Back up plan
Back up plans are a must. But its easy to get off track if they dont relate to the subject. Just when you think you have seen every kind of learner there will be another style of person. I learn something new all the time.
Pat,
This sounds good. I might ask where this would occur if it were not a back-up plan? But I'm sure it must be included somewhere. Good back up plans are relative to the subject matter, low tech, implemmented on short notice, and engage students in a way they don't feel is just busy work. I have dreaded past cooments of "this class session was a waste of time". Every session counts.
Barry Westling
I use back up plans such as crossword puzzles and word searches for vocabulary words and their meanings when I find them not catching on the way I thought they would.
Joseph,
Good back-ups can be jus as effective as the planned activity, so much so the student may not even know that was not the planned activity. Low tech, easy to implement, topical and interesting are some components that better back up plans may include.
Barry Westling
The backup plan should be easy to understand and should appeal to the students. Humor in a backup plan is also helpful
Ron,
Bringing all of our skills, education and training, and work experience to integrate into course work really helps provide students with a very well rounded learning expierence. Our life experineces are the sum of everything we've achieved up to the moment. These can only be beneficial to students who are open and willing to receive what we have to offer.
Barry Westling
Barry,
When I first started out as an adjunct instructor it took me awhile before I paid attention to what was not working or having the desired results. I would try to MAKE things work. Then I learned to not only have a backup plan but to have a more dynamic approach to teaching. This is when I think I really put lifelong learning into practice when working with students.
Mark,
A good back-up plan can serve as "the main plan" if it has to. This supports your statement about switching plannned lesson activity. To the studewnts, they wouldn't even know the difference and would recieve the change up as "what the teacher had planmned all along".
Barry Westling
I have become better prepared with back up plans and using them to change course when I am running short of time as well as having too much time. I also am getting better at switching to plan b when the class is not going as planned rather than forcing the issue.
James,
One thing, being willing to learn is a sign of a good teacher. Lifelong learning is pertinent to teachers and students alike. As to the back-up plan, I try to keep them relevant, low tech, easy to implement on short notice, and able to keep students interested and busy without them feeling they're involved solely in busy work.
Barry Westling
