Developing instructional backup plans
What are some methods you use to develop backup plans for delivery instruction to your students?
Sometimes games are a good redirecting tool to put people back on track and wake them up. Every day needs to have a plan (B) close by. I find that plan (B) HAS TO BE FUN because it shows the students that you are always thinking about them and you are always prepared.
Until taking this course, the need for a back up plan never occurred to me honestly. I teach Pharmacology 1 and Medical Surgical Nursing 1 and plan to have case study information and trivia games available as back up at all times. I'm glad I took this course before the need arose or I would have been caught flat-footed so to speak.
I have them research further into a topic and focus on a smaller area of interest. At times I also have them work as pairs and do mock scenarios.
Susan,
Good back up plans will work under most situations, regardless of the reason to implemment them.
Barry Westling
I develop my main plan and have a couple different back ups in case there is a bump in the road... one being a particular segment takes longer than anticipated ( I have the ability to take time out of another segment by perhaps a homework research assignment to make the connection to the additional information) or we breeze thru it. (in this case I have additional handouts and materials available to further engage the students in said topic) in either case flexibility is needed as an instructor
George,
Great! For me, most of my PPT lectures are mostly discussions, with very little PPT.
Barry Westling
One method I found to be effective was to break away from the power point and inject some real life experience relative to presentation. I'm still keeping with the course material, just presenting it verbally.
Nick,
Stories are great. They capture attention, and usually, students can relate to (and therefore remember) key portions of the message.
Barry Westling
I will generally use a story as a back up plan. Stories that are of course related to my real life experiences with whatever the topic may be at the time. This can also really aid in refocusing the students.
William,
This sounds good. Sometimes the need for a back up plan is dictated by circumstances beyond our control. Low tech, easy to access, and material that's related to the general content generally work best for me.
Barry Westling
some of the methods I use to develop a back up plan is to have multiple sets of instructional tools to help the students learn for their specific learning style. I learn the best with the hands on approach, but some students like to read and learn. So if a majority on my students are reading learners I might not get the info across to them. so I switch up my method with more work sheet style lesson.
Linda,
Sometimes the backup plan ends up being the more effective approach. That's happened for me many times. This also breaks the fear of trying something new.
Barry Westling
I have always used trial and error over time with extra activities that I know have worked before. Mostly I like to get students up and moving.
Cynthia,
Good tip! I agree, students like hearing about the work setting they're studying for.
Barry Westling
My go to method is to relate the topic to my full-time job. 90% of the time that triggers at least one other student to discuss a similar event at his/her job which then triggers another student and before you know it, we have a full-blown discussion going on. They don't even know that they are learning something by that point!
Heather,
Good deal. Sometimes, matching stronger students with weaker students helps keep the two "levels" moving in the direction that helps keep them closer to meeting the student outcomes.
Barry Westling
I'm finding that my different groups of students really vary in their interest level and knowledge base. Having a back-up plan does give me the opportunity to review with students that are having trouble. I also have a back up for more advanced students to cover the topic more thoroughly or in a bit more detail than I normally would if the students are understanding a bit faster.
Yvonne,
Yep, a good back up plan can save the day from an otherwise "worst day of the month" kind of experience.
Barry Westling
very good post, I is exceptional to have bck-up plan. You will never know when something may go wrong or when your class finish an assignment early..
