Most disruption grows in the gaps where students have nothing to do. A class that keeps students actively working, thinking, solving, discussing, and applying, leaves far less room for problems than a long passive lecture. Engagement is the first and best classroom-management strategy.

Break up stretches of delivery with regular active moments, as the teaching foundations and learning theories courses describe. When students are busy with meaningful work, attention stays where you want it and minor misbehavior tends to fade on its own. Prevention through engagement is quieter and more effective than any after-the-fact response.