Plan B
Most of us do not have plan B when we go to our classrooms. But I beive it is very essential.
Arthur,
One on one, along with personalized instruction, student centered learning, and keeping the class interesting and upbeat with content that relates to the work setting is very beneficial. Students will listen and participate when they feel there is some benefit to them personally.
Barry Westling
Since I teach at a career college I have students that are fresh out of high school and others that have been in the field for many years. Because of that reason and my small class sizes my plan "B" is to spend one on one time with my students. This has worked very well for me.
Marilyn ,
Great! Sounds like you've got a good methodology.
Barry Westling
The typodonts are used to stimulate scaling and probing on patients. Case studies and patient values are incorporated in patient care. These are reviewed before patients are seen and show up. The clinic simulates what would occur in an office as far as duties when patients don't show. One of the things that is done is review of case studies for the national board if the patients don't show.
Marilyn ,
Keeping busy and productive is an important objective when things don't go (or can't go) as planned. In the setting you describe, perhaps discussions of case studies, review of patient values, or simulated practice would be appropriate. Whatever it is, back up plans should be relevant, easy to implement, and contribute to student learning.
Barry Westling
I work in a clinical setting and when the patients don't show we have different whys that the skills can be practiced. They are asked what they will do to be productive with the time and suggestions are made if they aren't sure. They get to choose but also have requirements to complete
Hi Rochelle,
Yep! You've described a key role for having back-up plans.
Barry Westling
Even the most well-thought out plans for the class room fall through because of unforseen circumstances or situations.
If you don't have a Plan B then you will fail and the students will sometimes lose faith in your instructional ability.
We as instructors must adapt to any given situation. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses as an instructor will help you to understand how to handle situations that call for immediate action in another direction.
If you fail to plan....you plan to fail!
Latoya,
These days, it just seems Murphys's Law rules: "If somethoing can go wrong it probably will". So a Plan-B is not just a good idea but should be a requirement for every class. I use acitivities that low tech, can be implemmented on short notice and without preparation, and realted to the topic or major subject matter.
Regards, Barry
I always have a back up plan during class whether it be a group assignment, game, worksheet, crossword or word search puzzle. I think that it not only keeps the students engaged but it keeps the classes from being repetitive. Also, I will let the students choose an activity that they would like to do, such as creating their own games to play in class or forming groups to make note cards for studying.
Hi Guadalupe:
Back up plans are good for a lot of things. One is when nothing is going as planned. Another is if the teacher wants or needs to break up the routine and add something different - something not planned.
Yet another is for students who want or need extra work because they are either very strong student or very weak students. In either case, additional exercises can potentially help either type of student.
Regards, Barry
I always have a back up plan. I guess it's my military training.
Hi Cem:
Actually, my belief is that many teachers will prepare more than they have time to present, just in case extra time is available, something planned does not go as planned, or for when stronger students ask for more material. That' when having a back-up or plab-B is indispensible.
Regards, Barry
