Back up plans
Sometimes what you have planed to do such as using the overhead, it may not work.
Lisa,
Back up plans are worth their weight in gold! Because when we're called upon to use them, usually the circumstances are less than wonderful. I keep my back up plans simple, easy to implement, low tech, and related to the main topic. I like reviews, discussions, and working from their student texts, as rarely will time be wasted with these kind of activities.
Barry Westling
While I was interviewing at my current college, I was asked to present a segment of one of my Powerpoint lectures. On occasion I have spent time drawing diagrams on my white board to learn the material myself. During my interviewing lecture, the electricity went out and with fluidity and grace, I reached for the markers and continued. Now I always learn to draw the important concepts on my board just in case of another speed-bump occurs during a lecture.
Leigh,
Great techniques to share with fellow forum readers. Being ready under whatever circumstances creates standout performances for instructors who are quick to adapt.
Barry Westling
Yes I agree, having a back up plan is just part of being a professional instructor. I always plan more actvities than I can get to in one class meeting. That way there is always some thing to jump to if something unexpected happens.
In my former life I was a professional theatrical technician...so when planning to use technical equipment I always set my equipment up ahead of time & cue it up to where I want to start, which saves tons of time. I find out in advance in the projector isn't working or the Internet is down...
Then there is time to grab an extra worksheet or a magizine article (from my files) to supplement my lesson.
Being able to think on ones feet & quickly change directions is measure of professionalism
Danny,
Great. Planning ahead is at the foundation of good back-up plans. It only takes one choatic event to prove the benefit of these plans.
Barry Westling
as part of my pre planning for class the night before Il will allways think about the plan for two & three days out in order to pull items that I have planned for the later days should I need them for the next morning due to technical difficulties, etc
Heather,
As to keeping interest, one sure fire activity I can always rely on is a story or situation from the past that students can visualize themselves in. Sharing work-related information is another thing they like to hear, especially since that's what we're preparing them for.
Barry Westling
I have a few "Plan C" ideas for every term. They can vary from breaking into groups and making diagrams to reasearching a topic or illness. I have found that even with the best of intentions and planning, some topics are difficult to keep the interest of the class.
Amir,
Back up plans can be literal life savers when technology or similar barriers confront a busy instructor.
Barry Westling
I have had this happen to me during class when I had computer problems and could not lecture off power point. I needed a back up plan. Thankfully I did and was able to continue.
John,
Great way of preparing for the worst and best case scenario's.
Barry Westling
When setting up a lesson plan I tend to have at least 3 versions. Two of these versions usually will not require machines. This way if it rains so to speak it doesn't pour, besides I have an umbrella.
James,
Good planning. I like to use "review for quiz", "pair-share discussions", and group sharing activities.
Barry Westling
"Murphy's Law" is an instructor's cog in the learning wheel. Having a back-up plan for the unit is prudent planning since we all know machines fail but we must not. Group activities are my usual stand-by since they promote student teaching/learning/problem solving.
Murielle,
It's inevitable that at some point, something will not go as planned and that's where having a good back up plan can be helpful. Students don't necessarily even have to know that the instructor is doing something different when good back up plans are implemented.
Barry Westling
I agree, I always make sure I can teach a class in different ways, if there are technical difficulties and I can't use my power point, I go to a discussion format and get through the material for the class.
Stacy,
Technical problems are much more likely these days due to computers, technology, and reliance on related instructional resources. A good back-up plan is worth it's weight in gold when an instructor experiences "one of those days".
Barry Westling
