Hi Peter:
Another idea is to create these and use them regardless, just as a way of breaking up the monotony of the learning environment.
Regards, Barry
Hi Melissa:
Another idea to consider about using these tools, is that they might be used anyway, just as a way to change up the flow of the class.
Regards, Barry
Hi Misty:
One idea is to use these back ups no matter what, as a way of just breaking up the monotony that may occur of doing the same thing all the time.
Regards, Barry
Most of the replies have covered my strategies. I would add that I have copies all my materials in the Dept. head office. The same materials are stashed electonically on a server ouside of the school. A download away... just in case.
Since my class is a one night per week discussion-based course on environmental issues, I essentially develop the course as a general outline of traditional "lecture" material withslides, examples, etc., with the expectation that at any point one topic that generates more interest may lead us down un "unplanned" direction. When this happens I reduce part of that night's planned lecture. But overall, since each night is at most two topics, with a break in between, this does not, in my opinion, reduce the learning expereince.
Hi LeeAnn:
Sometimes it might be a good idea to just have these back-up plans no matter what as a way of changing up the atmosphere a little, and using another perspective to learn material.
Regards, Barry
Hi Sarrah:
That's great! Another idea might also be to have activities to use for everyone regardless of their level of understanding, merely for the use of another technique that offers a new perspective.
Regards, Barry
Backup plans are essential to teaching. Technology does not always work, students are absent, climate in the classroom is off....I like to have little activities that I can pull out that help fill the time as well as re-enforce what we are doing. I also try to make them fun--games are the best.
This is an area that I need to do much better in, so am looking for ideas that will work. Therefore I am very interested in reading what works for others. I also need to figure out how to find enough time to add new strategies to those I already use in my classes.
Because I have a night class as well as day, my students at night have a tendency to be exhausted on arrival. I would normally have my daily plan from the day class ready to repeat. Once I start my daily plan, I can tell when I don't have a truly appreciative audience in front of me. I read the face and body language, and realize that I need something a little more motivating, physical perhaps. I usually will switch over to selecting small groups and request that each group act out players in a deposition or court setting to be presented to the entire class at a certain point. This would be an extreme change from my everyday plan, but it works. I got their attention, and they were excited and started putting their minds and skills to work. I have a lot of creative back-up plans ready to go.
Honestly, usually my demo and production based class runs pretty much like clockwork, but I always have a few activities up my sleeve for classes that seem to be really efficient at getting their kitchen production finished early. Additional support videos, the occasional "Jeopardy" games, or behind the science type mini lectures always fill gaps nicely.
I am a new instructor and love all these ideas ! I see that having a backup plan is as vital as the actual lesson plan. Thanks!
Being in allied health we have more opportunity to add hands on activities to reinforce the material and skills learned. So I usually have video for the visual and auditory learners. Hands on activities in the class help the hands on learners. The time passes faster in the classes that we all get to do activities in and these activities can be great classroom time fillers.
I really try to set my classes up as we read it talk about the material then practice the skill or skills.
Great idea! ... especially if you teach the same courses over and over. You can prepare in advance and seize the opportunity when it presents itself.
I keep worksheets for use in groups and activities to use for a change in instruction or if I have extra time.
I plan a lecture and that usually goes pretty well. Occassionally, the class will not engage and I will incorporate a "white board" illustration or call on students to participate in active learning activities. Small group projects and surveying the class also gets class involvement moving in the right direction. Sometimes a round of triva related to the subject matter is all it takes to get everyone engaged.
Barry, when I find my students are losing interest in the class, instead of what I may have had planned for the class, I try and bring out a different lesson plan or something that challenges them to keep them motivated and interested, instead of losing them for the night.
I need to plan in advance. If I need to add material, I will be ready, excited, organized and ready for class.
Barry,
The course I teach is primarily lecture. Unfortunately, I do not have the option to deviate from course material that often. However, I do try to implement some hands-on activities whenever time permits. In doing so, I break the students into small groups and hand out a series of parts and tools of the trade. During this activity, I ask them to identify certain things about the items they are given by answering cetain questions. I also ask them to hold any questions that they may heve for me, and to discuss possible soultions among their group. After, all class members have had some time to identify all their items; I then ask that one representitive from each group presnet their findings, as well as ask any questions that they may have. The students oftenm find this activity beneficial.
Joe
Planning ahead is critical. I will have prepared sufficiently for my next several class periods so that if something isn't going well, I am adequately prepared with copies, lecture material, pretests, or activities to choose from. Often, several classes focus on the same topic area, so it is important to have a variety of exercises that you can pick from.
