What can schools and teachers do to promote discipline in the classroom? How do discipline and learning interact? The Elton Committee was set up in 1989 to consider ‘what action can be taken to secure the orderly atmosphere necessary in schools for effective teaching and learning to take place’. In this collection of papers, originally published in 1992, ten leading figures in the psychology of education reflect on some of the issues raised by the Elton Report and provide a series of psychological models for tackling problems of discipline, disorder and disruption in schools. Areas covered include whole-school approaches to discipline, the connection between learning difficulties and discipline problems, the effectiveness of positive behavioural methods of classroom management, the possible uses of techniques derived from family therapy in classroom discipline situations and the ‘good relationship’ between teacher and student as an agent of change. Though the perspectives of the contributors are very different, the emphasis throughout is on establishing a way forward for schools that will be valid and workable both in institutional terms and for the individual teacher in the classroom.

Problems of classroom management and control are a recurring concern for many teachers. Disruptive behaviour and inattention hinder effective learning and impose a constant drain upon the teachers’ emotional resources. Continual nagging at children only increases teacher stress: what is needed is an effective alternative set of strategies. Originally published in 1984, Positive Teaching seeks to meets this need by presenting the behavioural approach to teaching in a clear, direct and lucid way. By adopting the behavioural approach, problem behaviour can be minimised, or rapidly nipped in the bud when it does arise. While punishment may be used in an attempt to stop almost any kind of behaviour, only the appropriate use of positive methods applied contingently, immediately and consistently can teach new, more adaptive behaviour. This is a crucial issue in real teaching and is rarely encountered or even discussed in most teacher education programmes. It is the central focus of Positive Teaching. This book is for all teachers, from the beginning student to experienced head teachers; for those teaching in a first school, and for those teaching sixth-formers; for those experiencing difficulties and for those whose authority is already well established. The behavioural approach offers practical support to those who are struggling and a rationale for the effective, positive strategies of the successful. We can all improve our teaching.

Managing troublesome behaviour in the classroom is a problem faced by every primary yschool teacher at some time. Some nursery and infant teachers claim that every year more and more young children are starting school with behavioural problems. Teachers too frequently complain of lessons being disrupted by unacceptable behaviour, and yet the important skills of effective classroom management are seldom mentioned in initial teacher training. The authors are much in demand by schools to provide training in their positive teaching methods for dealing with troublesome behaviour. In this book they present their tried and tested procedures for establishing effective classroom behaviour management. The au

Educational psychology has much to offer teachers and trainee teachers which can be of help to them in their work. In this book, originally published in 1983, leading experts look at a number of important topics in educational psychology. The chapters present detailed overviews of these key issues, survey recent research findings and advances in the subject at the time, and discuss innovative techniques and approaches which are particularly relevant for classroom practice. This book, much needed at the time, will still be extremely useful to mature teachers and to all students of educational psychology.