I enjoy listing an educational agenda for each class. Doing so allow me to communicate a step by step approach to my classes toward the objectives for the class. It helps my students know what I expect and how what they are learning will relate to their career goals.
It is important for an Instructor to be organized and prepared to teach as it makes for clarity, understanding and ease of learning of study the material.
Hi Sherry,
Showing care and concern can be direct and indirect. I think one of the indirect methods is what you describe, that of being prepared and giving thought to how I can best serve my students in this particular class. Students do appreciate effort when they see it.
Barry Westling
Hi Thomas ,
You're right about confidence. The feeling when beginning a class knowing I have all the copies, handouts, and related resources, and solid game plan for the day just makes the class go better because of the upbeat, enthusiasm I feel by my readiness.
Barry Westling
Being prepared and organized shows a certain amount of respect for your students in thier knowing that you care about what they are learning and whether or not they are successful.
Organized shows respect for your students and their time.
It show professionalism and creates confidence in your on the part of the student in your abilities in the field and your abilities to share your knowledge to them and me a mentor for their success.
It also serves as a role model for them to follow as well as pay forward to others in the field.
Hi Mahnaz,
I surely agree that a prepared teacher contributes to an effective learning environment. Taking individual time with students personalizes their view that their teacher cares about their learning.
Barry Westling
Hi Timothy,
Back-up plans are essential, for the very reason you provided.
Barry Westling
Hi Timothy,
I think students derive their many reasons why they think a class is good or if their teacher cares - we don't need to add to their ideas by our lack of preparedness. I think just being there when students arrive, to be able to answer a question, explin something, or even just chat about general goings on helps create a sense of caring. Of course this means getting copies made, resources ready, and class organized has to precede this important before-class visiting.
Barry Westling
An organized and prepared instructor shows respect for his or her students. As a result, students know how dedicated thier instructor is. This type of organization creates a learning environment which is condusive to learning.
This is an additional note to my last posting:
If an instructor is prepared and organized he/she will be able toadapt and overcome to a fluid situation. When I arrived for part two of my interview process (5 min presentation) I came prepared with three plans just in case "Murphy" decided to be a participant. In the Army educational system we are taught to organize and plan more than one option just in case the situation changes. As in my case, I wound up using my Plan C because the first two plans could not be accomplished. It is better to over plan then not have a backup at all.
It is very important to be prepared and organized to teach your class because it gives a professional and positive representation of you as a professional and projects a positive role model to the students to emulate if desired. If you come into the classroom unprepared and disorganized it it give the studentss the excuse or legitimacy to do the same when they begin to work.
Hi Julie,
Yes - when student see we have put effort, time, and planning into the class they are likely to favorably regard the committment their teacher has contributed to their successfulness.
Barry Westling
It is important to be organized and prepared out of respect to the student. It also establishes your role as the authority and teacher in the class room.
Hi Timothy,
I know teachers that are extremly serious and knowlegeable, yet their lax prepartion leads to to student comments that suggest there is less respect for the teacher than could be. That's really unfortunate, as it's totally preventable.
Barry Westling
Hi Martha,
Student do guage their teachers on their perceived competence. A prepared and organized class helps define and confirm this reality.
Barry Westling
Hi Jeffrey,
Certainly, being prepared is an aspect and demonstration of professionalism.
Barry Westling
It is important for an instructor to be and prepared for each class to show students that he or she is serious and committed to the task of teaching and educating, to enable the completion of course learning objectives, and to make the subject matter interesting and engaging for students
If the instructor is not prepared and organized, the student might second guess the ability of the instructor to teach a class.
As a role model, it is important to display the professionalism we hope our students will strive for.
