William,
Some publisher PPT slides are good, especially the ones that have good images embedded within them. Others seem to be not much more than a mere outline of the chapter and not so dynamic. I like to make my own slides whenever I can.
Barry Westling
In one particular course, i utilize the publisher video resources to reinforce an area that I feel the students had difficulty grasping. I dont always refer to these resources if the student understands the material through lecture. This method provides an alternative activity when needed.
Kelly,
Good idea. Can't be too prepared. And varying the content adds variety and maybe increased interest in the topic.
Barry Westling
Stephanie,
Good back up plans can be substituted for regular lesson plans, even if things are going right. I've learned things I did as "back-up" turned out to be wonderful activities I've added to my regular curriculum.
Barry Westling
I always have 2 lesson plans. Similar in content, but sometimes rotating the cirriculum.
In my classroom, we have to be ready if the computers do not work or if the interent is down. I have assignments ready, hopefully the students have their correct books with them, or I also require my students to keep a journal. If I need to use a back-up, I normally pull out a critical thinking question relating to their new career field, and then we discuss and sometimes it leads into a great discussion amongst the class, and the class has no idea it was a back-up plan.
Myrna,
Being ready to do a change up if needed is not so rare and I think being over prepared with applicable course material is way better than coming up short with time left in class.
Barry Westling
I actually never really thought that I was using a "back up" plan when creating my class activities. I always used the philosophy that being over prepared is better than being under prepared. I understand that in order for students to adequately conceptualize a concept it is helpful to present it in many ways. I try to have lecture material, group activities, case scenario's, games, crosswords, etc. all related to a particular topic. I prepare the class with one or two types of these activities in mind. I assume that the activities will take a certain amount of class time. If I am off on this, or if one activity is not going over well, I have additional activities ready. I also keep these additional activities available to use for review if needed. Many instructors ask where I get the activities, I do a lot of research, gain teacher desk copies of books that have their instructional material with them, talk to other instructors who teach similar topics, and create something new each time I teach the class.
Denise,
It's been said "failure to plan is planning to fail". I don't know if that's entirely accurate in all cases but it does make a good point about being ready for the unexpected.
Barry Westling
Boy is this important. I have found that the only constant in teaching is change ergo a need for a back-up plan.
Ryan,
Sounds good. Involving students is always a better way for students to learn. Case studies or situation-based questions help develop critical thinking skills. And students who possess good critical thinking skills are bound to do better as workers in their chosen caeer.
Barry Westling
I like to ask my students about their experiences concerning the covered topics. Or do a short what would you do in this situation scenario. They tend to like these types of engaging activities. I find that they are more motivated to learn afterwards.
Jason,
Sounds like a well thought out plan. Many instructors are fortunate when the teach a class overe and over during the year as they begin to find extra material but there always insn't enough time. So these ought to be the be the kinds of material that can be reserved for back-up use, regardless of the reason. I have also found material I had planned as backup has become mainstream because of it's effectiveness. So there is some "auditioning" benefit to having good back up material.
Barry Westling
My primary backup plan is typed or written notes for the current lessons and the ones from next class and to have that info saved on a jump drive as well as the schools systems. By having today and tomorrow set up I create a situation with the following advantages: Computers not working? I can still present by hand, or move to another room. Can’t make it in? Someone can take my notes and go. Get done quick? Lets move on to the next one.
David,
Sounds good. This is a variation of basic memory techniques, too; build something you want to remember around something already known. Works most effectively when the student want to remember.
Barry Westling
One of my back up plans is to have examples of a concept that mirrors something they already know. If I see that the class does not understand a lesson, I just back up and introduce the other example and bridge to what the day’s lesson is.
Joshua,
Good back up plans help supplement what has been planned, and are absoultely needed when whatever has been planned cannot occur for whatever reason.
Barry Westling
I guess my number one strategy for creating a backup plan is deep understanding of the material coupled with my personality. I have to admit as I was reading that section I chuckled. I let my wife read it and she commented that I don’t go to the grocery store without a backup plan (she told me it’s frustrating). In the classroom I go in with my lesson notes and an idea for several ways of covering the material, however I try and not focus on a plan A as the lecture put it. I tend to always keep an open mind in regards to delivery instead focusing on the material first and foremost. This way I can react and change strategies on a whim. Adjusting form lecture to a hands on approach is often what I will do if I sense that I’m losing people. I also can dart to a group project if I feel that it may help out more.
Walt,
Great example to share in this forum. Cool and smooth. It's great when we can do a change up, and the students are not even aware of it. Terrific!
Barry Westling
Jennifer,
Other good and simpler back up activities are discussion, review, and student summary of class session. These are low tech, easy to implement, and generally enjoyable by students.
Barry Westling
