Hi Casey:
Back up plans, in whatever setting, are a valuable resource to have at hand. I would imagine the resourses for developing a back-up plan or two would be abundant in the library.
Simple plans that can be initiated on short notice with little preparation but emphasize essential points at whatever level the student is at are best. Not having to rely on too much material, like dsiscussion, works well too.
Regards, Barry
Hello-I tend to over plan. I usually cover the most important things on the agenda first, but I like to have a few tricks up my sleeve, to mix things up if need be. I like to use multimedia, such as video clips as a springboard for conversation.
This is an area that I really need to develop and work on more since as a librarian when I get the chance to 'teach' I only have one opportunity to demonstrate the library resources and since it is all online and sometimes computers don't always agree--I need to think of more visuals and screen shots as a back up in case something would happen to the online resources that I need during the demonstration
Hi Jamison:
Good idea. These days, with so much dependence on electronic or technology to facilitate classes, our dependence can give false assurance that all will go well.
Therefore, I think the value of have good back up plans are relevant. For me, having something I can initiate on short notice, is pertinent to the general course of study, and something students will feel is beneficial, where we're not just wasting their time.
Over the years, some of my back up plans have been included in the regular curriculum (as I stumbled on to some really good material).
Regards, Barry
I have had powerpoint presentations ready for lecture but then the projector doesn't work. After this happen I am now more prepared with back-up plans, such as printed notes or case studies to discuss.
Hi Lola:
These are good examples, and some days, things just don't go a planned, thse are great ways to keep the students busy ad productive, rather than wasting a few hours due to unplanned interruptions in the days plan.
Regards, Barry
Hi Rebecca:
Good example of on course correction. The studnts probably felt as though this was you plan all along. That's always a measure of a good back-up plan - if the students cn't tell whether you planned the lesson this way or not.
I too always add a little extra, more than I'll probably get to, but it also gives me an opportunity to adjust or refocus if I feel the need.
Regards, Barry
Hi Megan:
Breaking into a lab session can be a great back-up plan. Also, discussion about previous or current topics is a is low tech, low key, but extrememly benefificial activity that can done with little preparation.
Regards, Barry
Hi Mo:
Yes! Variety is helpful not only as back up but also can be more interestring and make the whole learning experince a littlemore enjoyable.
Regards, Barry
I teach in both the classroom and clinical settings so, I always have an additional clinical site "on-call" as well as additional vidio lectures in case there is an unforeseen need.
I have the material that I plan on covering in class prepared. I also gather material that I can use if necessary, such as short video clips and in-class exercises. Sometimes, my class goes as planned. Other times, there may be a different variable involved.
My class was tired one morning and having trouble focusing. We deviated from the plan and watch a couple short videos. They enjoyed this modification.
The classes I teach are all hands-on massage therapy classes. For all of the classes, we have lecture and hands-on time. It's pretty simple for me to have a backup plans if the lecture portion starts going downhill. Usually I will have some type of hands-on activity that the students can do to cover the lecture information we were just talking about. It seems that a large majority of the students in the massage program are hands-on learners anyway. So most of them are pretty happy if we go from lecture to hands-on. Otherwise, I also keep videos, newspaper articles, and other things on hand to break it up and use as backup.
One of the methods I use for backup plans is to be ready to demonstrate methods and techniqes rather than specific recipes. I also have several different production schedules and production schedules for product assessment depending on the student count, equipment available and the student's level of experience.
Hi Mark:
The adaptability part of your post makes a lot of sense and seems very pragmatic. The thing about back up plans is they hve to be useable when what you have planned can't happen for whatever reason.
Regards, Barry
I feel if you really know the information you are teaching a back-up plan comes easy. In the restaurant industry if you cannot think on your feet you are sunk.
The method I use is. I check what is on my lesson plan before I leave home and adapted or adjust my lesson to what I actually receive on my cart when I get to work.
I make it a lesson in adaptability.
Hi Farrell:
Sure, these activities could work. Yet...suppose the VCR or DVD player is non-operational, or anything electronic is unavailable?
My sugesstion usually is to have a discussion topic related to the course, something that can be initiated with little preparation, and still has some significance for your students. Other ideas are to practice past lessons or have the students demonstrate their skills to the class.
Good back up plns are invaluable when they're called into action!
Regards, Barry
When there are times my student are lacking in learning, I feel a great back up plan is taking time out, looking at the material I'm using and redelivering the material by audio, or lecture.
Hi Christina:
You're being very rsponsive to theneeds of the material to be presented vs the needs of the students to learn it.
An aternative view of back up plans is to have something, relaively meaningful, that can pull off the shelf and initiated without much preparation. This is for "one of those days" when nothing seems to be going as planned. When it happens, these kind of bak-up plans are simply invaluable.
Regards, Barry
Hi Clarence:
Good plan. I have had stronger students "mentor" weaker students, which makes the mentors feel special, and the weaker students appreciative. Just another way to make the best of what resources we have available.
Regards, Barry
Hi Melanie:
I think whenever students are physically moving around, they're going to be attentive and retain more information.
As a back up, plan, what I like is you're giving your students additional opportunities to practice their skills. I feel that we hardly ever give all students all the time they need, so this is great to keep the students active, and the activity is meaningful to their studies.
Regards, Barry
