Lisa,
Great. Games are fun and can be educational -- either as a review, preparing for an exam, or competition between different student groups.
Barry Westling
I have games I try to incorporate into the lessons.
Brittney,
Great idea. Also, using resources that are not commonly used can help. For instance, many instructors don't use tests from the text because the answers are also provided. But in a time of need, that can be a very practical learning exercise.
Barry Westling
Having various activities, assignments, and alternative means for effectively delivering instruction are important in the classroom. One backup plan can be to have students get into groups and assign specific areas of the material that needs to be covered. Then have the students learn from each other and share out their portion, with a guidance from the instructor.
Megan,
Sometimes what we have planned runs short, or other planned activities cannot occur as planned. That's where having a collection of back-up plans can be a real life saver.
Barry Westling
I like this for a review activity or as my backup plan (mentioned in this section)
Deborah,
Student led instruction is a great activity. Even in individual study groups, one way to self-assess understanding is to have the student try to explain the idea or concept to their peer students. If they encounter a rough spot, they have just identified a weak area that needs more attention.
Barry Westling
Deborah,
For me, I believe I have control of my classes and to a degree, can influence student participation. When that's not the case, I feel responsible to intervene to make sure that valuable class time is not wasted. Group activities are among methods that help reengage students. But I also want that activity to be meaningful (rather than a time filler).
Barry Westling
One back up plan that I used when the content is diffficult is to let each student teach that particular content that is hard for them to understanding and usually that helps the student with the difficulty understand where the problem lies in the steps he/she are taking that are incorrect. This helps not only that particular student but the entire class to see ahd hear another person's point of view.
I always use engaging my difficult students in discussions. Instead of side conversations among themselves while in the classroom. What I mean by that is this: All my classes that I teach consist of class participation. Usually I have the same students that always participate in class. I usually have students that have attitude issues or students that just don't like to talk in class when they should be particpating. So, I require participation every day by going to the board, reading out loud, critical thing etc. Lecture, student takes notes, follow along in the book always class discussions. No matter what. If that's not enough back up plan C: Group participation. It has never failed me.
Rebecca,
Great. I think this would also help students think more about the world around them, and also develop presentation and communication skills.
Barry Westling
Wenda,
Great approach. by looking at ideas and plans with a critical eye can help spot weak areas as well as identify where more emphasis may be needed.
Barry Westling
I use an activity called “Dealing with World Situationsâ€. I use this activity on a weekly basis, where each student signs up for a particular world event. Next, the chosen student introduces the chosen events and discusses it with the class for 3-5 minutes. The events for them to sign-up are related to the course content for the week. I believe allowing students to lead a class discussion gives them empowerment to be involved in their chosen fields.
I look at what I need to cover and make my plan A. Then, I treat the material as if I have never heard it. What questions would I ask, what are the terms that most people don't use in everyday life, what will different learning styles need to understand the information and more?
Making a detailed and outline of my lesson plans can help me see what I may need to cut out (if time goes over).
Having group activities and handouts can be used to access what the students know (or don't know; and be used if more activities are needed). These activities can help me understand why plan A isn't working.
It is important to have a back up in case something changes.
VALERIE,
These are both good resources to use when the need presents. Student's want to feel their instructor is in charge, and if extra time occurs, being able to seamless transition from the planned to the unplanned creates that appearance of one continuous instructional segment.
Barry Westling
I have group/ in-class assignments that I like to keep handy and use in the event that we have extra class time.I also maintain a resource bank of images/ current information relevant to the course being taught that I am able to share with students.
Asha ,
It's good when students are involved in pertinent discussions regarding course topics. An instructor can also guide or steer the discussion so that it stays on point, avoiding too many deviations that get the topic off track. Nonetheless, regardless of the reason, time management is facilitated by having good, relevant back up plans for assuring the class period is productive.
Barry Westling
These plans are good to have as we all know how a discussion can get out of control. The students can get excited about a topic and you simply can't pull the plug on a healthy discussion.
We as instructors must follow the real time schedule and improvise.
Leann,
Variety is an awesome pattern to adopt. Having many alternative activities that lend themselves to the instruction message we're trying to convey helps keep interest, focus, and makes for more interesting and enjoyable classes.
Barry Westling
