Hi David:
Prepared teachers know it takes time, effort, thought, and coordination to collect all the needed pieces together for a truly memorable and meaningful class. Without these ingredients, we're likely to see just average (or less) classroom experiences. Who wants to settle for just mediocre. We owe our student all we can give.
Regards, Barry
I agree ,You are the conductor. Know your music.
Hi Stacey:
We are role models, no doubt about it. Students will behave to the degree our expectations dictate. So even if we say one thing, but act another (disorganized, unpreprepared), that's the new expectation students will follow as well.
When we're prepared, we are now providing expectations for the class, and also setting the example by following the same standards we expect of the students.
Regards, Barry
Hi Susan:
Poor organization is really a sweet way of saying "chaos": diorder, confusion, and reduced learning potential for the student. If the student doesn't learn, then we have not taught! This is where supporters of performance based merit pay base their argument. In this forum, it kind of makes sense.
Regards, Barry
Hi David:
Leraning involves many aspects, but thier base is being involved, however that can occur. There are so many great examples of engaging and involvement, and the student will retain more in this environment.
Regards, Barry
Hi Elizabeth:
Organization, or lack of it, is apparent to the students, even if they don't comment or complain. They'll just be frustrated, dissapointed, and have lowered level of respect for the teacher. Oooh, how awful.
Prepared teachers are ready with the daily lesson, plan time before and after class to talk with students or answer questions, provide the lesson in a logical and sequential manner, have the resources and media tested and ready for the lesson. They are calm and relaxed, but serious and focused. Their presentation is smooth and seamless, changing from activity to actvity.
Their delievery is enthusisatic and interesting, capturing the students attention, and they may add some humor or a little fun. But being honest and sincere, their preparation and delivery will be received with appreciation, respect for the teacher and topic, and benefit from the lesson. What a difference!
Regards, Barry
Being prepared for class let the students know the importance of being in class on time and to let them know the instructor values their education.
Hi David:
Soft skills keep the well trained person employed!
Regards, Barry
Hi John:
I think most students are similar to you and exhibit some of the same feelings you describe. One in particular, repitition. It is rare when a student can hear or read something once and expect to remember it, or understand it, or put it into the bigger picture of the topic.
Atheletes practice, practice, practice. Musicians rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. I guess you could say (successful) students repeat, repeat, repeat. Even if they don't fully comprehend full mastery, it'll take some repitition in order to convert that information over into long term memory.
Regards, Barry
Hi Gerry:
I think it's simple: When students respect their teacher, it tends to reflect on the whole school. Same if there are less than wonderful feelings about the instruction or instructor. or...pick a category. So our job is to insure we do our best to reach each student personally with sincere, honest, and honest teaching.
Regards, Barry
Hi Randy:
Great example. Plus, if the situation were true, what time would the teacher have to relate to the students before class, or answer questions, or get to know them? Most couteous students might be intimidated (and frustrated) to "bother" the harried teacher. That'd be a shame.
Regards, Barry
Hi John:
If you have a particulary well done or compprehensive syllabus, this could be used not just the the class information it contains but as an example of how to organize ideas.
So the media becomes the learning experience. Same with tests. We can assess student performance, but by reviewing immediately after a test is completed, the test can become a learning tool too. (I understand some schools don't allow this practice). Nonethetheless, as teachers, we can be alert to organizational helps that are all around us to promote the idea and importance of organization and preparation.
Regards, Barry
Hi Gerry:
Yes, to the student, the teacher (by extension) is the school. I examine the surveys, see what the students will be asked, then go out of my way, even to the point of asking students regulary "Am I here on time on a regular basis?", or similar such questions. I reinforce what the expectations are to the degree only very disgruntled students will answer unfairly.
Regards, Barry
Hi Julie:
One really positive signal is "I care". That means being there for the student. Prepared, Helpful, assisting, facilitating - students will respect teachers who demonstrate they are interested in their students success.
Regards, Barry
Hi John:
Nice sentiment, theres a lot of truth in there. Prepared classes take time and effort, and it'll show. Topics sequenced in an orderly and logical manner, resources and media at hand and ready, interruptions and questions flow seamlessly as if they were part of the plan. Yep! Students will notice when a teacher is prepared, and they appreciate that effort went into that class preparation.
Regards, Barry
Hi Elizabeth:
Appearences aside, a prepared teacher will benefit their students by maximizing their time with pertinent and essential information, sequenced and organized in logical sessions, resources and media ready and available, with attention to the needs of the student. As an aside, students will notice that all this just didn't happen, but is the result of planning and effort by the teacher, which they'll appreciate and respect.
Regards, Barry
it makes it easier on the instructor if the day is planned and it makes the instructor appear more professional.
Hi Marshall:
Creating that learning environment only comes from time, effort, and thought as to how it can be planned for optimal results. Rarely will things just fall into place without preparation.
The organized teacher provides a smooth, relaxed, and logical approach to the delivery of the course material. This helps students relax as well. It also sends the message the teacher is ready to teach, and therefore in charge of how things will go.
Being available to students for questions is also a part of preparation. Being avialable before and after class (because we've planned for that time)to connect with students can be extremely valuable. Students will appreciate the effort and availablity.
Regards, Barry
Hi Jaclyn:
True statements. Many teachers have such busy schedules that being able to visit students before class is a challenge. Yet, this time is so valuable. If it gets occupied by a hetic teacher trying finish up making copies, reading/answering emails, etc., that shortens the potential time that could be available to answer student questions, or at the very least, just connect with individual students to build stronger relationships.
Regards, Barry
When you walk through the door to the classroom, the students look up to you as the "MASTER". The one who has the knowledge and experience which they can and will learn from. If you are unprepared and unsure of your material and stumble over your delivery, immediately the students start to question your credability. Your presence and delivery mean so much in you being the "MASTER".
Not saying that there may be some items as well as students that want to challenge your information but that can lead to interesting and informative discussions.
If you don't know the answer to a question or a student provides information on a topic on the cutting edge which you are not aware of, be honest. Let them know you are not informed or don't have the answer. If you a good instructor, you should be able to educate yourself on the subject and provide back to them even more than they would anticipate you knowing. Remember, you are a professional. Demonstrate it!
