So you won't waste the classe's time and the students will see and respect you more as a professional. It also sets a good example for the students when you expect the same from them.
We are role models and the professional status has to start with us.
Someone who is in authority needs to have their act together, or you will not garner the respect of those underneath you. I plan my mornings so that I am early to class. I also have all materials ready the day before, so that when my students arrive (from what may have been a hectic morning for them), my classroom is a peaceful, well-organized haven.
This is also a part of being "student-centered". If you couldn't find the time to prepare for the class, then it sends the message that you don't care about them.
I feel seucre in front of a class if I have more than enough of things to do. If I am 'stretching' what I have, it shows and the students pick up on it easily. Nothing so easy to spot than 'time-fillers'
"Teachers who are willing to make a difference will take the time and interest to make their classes run smoothly. Mediocrity will be the best we can achieve otherwise. "
I couldn't agree more. It doesn't even take a whole lot to be prepared. It also shows the students that you care. Their perception about how much the instructor cares, will influence how much they care. Students who are in school for the right reasons will go out of their way for an instructor who cares about their learning.
It's a simple lead-by-example scenario. How can students be asked to be prepared when the instructor is not?
It is very important to be organized and prepared for class so the students will be in an optimal learning environment.
Being prepared for class is the first step to classroom management for the instructor. If the instructor isnt prepared why would the students feel the need to prepare? The instrcutor is a role model for the class.
There are several reasons why it is important for an instructor to be organized and prepared for each class. It shows the students that you have put effort into the class which translates into your caring about their success. Being prepared also helps with classroom time management. One is less likely to ramble on or run out of time if properly prepared.
Hi Sara:
Exactly? What kind of message does it send the student if the instructor is constantly disorganized? What a negative long term impact it could have to send the message "I don't care enough about your learning to be prepared".
Regards, Barry
If I don't come across as organized and prepared it does impact the way the class responds to the instruction for the day. I have found that when I don't come across as prepared it seems to create a "so what attitude". I have one 4 hour block of time each week to cover the material that is prepared. I also find that teaching a class many students don't care to take requires more organization and prep time.
I have learned that teaching on Saturday morning seems to require an extra measure of keeping attention depending on Friday evening late hours. We have an attendance policy that allows a student a certain number of absences. It is not unusual to have students coming in for an hour. Some ride public transportation. Others depend on someone else to provide their transportation. How do you handle the first hour when you know you may have students coming in at varying times so you don't penalize the ones who are in class for start time?
The best reason for an instructor or in this case, a librarian, as that is my profession, is for the instructor to be prepared. This, means that the instructor should have his/her material for the class ready and setup prior to the students arrival. This will help the students to stay focused and help the instructor become in charge of the classroom.
Organization is key to be successful in any class you teach. Knowing how to prepare your content and making accessible to you will help you navigate through the course. It will prevent frustration and not knowing your material. A good instructor is always prepared and knowlegeable about his content so he can demonstrate excellence in the subject matter. You have to be organized because you want to present your content in any type of medium and be excellent as a teacher. A excellent teacher always is organized as their teaching the students. If you don't know your material then students become frustated because they may or may not know what your teaching them. So make sure you know your material and you can develop strategies to teach them the content.
Being organized a nd prepared shows the students leadership and responsibilities. Also if the instructor is unable to make it to class then the substitute would have all the information and materials for the class. It helps make the class flow better.
It shows the student you respect them and have made a commitment for their learning the material being covered.
I think organization is a key role in letting your students know that you have control of the class. If you come in consistantly without being prepared, they will perceive that the class is not a priority to you and they will treat it as if it is not a priority to them
Agreed, we must take this responsibility seriously. We have students that we are molding into a "better" them. If we do not take the time to show them the importance of having your stuff together- we are doing them a huge disservice!
I feel like we owe the student that much to organize and prepare. How can we expect them to take stock in what we say, if we do not display enough interest in the subject to even prepare for a course.
Being organized helps in many ways.
1) It just makes life easier- when you are organized and prepared you do not have the stress of pulling things together at the last minute.
2) It allows you to make sure that you covered all important points of the lecture or entire course
3) It makes you appear to be in control and knowledgeable
4) It allows students to take you and the course seriously and hopefully mirror what you have displayed
5) Students obtain a greater sense of respect for you and your course because you took the time to organize and prepare
We have a responsibility to students to not only deliver instruction but also to teach students various life lessons that will help them in their careers. Organization and preparation are just a few of those life lessons.
