Social aspects of the learning environment, also called classroom climate, are important for students__ cognitive and affective learning outcomes. In this thesis the classroom climate is... Show moreSocial aspects of the learning environment, also called classroom climate, are important for students__ cognitive and affective learning outcomes. In this thesis the classroom climate is operationalised by means of two components: the teacher-class relationship and classroom discipline. The teacher-class relationship is described with the dimensions of control and affiliation, and classroom discipline is described with sensitive, directive and aggressive discipline strategies. Practical knowledge is thought to be extremely relevant in classroom situations that call for immediate teacher actions, such as disorderly situations, or students__ misconduct. A merit of this thesis is that it showed that in the context of education, it is worthwhile to perceive discipline strategies as consisting of three (sensitive, directive and aggressive) instead of two (sensitive and coercive) factors. This thesis also showed that there are clear and meaningful relations between discipline strategies and the teacher-class relationship. This connection appeared to be much stronger than the direct connection between student teachers__ practical knowledge and the teacher-class relationship. However, teachers__ practical knowledge was found to be related to the way the student teacher disciplines. Results of this thesis provide insight into which components of practical knowledge are related to student teachers__ discipline strategies. Classroom climate; classroom management; student teachers; interpersonal theory; discipline strategies; practical knowledge; teacher-class relationship Show less
