Stephanie,
Yeah, there all sorts of reasons why our preplanned activities can't go as planned and having good good back up plans are a life saver. For me, anything that is relevant, topical to the lesson, can be implemmented on short nlotice, and is relative low tech are activities that work best.
Barry Westling
Deveoping instructional plans is definetly a must.
Sometimes speakers do not show. Go to plan b with a lecture from one of the fellow instructors that has been prearranged.
Power failures have created problems. We can't control that. All we can do is give enough time for the power to come back on before dimissing the class.
Patients not showing for their appointments creates an empty spot in the students learning developement. The students to do simulated work on typodonts.We get to work one on one with the student in a comfortable setting.
Barbara,
We have to be flexible to meet the needs of students, and a part of that flexibility is having good back up plans that are more than time fillers, but activities that positively contribute to the lesson.
Barry Westling
I want Joshua Baten to help me with my back up plan. If he has a plan for the grocery store, than I'm sure his classroom is very together. Being flexible seams to be an important key on this subject.
Jorge,
Having back up resources really helps at times such as just before a break (when there is just 5-10 minutes remaining), near the end of class when a few extra minutes are available, or whenever it's helpful to re- energize or reingage students. Variety and especially stories about the work setting are good short time fillers.
Barry Westling
I get to know my students particular interests in the field and try to have materials or activities on hand that cover these topics in greater detail when time permits.
Lawrence,
Sounds good. One of a thousand different ways to provide creative and useful methods for use when whatever was planned cannot be executed for whatever reason. Better plans are ones where the students don't even know the back-up was not the intended activity in the first place.
Barry Westling
Create some handouts with pictures of parts that are relevant to the class content with blanks for students to fill out for example torque specs.and sequence.
Cheryl,
I think a good rule of thumb is to use applications of any theory or lecture material during or along with the topic presentation. Studeies show that information with immediate application results in better retention, longer term memory, and in general, more interesting and enjoyable classes.
Barry Westling
I teach an APA format/powerpoint/outline workshop to all new students. These are pretty dry topics so I keep the students engaged by having them do activities after I briefly discuss each topic. In my first powerpoint workshop, I made slides and was presenting them to the class but they appeared bored so I had them all go to computers and use the techniques I was showing them on the powerpoint slides. It worked out well. I think its great to always have a back up plan to any lesson.
Richard,
Sounds like back up game plans are well identified for your classes. Sometimes, with a good back up plan, students don't even need to know that something different has been implemented.
Barry Westling
In addition to lectures, I have DVDs for every section we study. I also try to have examples ready showing how the subject at hand relates to the student's different fields of study. I also have some games that relate to the different subjects that will help me change the pace of the class.
Andrew,
Creative. (Actually, I think most instructors do something similar). I think the main thing is to be sure the students are getting the needed information.
Barry Westling
During the length of the course, there are days in which too much needs to be taught and others not enough. For this I streamline the tight days by giving only the key points, then on the lighter days retouching the key points and expanding on them.
Melissa,
Switch ups or change ups are a great way to keep students engaged. I think it helps the instructor keep their enthusiasm level at a higher level too.
Barry Westling
I try to go to class with several different approaches to teaching/presenting the required content for the class. If the class gets that glazed over look I will switch it up to a more engaged activity. I think it is important to have a few tricks up your sleeve as you never know what kind of class you will be presented with.
Melissa
Darcey,
Yeah, sometimes the need exists to be able to switch gears mid stream, as that is the best activity for students to learn at that moment. Some of my best back up plans came about from doing some spontaneous "change up" that really served the need.
Barry Westling
As a new instructor I quickly realized the importance of flexibility and having enough media and content readily available to be able to "shift gears" very quickly. The next item to focus on for me is how to cut back on time while maintaining the integrity of the content. I am learning that before every class I have to identify where I can cut back on time and what I can incorporate into another class.
Nazi,
Good back-up plans can come in handy. Sometimes an activity planned "just in case" turns out to be a good, regularly planned activity, created for one purpose but coincentently turns out to be useful as part of the regular curriculum.
Barry Westling
Having a back plan is very helpful. I always use power point presentation on new material, some activities like game or group case study.
