Instructional back-up plan
I realized the importance of back-up plans because it is really true that sometimes students are failing to understand the keypoints of our presentation.
Plan B is so important and based on the bad experience from Plan A it becomes easier to choose a better type of presentation and with all the instructional supports available a big relief is easy to accomplish. Thanks for the awareness.
Michael,
Good. Sometimes, cutting away from the plan is the best way to keep students focused and interested in the subject.
Barry Westling
I teach technical information to students and I have found that there is no one way to teach a subject. Each class is different with different learning styles. I have stopped in the middle of lecture to go to lab and do a hands on demonstration just to get the point across and I have stopped lab to show a power point that better describes what I am trying to teach.
Hi Maksuda,
Back-up plans can be used to complement planned lesson activities as you state. Sometimes, the timing of a class is off and a good back-up plan is perfect to fill out the period without students feel instructional time was wasted. One cool activity is to break the class into 1-3 groups (depending on size), and have them answer questions collectively within their group, then come back and present to the whole class. The teacher can still add to the information, amplify it or offer alternative answers, depending on the correctness. Students benefit by group discussion, hear correct information repeated, and reinforce essential concepts. Repetition and engagement really help student learn and develop critical thinking skills.
Barry Westling
I also think it is very important to have a back-up plan. For example if you have a powerpoint ready, but the students are not understanding it, or the computer stops working. You want to have an alternative to do, so the class time is not wasted. Also sometimes one method of teaching doesn't do it. students need to see the same thing done differently to understand clearly.
Hi Romeo,
Yeah, back-up plans can be invaluable. Thanks for your post.
Barry Westling
