Its important to have the course content fit the course requirements. If you plan the content early enough, you have time to make changes. As an online instructor this doesn't really apply to me because I am given a course to teach with all of the content already inserted, and am not allowed to make any changes.
It provides organization and clarity for the instructor as well as the students. It allows for preparation of a variety of activities and for an even distribution of work. It can address many frequently asked questions about classroom policies and expectations ahead of time, so the instructor does not have to spend as much time on those maintenance issues.
Jennifer Stevens
It allows us to present to the student confidence and knowledge. We want the student to believe we are experts in our field. If we come to class prepared, we have enough material to cover the full class period time, and we have handouts and assignments to facilitate learning, the students will not only come to class being able to learn, but ENJOY coming to class because they know the time is productive and thorough.
Hi Elizabeth,
Good point. Planning is what is going to move the class forward. Planning is what is going to help the students to acquire the needed knowledge. Planning is going to make class management easier. So in summary planning is where it begins and must continue each time any instructor steps into the classroom.
Gary
Sometimes it's easy for instructors to take the easy road and do minimal prep. They may feel as though the know the material well enough that little or even no mental preparation is needed. What I've found to be true is that it takes only the slightest distraction to throw me off track and the rest of the class lecture / discussion / demo suffers a bit. You can't do enough planning - it not only prepares you as an instructor but gives you the tools to run an efficient and effective class
The better and more fully a class is planned out before time, the more smoothly it operates. Knowing what your expectations for the end of the term, means that you can break the class down into subparts with distinct goals for each and create movement and correlation among them. Without this students often feel there is little guidance in the class or little point.
It allows you time to prepare for students/situations that might need additional help. The more time you have to have optional lesson plans or backup solutions, when a crisis or issues comes up, your are prepared to deal with it in a quick and efficient manner; without disrupting the flow of the course.
I feel the instructor has a fantastic opportunity to create a positive "first day" experience. To empathize with each anxiety filled student and hark back to their own angst in that situation, allows an instructor set the tone for a favorable culture of learning.
It also allows the instructor to feel confident and calm. It is better to have too much information, than not enough. It is much easier to trim down due to time restrictions. Allowing students to leave early, will lower their goals for the course, and consequently they may not try and push themselves are hard as they can. Planning out the whole term, also gives the students confidence that they are getting what they paid for.
Hi Sheila and thanks for your observations. I have found too that effective course planning takes a great deal of time, but it is so imperative to successful student outcomes. I beleive adult learners in particular need to see how each concept and activity/application leads to the next and supports the big picture.
Jay Hollowell
MaxKnowledge
Early planning is key to tying the entire course together class-by-class as well. For example, they would see how certain classes contribute to the execution of a project later in the course etc.
It is important to remember how much time this preparation and planning takes. Instructors should be able to get course assignments and textbooks with plenty of advance time to plan the entire course and the learning activities for each class before the course begins.
Sometimes it is hard to determine what is the best route to go when it comes to a classroom and by preparing a comprehensive plan ahead of time it takes away some of the anxiety of teaching and let you relax and enjoy the students. Students can tell when the lesson plan was planned or not. I have come back to teaching after being in my field of study for a while. I notice the looks on the students faces when things are getting boring or the information is over their heads. It is not always easy to find a way to explain something that is complicated to someone that does have any background in that particular area. By planning, contingencies can be in place to simplify the lesson.
I agree. I feel much more confident when I am thoroughly prepared and have had ample opportunity to review just prior to class. It is the early preparation that provides the opportunity for such review. Preparing for the first time just prior to teaching does not allow time to investigate outstanding questions on course materials or to pull in supplemental resources.
Hi Zbigniew,
Right you are. By setting up the situation in such a manner that the students can see how they can contribute to the discussion they will join in and be a part of the class. With success like this they will build confidence and become even more involved in the course.
Gary
It will engage students in discovering answers; ask questions that will expand explenations. Its all in the set-up / planning.
Hi Jeff,
Well said. Sounds like you have found a very effective way of using technology effectively to reach your students both in class and online. By planning you are reducing the time spent answering logistical questions and more time on content questions.
Gary
I teach both "on-ground" and the same course via the Internet. I conduct essentially the same course for both groups. In fact there is often a mix of students in the same course at the same time. I have found that the only way this is successful is when I VERY carefully plan the class and the use of technology to deliver the content and reach outcome. When I plan carefully it takes pressure off the students and I receive far fewer questions about "what am I supposed to do".
Planning is critical.
Hi James,
The understanding of where the students are coming from and the pressures they are facing in their lives needs to be understood by instructors. This doesn't mean that the standards of the courses are compromised but with the understanding alternatives can be explored on an as needed basis when needed.
Gary
Students in higher education are under numerous pressures, put upon them by their coursework, but also by work, family, etc. Many are not full-time students, and are taking coursework as they can. These learners need to be able to expect effective and efficient formal learning situations and events. The lack of planning will affect not only the learner's morale and commitment toward the subject matter, but may create negative impressions of the school, which can lead to retention issues.
If you know where you are going you can be a beter model and mentor
