Organized and prepared to teach
Why is it important for an instructor to organized and prepared for each class?
I have always taught my students that color stimulates the brain. I have encouraged them to take notes on a yellow legal pad and with a red ink pen. It has proven effective as their test scores have increased. I have never printed handouts on color paper though due to a coping budget with the company I work for. I did however, share this lesson with the DOE in hopes that we might at least get colored paper for handouts.
Alicia,
This is a sound sentiment that has it's effectiveness when practiced regularly and consistently.
Barry Westling
First and foremost, it shows that you are a professional. You respect the learners time, effort and trust that you are as invested in them as they are in learning a new trade.
Secondly and more practically if the need arises to tweak a presentation or lab, you will have meaningful options prepared.
Your organization and preparation is your roadmap for the days learning.
"A day without learning is a day wasted" John Y.
Preparing to teach a class is obviously important for the students. But it is just as important for the instructor. Feeling unprepared is not a good feeling. I have been there and it stinks. Being prepared and knowing what and how you want to convey the subject matter is more rewarding for both students and teacher. It’s not easy and takes time to prepare properly, but well worth the effort.
I believe strongly that people do not wake up in the morning, stretch, and plan to fail; they fail to plan. Preparedness is a nonverbal message that you take your job seriously.
Carole,
Trust and respect are earned, and difficult to regain if lost due to poor preparation.
Barry Westling
I feel it is important to be organized and prepared for class to gain the student's trust that they feel you know what you are doing, you are enthusiastic about teaching them, and you want to help them be successful.
Thank you,
Carole Ray
You never know what issues will arise. There have been times when resources have not been available at that specific time and I have had to change up my lecture. I always try to have a plan B and C.
It shows the class you are qualified to be teaching them and are showing them respect by being prepared.
De Yonna,
Yes, I think good back up plans are an excellent way to assure we will be able to meet the daily objectives, one way or another.
Barry Westling
Brenda,
No doubt, students see when a less than fully prepared instructor fumbles about in class, and that can lessen the students level of interest.
Barry Westling
Being organized will help stay on track and not get off track with the student who likes to talk or get off the subject. Also having a backup plan in the discussion goes in a different direction.
Being organized and prepared to teach gives the students a role model who wants an instructor that is all over the place and disorganized. being organized also helps the instructor with time management.
First of all being prepared is key to executing a successful lesson. The day goes so much smoother. Being prepared sets an example to the class and allows the instructor to concentrate on the body language of the class. A lot can be gathered from body language. You can tell who isn't understanding the material, who isn't paying attention and who is bored.
Nick,
Yeah, it's said "we have only one chance to make a good first impression". We should make the best of each instruction event.
Barry Westling
Manuel,
Good point. The more organized the instructor is the more likely students will be receptive to and retain pertinent course content.
Barry Westling
Meri,
You've touched an extremely important tenet, that is conveying we care about each student, their education, and our readiness to deliver the content in the most competent and confident manner.
Barry Westling
Being organized and prepared sets a good example, gains the respect of the students, and keeps me relaxed and focused rather than frantic and scatterd.
During the course of the school day, educators use a wide variety of materials, often changing activities and materials frequently. The instructional process can be improved through the development of a systematic approach to storing and retrieving these materials. The specific organization is dependent on the arrangement and space in the room and on the style and preferences of the teacher or teachers who use the room. The purpose of organizing materials is so that both students and teachers can have access to the correct materials with a minimum of disruption.
