Staying on Schedule
Teaching a diverse group of students makes it hard to stay on schedule with the syllabus, do you have any suggestions for me to make sure that we have covered the material and stay on schedule?
Priscilla Bamberg
Alecia,
This is a good way for the students to personalize the content. They get to see how it can be applied outside of the classroom and this increases the value of the course to the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to also encourage students to try supplemental materials at home before coming to class. Sometimes there are students who need additional time on task before coming to class.
I'm my field it is hard to stay on schedule because of the topic that we teach. there a lot of side notes that are encouraged by the school and therefor the difficulty arises.
Joseph,
Good balance to your planning as you have the planning you need to keep the class moving forward while being able to insert activities as they are needed. This is what good instructional planning is about.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I always have a few short supplemental activities at the bottom of my lesson plan for each class. I push forward to make sure the objectives for the day are met and if we get done early I'll use an activity that most matches the area where students seem to be having difficulty. Sometimes class discussion just gets off-track. It is my job as a teacher to get it back on track in a timely manner.
Connie,
This is a good way to adapt your instructional delivery to reflect what is going on in the class. Teaching requires flexibility and you have built it into your planning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I stay on schedule by adjusting the daily lesson plan as we move through our scheduled time. I have found that some learning activities can be shortened and/or eliminated due to students understanding of the topic or content while other content may need more focus.
Luanna,
This is a great strategy and thanks so much for sharing it. Many instructors are challenged by rabbit trail discussions and you have given them a way to respond but also keep the class moving forward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sometimes I like to (I stole this idea by the way) "put it in the parking lot". I tell students up front, that they sometimes we are going to have questions. I answer all the ones that are related to the topic; unfortunately, in healthcare, we end up on Aunt Gladys' gallbladder pretty quickly! So when we start to bunny trail off topic, I just write it on the board in a special box I label "parking lot". I keep time at the days end to answer those specific questions. Then all the other learning activities are completed. No one feels ignored.
I like this advice Jennifer. I will sometimes have a few students that still have many questions even after spending quite some time on a topic (when it is a difficult and complex topic). I find that if I tell that student to see me in my office hours after having spent a great deal of time on that topic in class, then that allows the rest of the class to move forward and not be held back by a single student who does not understand....and it allows the student who does not understand to get his/her needs met as well.
Jennifer,
Good way to keep the questions in perspective and controlled. This way students get their questions answered but you are able to keep the class moving forward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Whenever there is a difficult topic to be covered, or there are a lot of questions students have it can be difficult to push ahead without seeming like you are trying to avoid answering the questions or clarifying statements. However, stating to the class that there can be a period for Q/A's following the class time or to come see the instructor during a break for any clarification may be ways to stay on point day by day.
Frances,
They this information so they can see how the different objectives are helping them to move forward in the course and achieve success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
this can be difficult. instructors should have a variety of teaching methods for students with various learning levels. Structure is critical. Put objectives on board at the start of class; so students have an ideal of what is being covered
Neida,
Students like recognition and rewards as they move through the course. They also need to develop self discipline so they will be able to be successful out in the work place. By helping them to acquire knowledge, experience and self management you are getting them ready for career success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Teaching a diverse group of students makes it hard to stay on schedule with the syllabus because some of them have difficulty with the organizational skills and is worst if they have difficulty with English language. You need to create different levels in the classroom; some teacher has complained to do it but is not so difficult. First you can easily fixed by providing a routine and clearly stating directions and expectations. These students often forget homework, have messy desks, cannot keep track of their materials and do not have time management skills. Teachers can help these students by having them follow a structured routine and provide them with strategies that will keep them organized. Give them a small reward each day is a great stimulus. The use of levels in the classroom will help your disorganized student manage their responsibilities and be more involve in their education and will stay on syllabus schedule.
Neida Soliván
I have the same problem. Any suggestions?
