I actually just read the best idea I've heard. It is such a simple idea also. Take notes. When you make a mistake jot down, why the mistake was made and how you corrected it. Having a "book of mistakes" was an incredible idea and I am going to start mine right away!!!
Tyson
Hi Carolyn,
Nicely said! As instructors, your focus should not be about winning a popularity contest. You focus should be on making sure the student learns the material so that they can perform in the workplace.
I see a lot of new instructors try to be friends with the students, especially younger instructors with students of the same age or older. They tell inappropriate jokes, let students avoid policies, or work the classroom like it's a popularity contest. When students get to me, they think it's unfair that I stick to campus policies or require actual work of them because they were allowed to slide in the past. I politely yet firmly let them know that I only do what I know to be right and I cannot speak for anyone else, but inside I am frustrated. These students graduate with our name on their diplomas, and while I am immensely proud of many of them, some should not have been allowed to "slide by" because the instructor wants to be liked.
It's human nature to want to be liked and to try to avoid conflict, but those who can't find a way to move out of that comfort zone may not be prepared to teach in some environments.
Hello Dee,
My belief is simple. I simply do not believe in mixing professional with personal. Most students can care less about your personal life--they want to learn.
Patricia
Hi LE,
Instructors must prepare just like students must prepare. As instrructors, when we walk into a classroom being fully prepared, we feel better about everything, and we are in a great mood.
Patricia
The best way to avoid mistakes is to be adequately prepared for class. I find that things go much better when I do my homework and prepare properly for class.
Hi Marie! I agree with you completely. So many times, instructors start "rambling" on about personal stories...they may get off on a tangent, or think this is somehow beneficial to the students, or maybe they are just poorly prepped for class, but it's never helpful, and you usually lose the class. I remember how it felt to be a student in a class like that! You can't help but think, "I'm paying a lot of money and investing a lot of time and effort to hear this woman go on and on about herself..."!
Hi Michelle,
It sounds like you are a very prepared instructor. It is important to have photocopies made a day in advance because you never know what can happen to the copier or printer.
Patricia
The easiest way to avoid common mistakes, in my opinion, is to be completely prepared for class. I always have an outline of what I plan to do for each class session, which I put on the board so that we can all stay on track. I try to have all of my materials put together the day before we meet (i.e. making sure all photocopies are made), which allows me to focus on other things on the day of class, such as doing a quick review of the material if necessary. If I do make a mistake, I am willing to fess up to my students immediately. I believe that it is better to be honest about something than to allow them to see through me. Also, if I admit to a mistake, it allows the students to see that I am human too and not perfect.
Hi George,
Teaching is a profession that each time you teach a course, you become better in all areas, such as knowledge base, dicplinary actions, teaching methods, etc. I've been doing it for over 20 years, and I am still perfecting areas.
Patricia
Hi Mike,
I've learned it is always better to be over preapraed instead of under prepared. When you are under prepared it is very obvious to the students.
Patricia
I always try to be overprepared...that way fewer things can go wrong and cause distractions. A thorough lesson plan is a must, and real world experience with the subject matter is sure to make the most out of the students' ability to successfully learn the material.
By being well prepared and having the confidence in yourself to work with the students to provide the best instruction available.
If you follow all of the practical suggestions provided throughout this course, you will have the basics under control and you only have to deal with situations that arise, these will primarily be issues of your students, which you can help to resolve.
Hello Aimee,
Students will immediately attack you if you follow the rule of inconsistency. Students like consistency.
Patricia
be clear about your expectations and follow them consistently
Hi Diana,
I am a 20-year veteran, and I still prepare. It does not matter how many times I've taught the course.
Patricia
Hi Daniel,
You are on point, much can be learned from a fellow instructor. Having insight is always a positive thing. By having insight, you know how to prepare.
Patricia
Preparation works for me. I have been teaching for many years and I still plan and prepare like I did when I first started. If I do make a mistake, we laugh.
Aside from the most common answer of being prepared, I think that instructors need to focus on their class prior to the class beginning with enough time to get centered on the subject. Alot of times, too much is going on and we lose focus on the subject and topics for the class. Another thing that instructors can do is to talk to their fellow instructors to see what problems they have had and prepare again for such possibilities.
Hi Marie,
Preparedness is no doubt rated #1! It makes you feel better as an instructor whenever you walk into the classroom, and you are thoroughly prepared!
Patricia
