I agree that backup plans need to be low-tech and easily implemented. As an instructor, gains more experience in the classroom, developing backup plans becomes easier also. Personally speaking, when something went wrong beyond my control early in my career, there was some panic associated with this scenario. As I gained more experience, I began to take problems more in stride and would reach into my bag of tricks and pull out the appropriate backup plan and put it in place. Most of the time, the students didn't even realize what what going on. It was business as usual for them.
some of the ways are making handouts for power points. just in case when using the equipment and it isnt working you can always continue with the lesson.
Staci,
Back ups can be simple. Something that's related to the course content, easy to implement, low tech, and interesting and enjoyable. Discussions, review, and competitive games are examples many instructors choose.
Barry Westling
I'm must admit I need to be more diligent in preparing backup lesson plans. Sometimes I'm a fly by the seat of my pants type of person and I'm discovering that this is not good when in the classroom! One of my goals for this year is to get more backup plans together.
Elena,
I think there can never be enough time devoted to practice and review, so I gear my back-upplans towards that objective. This can be dicussion (small group, whole class, student-led, instructor led), pair share, white board, or flip chart. These activities can be planned to fit the time available or remaining. A good back up plan is one where the students may not even be aware that an unplanned activity is being used.
Barry Westling
Judy,
Sometimes, time dictates we have to break mid way, or finish a topic with time left in class. So productive back up plans that support the topic, help reinforce what has been taught, or prepare students for what's ahead. Discussion, worksheets, and review are particularly good for end of class activities as students main reaching their limit of taking in new material, but it's a way to keep them engaged the whole period.
Barry Westling
Having a backup plan is very helpful when something comes up and things go wrong during the class. Backup plan can be a lecture delivered in a different way. I always use Power Point presentation when deliver new material, but my plan B can be some activities like games or groups case study. It is same material, but delivered differetly. Students might be tired or bored to have Power Point epresentations every class, and this new way of having class may be fun and easier to remember new material.
I simply have a lesson plan developed for each class broken down by time. If something is not going well or going very well, I can assess where I can modify the remainder of class time to see that the students receive the best experience possible.
Alana,
These are great examples. Pertinent, timely, can fill more or less time as needed, and they engage students.
Barry Westling
Some methods that I have utilized in my classes are to put the students into groups and worked on case studies. Case studies seem to involve students much more than individual assignments. Some students have commented that case studies are fun and they engage them more in learning the material.
Another group activity I have utilized was distributing several questions pertaining to the subject at hand. The groups are to write their responses on large Post-it and when they are done they are instructed to place them at the front of the room for all to read. Each student is handed a colored star and asked to read the various group responses and to choose the best responses to the questions. The rules to the responses are limited to utilizing correct terminology and illustrations. The competition in answering the questions correctly with illustrations allows the students to become involved and creative. The group with the most stars is recognized.
I've also incorporated jeopardy games, matching games, and word-building games.
Tessie,
I think this is a perfect sort of back up plan: is instructive, involves the students, lets them think, and can be done with little preparation.
Barry Westling
Khouloud,
These sound like good ideas. Discussion (from instructor or students) can serve as a great way to cover the lesson material and can also fill the available time very nicely.
Barry Westling
Anthony,
Small group discussion is great as a transition activity, and as you say, also great for use as a back up. It can fill the time available easily, and contribute a lot to student learning with not too much work by the instructor.
Barry Westling
Kristin,
The better back up plans are the ones the student may not even be aware has been implemented because it flows nicely with the lesson.
Barry Westling
When I see that some students are not quite getting it, I divide them into groups and divide the topics into smaller segments and make them discuss among themselves and later on present it to the class. This method usually works. I just add a word here and there about their corresponding topic and they begin to become more receptive and more interested.
Given that certain selected instructional media may not be available for instruction, an instructor must employ a backup plan. With that said, in the event that a PowerPoint is malfunctioning, I utilize photographs relevant to the subject matter, as well as writing on the chalk board. Basically, I would ensure that I have available a manual script of my PowerPoint presentation as a backup plan.
You can show students a short video/presentation while you plan the next step. You can divide students into small groups and ask the groups to discuss topics relevant to the lecture content. Assign a spokesperson for each group so that all students get to hear different points of view on the same or similar topics.
It is always good to have a back-up plan. Because usually plans do not go the way you want. Timing is everything and somethings take more/less time when you actually go through the process/plan in class.
Deborah,
Often there is stuff that happens that is beyond our control and rather than wasting time, having good back-up plans can be a lifesaver. Good plans may even be implemmented and the students would not even know something different is being used.
Barry Westling
Always looking ahead, when I know the course content it helps me move things around to suit the situation. Every day is a new day and anything could of happened to any of us. Even as an instuctor I could be a little off on my game plan. We always want to try and put them first, so a little extra thought (in case) always keeps my confidence up. Then I don't have to struggle to keep up with the students. Sometimes its good to let them take the lead in what is on their minds, or they my be having a hard time keeping up, I try to always be prepared to go backwards if necessary to help them adjust.
