
@MissUnderwood94 Great point! Additionally some reformers say class size does not matter, because their goal is to save money. However, schools are not factories, and students are not merchandise. #edchat
Sure it saves money but are we concerned about saving money or our students education. I strongly believe that a childs education would suffer in a class size of 50 kids compared to 20 or 25. #edchat
I can totally see that! I definitely think that there's a max # where it just becomes especially challenging and unfair to the kids (and the Ts). #edchat
How you see your students influences who they are when they’re in your presence. Seeing the good in them brings out the good in them. Your perceptions become reality. Expect the best, and you’ll get the best. #edchat#FutureDriven
Lots of 18-year-old voters are marking their first ballots today. Lets build that voting block by helping kids learn the tools of citizenship. #Teacher#edchat
Exactly, wonderful connection! We want to produce capable strong critical thinkers who are excelling in education... it is not just a factory production, which is an excellent description for how it would be with 40 S's. #edchat
so...DOES IT REALLY MATTER that research doesn't support an argument that smaller classes directly produce greater student academic achievement. #edchat
Class size does make things more manageable, but we've often taken a whole grade of 35. To us, it's about what goes in within the class that keeps students on task. #edchat
That seems to be an oxymoron, Harvey. Yes, a teacher needs to adjust to class size but the larger numbers decrease the opportunities to build relationships! #edchat
Relationships and connections...great words to explain how the classroom environment should be. We need to focus on the S's education rather than the money. #edchat
Excellent situational and contextual points. A key is that we, as teachers, must always react to the class. Size counts, large or small, but we have to pay attention as teachers to the dynamics, culture, relationships, curr. outside events, etc. #edchat
I also don't think their is a magic number. Personalities, behaviors, content, etc.. are all factors that impact it all... even in small classes at times a single S can dismantle learning #edchat
Class size matters when you want to achieve high-impact, responsive, quality learning. Hattie's effect size (d=0.2) is often misused to justify class sizes 30+ #EdChathttps://t.co/nA9EplX6Ku
Teachers need flexibility to adjust for student interaction as participants in the learning environment. Design lessons that give them ownership of content. #edchat
Agreed. Class size research I’ve seen didn’t address these crazy sizes like mid 30s in elem., upper 30s and low 40s at secondary. Ridiculous. If research hasn’t “proven” that self-evident problem the fault is theirs.
It matters in terms of how school budgets are determined. $ focused budgeting will favor larger class sizes; S focused budgeting would take into account teacher input regarding class sizes. #edchat
Maybe we should research the effects of large classes on the temperament and stress levels of the teacher. An ineffective teacher will produce ineffective learners. #EDchat
Maybe we should research the effects of large classes on the temperament and stress levels of the teacher. An ineffective teacher will produce ineffective learners. #EDchat
What if smaller classes don't improve academic achievement, but it improves personal achievement (the kind of adults our Ss become)? Isn't that our end goal? #Edchat
Maybe we should research the effects of large classes on the temperament and stress levels of the teacher. An ineffective teacher will produce ineffective learners. #EDchat
How you see your students influences who they are when they’re in your presence. Seeing the good in them brings out the good in them. Your perceptions become reality. Expect the best, and you’ll get the best. #edchat#FutureDriven
When there is more than one approach to the content, students have opportunities to engage in different ways to participate and make choices in the their learning. #edchat
Interesting point about "sweet spot." It's similar to the ideas of "flow" or "in the zone." We've all been there as T, athletes or artists. But the sweet spot should depend on teaching capacity. What are we capable of? We must always strive to become better teachers. #edchat
There definitely is a sweet spot for class size. Too small & collaboration, idea sharing & generation, rich classroom discourse, etc. become very challenging. E.g., I’ve supported classes w/ 5 or 6 Ss. A challenge to push thinking deeper. #edchat
And for secondary teachers class size is significant for health, burnout. Add 5 students to a class, I’ll be okay. Multiply by classes we teach and it’s like taking on a whole added class #edchat
But the best learning needs time, attention, relationships, feedback, learning about learning... difficult to do in very large classes. https://t.co/nA9EplX6Ku#EdChat
