Douglas,
Right. The needed preparation for any class has a direct affect and impact on the students. If we are not doing our job, we will be doing a disservice to the students. Yet, when we are prepared and organized, classes are better, students benefit, and outcomes are more likely to be met.
Barry Westling
In my case I have to try to be organized and prepared so I can keep the learning flowing. Our curriculum is set up for us to follow and if I don't do some prep I won't be able keep the class going smoothly or give the students enough information.
Michael,
Smooth and seamless, that's what we'd expect if we were sitting in our own classes. We owe the students our time and effort required to prepare appropriately for each class, consistently and regularly. That's the expectation the students come to class with, and we need to be ready to fulfill that expectation. And by doing so, our classes will turn more interesting and better learning outcomes will result as well.
Barry Westling
Organization is one of the most important parts of being an instructor. If an instructor comes into class without being organized the class will not flow very smoothly. If the instructor has to stop and find handouts everytime he/she wants to hand something out, this is going to make the class go slower. It will also loose the interest of the students.
Brian,
Right. It's our job, we're paid to do it, and we were selected to do so based on our unique and special talents. We should not diminish our value to the students through lack of prepardeness. Trust and respect has to be earned.
Barry Westling
Show the students that you are concerned with being able to teach the material accurately and on-time. Setting an example can sometimes be the best teaching method. Preparing for class should not be an afterthought.
Dawn,
Right. The students have "purchased" a product, in this case, it's an effective educational experience. That includes everything promised and expected. We are employed to do a job and be ready every scheduled class session. Do do less, we would be considered negligent in our duties.
Barry Westling
Geri,
Right! This is our job; we’re paid to be there and to be ready. We do our employer and our students a great disservice when we are slack in our responsibilities. Also, students pick up on instructors when they appear unprepared, which send a less than wonderful impression. To a large degree, we are role models for what we expect for our students.
Barry Westling
Everybody has homework including the instructor. The instructor must do their preparation for the class before class. Students can tell if the instructor is organized and prepared or just winging it and making it up as they go.
For me it is about efficient use of the student's time and money. I find it frustrating when students show up to class unprepared. I hold myself to the same standard.
Yoon Sik,
We do control the atmosphere of the class. If we want it interesting, fun, and with activities that keep the student focused, time, effort and planning has to go into that outcome, as it can't happen by itself!
Barry Westling
An instructor is also a manager of the class; as such, he/she should be well-organized and prepared, knowing things can go wrong.
Dr. Kim
Annie,
You've made a good point, and you do have an important role in determining how students will wiew their continuing classes following yours. In most settings, the diversity of learners is great when a collection of new students begin. Forming their perspective and providing professional expectations is paramount. The degree of readiness for class you set helps students see what is expected of them as well.
Barry Westling
Organization and preparation is very important. With me being the very first instructor for many adult learners, I feel I am obligated to be organized and prepared. I set the tone of what is expected and I also have to teach it because most of my students have been out of school for a long period of time.
Chris,
Right! Course objectives detail the what, our lesson plans detail the when and how. And this is part of any instructors primary job responsibilities. When these essential requirements are missing, I don't know how any instructor would expect to experience an effective class sesesion. Students notice when the teacher is prepared (and when they are not). I think a degree of trust and respect is probably lost when an instructor comes to class unprepared.
Barry Westling
It is absolutely necessary for an instructor to be prepared and organized prior to class. That is why we have lesson plans. In addition to being organized and prepared for lecture it is helpful to have technological resources up and running so as to seemlessly blend lecture with powerpoints, DVD's, etc.
Deepika,
I think organization can also include a mind set. It helps when planning classes, estimating time allowances for activities, anticipating topic length, and student discussion, to name just a few. When organized, classes run smoothly, seemlessly, and students sense the order a well organized class provides.
Barry Westling
Being organized is a big key to everything not just in the classroom. Being organized helps you to plan well in advance.
Ninette,
Right! Probably nearly all of us were hired to teach a subject we were qualified for, and part of that more than likely included "has the professional image and attitudes to be a role model for students". It's part of job and one of the reasons we were hired. Part of that professionalism is readiness to teach classes. When we put in the effort, planning, and time into preparing for a class, we are are setting an example that, as you imply, students see and over time recognize they are to act in a similar manner.
Barry Westling
Students watch their instructors; not only to gage their experience and knowledge, but students also watch instructor's behavior to be like them. We are not only intructing them in their technical skills but we are also instructing them in behaviors and dealing with other people and problems.
