Esperanza,
It's true, we are role models to our students. And it's best when we're sincere about it, rather than "now I'm in my teacher mode".
Barry Westling
Esperanza,
Many automated machines run meticulously throughout the day, seemlessly moving from segment to segment in the manufacturing process. I think classes can move smoothly, from one segment of the topic to another, especially when all of the resources (handouts, copies, exercises, lecture, readings, etc) are present and the instructor can just glide through the lesson, even addressing questions or clarifying information as the need arises. This can't occur without thought, planning and preparation. Plus, this is our job, we're paid to do it, and only poorly monitored instructors get away wi8th doing anything less.
Barry Westling
Part of the training for my student si s to be professional in their dress and comportment in the classroom, in preparation for them facing clients in the "real world" soon. How can I expect them to be organized if i myself don't model good example with the way i conduct myself regarding preparation for the class.
It is easier to be organized in your delivery if your physical environment is also organized.
Being organized sends a message to the students that I care enough about them and about my course that I take the time to prepare and organize my presentations before class starts.
I don't like to rush and not being ready in time or not having all my handouts collated and stapled together ready to be passed out to the students sets the tone for my day and makes me feel out of kilter for the rest of the day.
Mary,
Time is so valuable, I am surprised anyone would want to squander it away. Being organized is a mindset, and requires a bit of patience and accountability to get everything needed in order prior to class so that class can run smoothly.
Barry Westling
Kelsey,
True, students may lose respect, even if they don't say anything. But there's also self respect and integrity about our work. We are paid to be prepared and ready, and it's really unfair to students who arrive to find something less.
Barry Westling
Organization plays a key role in every classroom. When the instructor is prepared with lessons and materials it saves class time and keeps the class on track for learning from start to finish. Interruptions because of an unprepared instructor can cause delays and disrupt the flow of learning for students.
Wasting your students time trying to organize your lesson, equipment or paperwork is disrespectful to the student. After all the student is your "customer" and to provide poor customer service reflects poorly on you as an instructor as well at the institution itself.
Patricia,
Yes, the environment says a lot about our degree of preparation, care, and self-respect for ourselves and our students. It's a commom complaint, but good teachers take it in stride - we will always have to spend more time preparing than we are paid for. But that's just it, we are paid for it. We are paid to be prepared and ready to go, and as you say, students will notice, and appreciate that effort.
Barry Westling
Students can tell if we are 'winging it' - I have to spend a lot more time on preparation than actually teaching, when it is a new syllabus for me. Also, having an organized classroom, with clear daily plans on the board enables the student to feel more in control as well, and gives the student some level of confidence that I have a good grasp of my subject matter.
Carol,
Many teachers do this - that's a great idea. In my experience, signing anything may help clarify expeactations but does little to change conformance by students. Also, it's always the ones who the expectation's addresses that seem to have difficulty following the directions. Yet, having a signed document is hard to dispute.
Barry Westling
I have student's sign a form that they have received and understood materials the first day of class so that they will be personally invested in the course.
Michael,
You're right. Most students want to be led, to be directed, to get trained for a better future, and the hopes of a new career is often the route many take. Our role to provide competent instruction in an organized fashion is an assumption that most incoming students would make. Besides, it's our job. Also, I feel classes just flow better when we are organized, have all our resources, and we have taken the time to plan and prepare.
Barry Westling
Leading by example is paramount.
Most students these days seem to be unorganized,so contributing to that would be
undervalueing the educational process. Students want to be better in their field and should have someone to role model after.
Kathy,
Really, I think it's impossible for a teacher to expect to conduct a class effectively if they have not prepared adequately - disorganization is very likely. To teach effectively, we have to put in the time, effort, and planning needed, and to make sure all needed resources are (or will be) available when the class begins. We are paid to be prepared and ready to go.
Barry Westling
Being organized and prepared for class makes the class go a whole lot smoother and easier for the instructor and the students
Daniel,
Right! There's nothing more "unprofessional" to an adult in school than arriving to a class with the teacher unprepared. It's strange that some students themselves may not be prepared, but even if they don't say anything, in their mind, they recognize the failure of their teacher to be ready to conduct class. Also, we deny our students access to us during this valuable time period - immediarely before class begins. This time can be used to answer questions, ask questions, or just chat. And needless to say, we're paid to be ready.
Barry Westling
Hi Clive, I totally agree. I also feel that if an instructor is not properly prepared for class and they appear to de disorganized in their presentation of materials for that day the students will not share the same level of trust with the information as they would from an organized presentation.
Dan
Among other things being organized shows respect for the adult learner because you are not wasting their valuable time stumbling through the materials trying to figure out what needs to be presented during a class. Most adult learners are balancing family, school, work and possible more so when they show up for a class it needs to be run professionally and the content needs to be delivered affectively.
Julie,
You're right, and students are keen in noticing the subtle clues to a teachers readiness (i.e. unprepared and disorganized). Even if they don't say something, they'll notice when a teacher is consistently unprepared and as a result, lose respect and regard for the teacher as someone who can help them. They talk among themselves too, and that can even transfer from class to class, and then that teacher has created one of the worst things they would ever want: "a bad reputation among students". Once the trust is broken, it's very hard to gain it back.
Barry Westling