Excellent point! For students to be successful and have a strong education they need to have teachers who are focused on what they need to learn and their education. If a teacher is stretched too thin then the education will be ineffective. #edchat
Maybe we should research the effects of large classes on the temperament and stress levels of the teacher. An ineffective teacher will produce ineffective learners. #EDchat
What if smaller classes don't improve academic achievement, but it improves personal achievement (the kind of adults our Ss become)? Isn't that our end goal? #Edchat
We could, but knowing the size makes us adjust so students get the best from the learning. We have larger classes on occasion because of a lack of coverage; we adjust for them. #edchat
Love this! My educational philosophy... "Children do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care!" Our students crave these connections and relationships, smaller class sizes foster an optimal learning environment #edchat
Talked with a teacher about going 1:1. Fallacy: All work given to students should be online in a 1:1. Truth: Balance is needed between what is assigned online and other forms of work. #balancedpedagogy#edchat#ohedchat
Love this! My educational philosophy... "Children do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care!" Our students crave these connections and relationships, smaller class sizes foster an optimal learning environment #edchat
The research? Hmm? What is the criteria for success? If we believe that SEL and personalization are critical then class size can make a big difference. If our only criterion is achievement scores, it can get tricky. #edchat
From the first roll call of the 1964 school year, Dr. William Lynn Weaver knew his new teachers didn’t have his success in mind. Luckily, one former teacher did. #TeacherAppreciationDay
This is definitely true. Teachers can only do so much with an enormous class size, it's really unfair to expect them to such a high degree of excellence with such a handicap. #edchat
True, it is a form of handicap for the teacher. It puts countless limits on what they can do with the class. When there are 40+ students everything becomes exponentially more difficult. #edchat
This is definitely true. Teachers can only do so much with an enormous class size, it's really unfair to expect them to such a high degree of excellence with such a handicap. #edchat
Florida had a class size amendment that held class size down ... public schools held to strict adherence ... charters could average class size ... when I was at a charter we had "ghost classes" that would be averaged into the numbers to bring avg class size down #edchat
also have to look at extra work load associated with number of students ... an ELA teacher with a class size of 25 times 7 classes is 175 essays to be graded ... yikes #edchat
Overpay, interesting I did not know this! So they are paying teachers more money to have more students. I think they should have average (25-30) class sizes then they don't have to pay teachers extra money and it benefits the S's education all around! #edchat
Real #TeacherAppreciation would be for educators to have a voice at our state and federal level with politicians. Appreciation 'trumps' their disrespect. ##edchat
Our district will displace Ts in schools with low numbers and transfer them to another school with high numbers for the year. I don't know the "cut-off" numbers, though #Edchat
In reply to
@Math912Teacher, @franziski123, @ShiftParadigm
An interesting related Q for school leaders is: Should a smaller class (i.e., fewer students) be used as a way to help a struggling teacher? Tricky question...What are the ramifications? For other students? teachers? the school culture? #edchat
Thank You, Shawn! This topic is controversial & could continue for hours! The best chat is the one you leave with more questions than answers! #Awesome group! Thanks! Have a great week! #edchat
In reply to
@sgthomas1973, @tomwhitby, @wmchamberlain, @ShiftParadigm, @blairteach
Something to consider would be to see if behaviours increase as the class size increases, I believe that it would. This was mentioned earlier in the #edchat and I think is an important aspect to consider!
Interesting Q: we had a struggling T this year who had Sp. Ed inclusion pulled from her class. Still struggling, and it put more work on other Ts in the grade level. Did not improve culture for that group of Ts. #Edchat
via @AkoHikoCluster AHET are fortunate enough to take part in the Z Energy Good in the Hood initiative during May. The trust gets a share of $4k from the Hillsborough @zenergynz station- 610 Hillsborough Rd, Auckland. Could you stop in? #humbled#edchat#fundraising#community
Thank you @sgthomas1973 for another rousing #edchat. Gumbo on the menu for tonight and we will talk next week! For those who are new, #waledchat on Thursday at 9 pm est. Salutations!
Do you feel that overage pay is sufficient? Personally I think the wellbeing of myself and my Ss is more important. Larger class sizes = burnout #edchat
