Smart move Jennifer! Experiences have thought you well. ~ Sandra
Hi Masami,
The early planning part can come at anytime depending on when you learn what course(s) you will be teaching. I have started a year before teaching a course as well as 24 hours when I got assigned a course over the weekend prior to the class starting. Ideally have a month to six weeks to plan out what you are going to do would be great.
As for time that will depend on you and how your structure your course. Create a comprehensive outline and then start putting in activities under the objectives and you will start to see how much time you are going to need to completely flesh out the course.
Gary
It is important for instructors to do early and comprehensive planning due to create successful course. It is because instructors can review and revise the course map. In this way, instructors present effective teaching methods to the student.
How much time and how early should instructors start planning?
Hi Mark,
You are right about the need for sharing the "road map" for the course. What are some of the methods you use to help your students to understand the road map and get started on the course journey.
Gary
It provide you as the instructor a road map to follw and lead the students on the way to learning.
Hi Amber,
Good point. The fun part about being a teacher is there are never two class meetings that are the same. The challenging part of being a teacher is there are never two class meetings that are the same. We have to be flexible and have the ability to adapt our delivery to meet the needs of the day. If we don't it makes for a very difficult class for everyone.
Gary
I have learned that in a class session many things can change or possible alter the flow of the class, and the more prepared I am as instructor allows me to continue eith learning objectives without to much deviation.
Hi Jim,
I can really appreciate what you are going through because I have been through it myself. The unknown is traumatic when you are planning your instructional delivery. I wish you the best as you move through the next three weeks.
Gary
Planning ahead has always hepled me calm the nerves and have a smooth running class. Our school is changing our curriculum in three weeks and all I have is the syllabus. It is driving me nuts not having the work book that the students will be using to be able to plan out the time to spend on each subject.
Planning and preparation, gives the instructor more control, and flow of the subject to be taught. It gives more organization to the students learning. It is easier for me to list the items to be covered, so I do not leave anything out, making a better foundation and sequencing for the student to follow.
Comprehensive planning is important because many students may not understand the end use of the instruction/course. By early and comprehensive planning on the part of the instructor, through the progression of the lessons, students hopefully will see the importance of the course in the overall curriculum. I firmly believe this better prepares them for future development of their ultimate professional goals.
You have to think carefully through what subject matter has preceeded this topic and what will follow. This is essential for Initial & Continuing motivation.
Planning is important because it helps me determine "How can I help the student learn.
Hi Angel,
I agree. I have had instructors that did not plan and it made for a very long class every time my class met. They just wondered around the room talking without really saying anything. This approach is not fair to anyone so the more we can plan the more effective the learning will be.
Gary
clear planing for the subject is a true advantage for the instructor and a insight for the students. planing the course and giving the students a clear direction and assesment of what is in place to go throught.
This is so important because it will reflect in the students' learning level and respect for the class/instructor. If an instructor teaches with no set agenda, students tend to lose respect and trust in the class and will easily feel overwhelmed. Thus creating a nonconducive learning environment.
If students are not clear in what is required and where the class is going they will not be focused on their own learning but rather trying to figure out where the instructor is coming from or going to.
It is vital to plan and plan well, because it helps the the instructor make sure that all material is covered completely and in a logical order. It also helps to combat the nervousness that new instructors will be facing.
Hi Jeremy,
What a great attention getter without any explanation. To this day he has you wondering why the rubber chicken? He made the impact he wanted in a way that got your attention and helped you learn what could have been a dry subject. Thanks for sharing this example with us.
Gary
I remember once I had a class at a local community college and the instructor brought in a rubber chicken on the first day of class. He put the chicken on his podium and while he talked we all looked at him with curiousity. I never understood why Mr. Green had this rubber chicken on his desk, but I never forgot his name nor his lessons. He made himself and Nevada History interesting for the listener. It goes to show how a little preparation can go such a long ways. I will never forget that guy. Has anyone brought in the rubber chicken to class yet?
Hi Amy,
If an instructor is not prepared then he/she falls into the desperation mode of instruction and no one benefits from that kind of teaching. As you say it is so much better to be able to walk into the class with confidence and know you are ready to be there.
Gary
