Richard,
It's interesting that you bring this up. I also have multiple backups to avoid missing my assignments.
Hello Ali,
You're quite right. It's better to be respected than liked. Of course we want our students to like us, and so on. However, teaching is our job. Its more important to present the material accurately, to set clear standards and to be consistent.
Teaching is not an easy profession. Like other lines of work there is a strong "learning by doing" component. That is, I have learned from my mistakes and do my best not to repeat them.
While there are so many mistakes that can be made, here are a couple of things that I've found to be useful.
I agree with everyone who says that preparation is key. I have to have prepared my lessons and reviewed them thoroughly before I present in class.
I come to class before the official start of class and start on time. That signals to the class that I take the learning environment seriously.
I have a clear late policy and stick to it. If I suspect a paper is not a students work, I follow up and so on.
Preparation is the key. If a instructor is not prepared, student recognize it right away. As instructor you may lose respect from your students if you appear unorganized. Being prepared, practicing and being organized are all key.
Research your topic. Complete the assignments you assign so that you will be ready for any questions students may have. Find multiples ways to present a topic. When you teaching different sections of the same course, often times what you did in one class does not work in another. Finding out how students learn helps as well.
Hi Mark,
You are on point! I like your outlook! I can tell you give your students your all and all. Continue to be an effective instructor by doing what you are doing.
Patricia Scales
Hi Rebecca,
Binders are excellent to help with preparation for a course and with organization.
Patricia Scales
First of all, It is important to put the students first. Don't worry about yourself, and concentrate on what the students need and how you are going to present the material.
Next, I think it is best to be prepared for class. Take the time to makes sure All the materials are ready and present a well organized class. That will show the students that you are confident in your teaching abilities.
Finally, having a set of classroom rules and sticking too them will put both the students as ease and well as the instructor. It will also help build a positive image for the instructor.
I read through the replies to this subject and agree with "being well prepared".
I remember when I first started teaching how I would go over the material many times in order to be ready to teach the topic.
I have binders now that I keep the powerpoints, lecture notes and suggested activities that go along with each subject matter.
Hi Lynne,
We are all human, therefore we all make mistakes. Learn from them and move on.
Patricia Scales
Hi Bobbi,
Great response! Preparation is the key to success.
Patricia Scales
Hi Wayne,
Picking a seasoned instructor's brain is an excellent way to learn the tricks of the trade so to speak.
Patricia Scales
Hi Lauren,
I can tell you are prepared and ready for your students daily. Keep up the good work.
Patricia Scales
The three key words: Prepare, Prepare, Prepare. I probably spend as much time preparing as I do in actual class time. Each semester I "tweek" my presentations to 1) include relevant material in a more meaningful way, 2)change my presentation in class based on how the prior class has received and retained the information.
Students always seem to ask a question that has never been asked before....so I always try to look at the subject material from many different angles to try and anticipate the "unexpected" question. In some cases, I will have to do some research and get back to the student.....but I now have the information for "next time" the question arises! It's a constant learning experience both for me and for the class.
I also try and relate our class material to practical everyday use...that helps make it relevant to the students. Sometimes humor will help get the point across. I try to manage the class from intense material...to light-hearted and maybe off-subject interjections. This also helps reduce monotonous presentations.
Some of my classes run 3.5 hours long. The instructor needs to regulate the "flow" to maintain interest. When I see eyes start to glass-over, I know it's time for a quick change of topic (humor involving everyday events seems to work well). It's always a challenge...that's why I enjoy it so much!
Hi Shannon,
I can tell you are a true professional. You know how to play your role as an instructor.
Patricia Scales
Showing that an instructor is human generates a sense of mutual trust within the classroom if it is handled in a positive manner.
Being prepared for the class is the best way to avoid mistakes. Know what you are going over and think about any questions that may be asked by the students so that you can have an answer ready. Always admit your mistake and correct it so students can see you are human and make mistakes as well and that it is ok to make a mistake as long as you correct it and learn from it.
I believe the best way to avoid common mistakes is to ask questions of other instructors and be
prepared every day before class.
Beng prepared and having good organization. Knowing what you will lecture on and giving assessmenets based on the same information and having papers graded promptly and returned to students is important so that they are able to keep up with their grade adn there are no surprises at the end of the course.
By remaining organized, prepared, and confident an instructor can avoid common mistakes. If an instructor is organized and works efficiently errors can be avoided and the class will run smoothly. Being prepared with materials, knowing what the lesson plan is for the day, and learning students' names will enable an instructor to provide a valuable learning experience. Confidence can go a long way especially if an instructor is not prepared. Students who whitness an instructor floundering will respond negatively and wonder if the instructor knows what they are doing. I do believe in building personal relationships with students, but not outside of the classroom and definitely not sharing too much personal information. An instructor can be empathetic and sympathetic and share some personal experiences from the field without crossing the line.
