Sean,
True, many students come to us with little perspective about what's required for successful career education. Sometimes weak in academic preparation, but also in professionalism. When possible, I beleve we can strive to be role models for students to emulate. Preparation is a part of that example.
Barry Westling
It is important for an instructor to be organized and prepared to teach because as well as teaching material to the students you are also offering life lessons to them. Being ready to teach shows that you are a professional and expect the same out of your students.
Marketa,
I believe students have a need to be directed, that is, although they may not necessarily like the assignments, they look to their instructor to guide them. A well organized instructor will build credibilty, and students begin to trust instructors who do their job and are prepared for every assigned class.
Barry Westling
Brian,
Good sentiment. Anyone in any profession who expects good or great outcomes or performance has to prepare, whether that is rehearsal for a performance, practice on the field, or organizing a lecture or similar instructional session. Expecting anything different is just not realistic.
Barry Westling
It's important to be organized and prepared for each class so student focus isn't lost when transitioning from one topic to the next. Also, being organized also sets the tone for the class and what expected from the students, you have to lead by example.
Among the most important components of a class is pacing. In order to pace yourself, allowing you to speak comfortably, answer questions, and go back over challenging material, being prepared ahead of time is an absolute must. This also gives you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with potentially challenging concepts that may require a rethink on how you approach them. Preparation can only help you, never hurt, I have never felt over-prepared, only under.
Dyana,
Right. Students will often emulate the (positive) traits they see their instructor demonstrating. This is also true for undesirable traits (language, promptness, dress and grooming), for example.
Barry Westling
If you are organized and you are prepared it will show the students that you care. In turn the students will show a willingness to care.
Peggy,
Yes, and students are aware when their instructor is and is not prepared for class. Very few can conduct a meaningful class session without due preparation.
Barry Westling
This act of organization and preparedness is most important because you as an instructor are a role-model. It shows a positive attitude to the student that you are a professional and want to be in the classroom and want to provide a learning environment.
Mary,
Good organization does play a key role in providing structure and order, two factors most students need. We can rely on our planning and access to prepared resources to guide students, and will promote solid delivery of course content, independent from personal ups nd downs.
Barry Westling
Being completely organized and delivering class content in an organized manner lets the students know that they can depend on you. It gives them a beginning structure to know what will be expected of them in the field. I know we all have our bad days, instructors and students alike, and when you have those bad days where nothing seems to be going right, it is because of being disorganized.
Terry,
Yes, I think students are astute to tuning into whether their instructor is ready, prepared to teach, and has the competence to fulfill their expectations. Even a knowledgeable instructor may be perceived as not being aptly informed, solely due to being unprepared. Totally preventable.
Barry Westling
if the instructor is not ready the students pick up on that immediately and may think the information is really not that important
Tracy,
Yes, a daily lesson plan is a must. I list the main categories of topics on the white board, along with specific resources needed (such as specific textbooks or handouts). I treat it like an agenda for a meeting, whereas all topics have to be covered for the "meeting" to be complete.
Barry Westling
Even the best instructors can get off track or sidelined by student questions. Being organized and prepared for class includes having a daily lesson plan. This will insure that you don't forget any material to be covered. By simply revisiting your lesson plan nothing will be forgotten.
Having all handouts, materials and equipment ready before the students arrive will show the students that you are organized and prepared. Leading by example may just rub off on a few students too.
Diane,
We set the tone, and we should be in control of the class. If someone is less than prepared, it gives the wrong message to students and potentially creates lowered respect and trust.
Barry Westling
It is important for an instructor to be organized and prepared so that the instructor can be more effective and result in a class in which the students are more engaged and enjoying what they are learning.
Kathleen,
I have learned that students want and need direction, clarity, and directness in their classs, because much of that is missing in their private lives. We help them in part by our instruction, but also by teaching and showing by example the benefit of being prepared, ready for the day, and basking in the results of effective achievement.
Barry Westling
Being a prepared for class helps on many different levels in the educational environment. Students feel comfortable with an instructor who shows organizational skills as they model this to their students. It helps keep the students focused on the topic at hand as well.
