Documenting Your Lesson Plans
What is the purpose and value of documenting your lesson plans?
just in case an emergency happens your sub will have a lesson plan set and ready. prevents confusion
Documenting lesson plans is not only important for an instructor to be organized and be able to recall past lectures and classes, but it also saves time for planning future lesson plans for the same class. After determining the foundation of each lecture, which in my opinion takes the most time, it makes it easier in future semesters/years to take each lecture and update its content to include more contemporary examples. In addition, it can also aid new instructors when they are finding it difficult to find useful examples for how to construct their class lectures. When a teaching community is supportive and open to helping fledgling instructors adjust to the demands of creating a curriculum and understanding the subtleties of classroom time management. Lastly, documenting lesson plans is really a teaching portfolio for every instructor. Over the years, one can look back and see how they have grown as an instructor and to see how one's teaching strategies have progressed and developed.
it has occurred, that I have been challenged by a student, post exam, that a particular topic was not discussed in class. By having documented lesson plans, I was able to tell the student the class the topic was discussed and the class that I discussed the topic again for continuity and sequencing.
In some fields of study, the accrediting body for licensure may require your program is addressing specific objectives. Lesson plans are a good way of tracking in which courses and classes you are addressing these objectives specifically.
The biggest reason is so that if you happen to teach that same course again you have resources to pull from. Having to make small changes instead of creating something from scratch saves time.
I document my lesson plans for many reasons. I am able to look back at them from quarter to quarter and adjust accordingly. I also want to be able to show my supervisors and regulating agencies upon request. It also makes it easier if another instructor has to cover my class. It also builds my portfolio for potential career opportunities.
Documenting lesson plans definitely makes life easier/less stressful if one will teach the same course in the future. Also, it will make life easier for a substitute teacher should you become ill. In addition, during evaluations, administrators might like to have a copy of one's lesson plan.
I am an accounting instructor. A good lesson plan is an important tool that focuses on both me and the students on the purpose of that particular lesson and, if carefully constructed and followed, enable learners to efficiently meet their goals. I always start with a review of previously learned material. I look at new material and look to introduce it followed by opportunities for students to practice and be evaluated on what they learned. I try to consider more than just what is going to be taught and how it will be taught (materials, equipment, and activities). I’ve learned this by experience. My way to evaluate is to receive feedback on how the lesson went.
Documentation of lesson plans not only help keep you on a guided schedule, but can help next time when you teach the course. You will have prepared the class, taught the class, and should have been able to evaluate what worked or maybe did not work so well as far as keeping the students engaged,on track and facilitate retention, not just memorization. Documentation is important on an administrative level as well.If there are any questions concerning the material being covered in class, or if somebody needs suggestion (if they are teaching the course for the first time), you already have everything "organized" if you document your lesson plans. Saves time all the way around.
Richard,
Excellent point. Consistency is an often overlooked quality for establishing instructor credibility. It is important that students view their instructor as being consistent, so that they are aware of their expectations and are treated fairly.
Tremayne Simpson
The value of documenting the lesson plans is to allow me to follow the class material, manage my class time efficiently and always deliver the material the same way.
For me, it keeps me organized and on track which allows for a nice flow in the classroom. It is also nice for the days when you cannot make it to class and need a sub. Everything is all laid out and ready to go.
Lesson plans are a must for me. Keeps me organized and ready for my students. I also post my lesson plan on a board in my classroom for those students who are absent to follow.
It is important to me to document my lesson plans so that I may return to them at a later point when I teach the course again and review what I can update, change, or improve.
Lesson plans helps me to refine and spruce up my lectures from year to year. They let me know what worked and what didn't. Of course, they help me return to the subject at hand within a lecture if I go off on a tangent.
Lou,
I agree. Also, "standardizing" is commonly perceived as a negative word, however in the case, it is important that all teachers (that teach similar courses) are consistant and are meeting the learning objectives with similar methods.
Tremayne Simpson
Joseph,
How often do you update your lesson plans, specifically for courses that you have taught more than once?
Tremayne Simpson
Albert,
Excellent points! Instructors should always be prepared, no matter what unforeseen issues occur prior or during the class session.
Tremayne Simpson
Cynthia,
This is an excellent method for documenting your lesson plans.
Tremayne Simpson
