Backing up your material is a wonderful strategy. I also encourage my students to utilize the same strategy with their classwork and assignments.
Hi Claudia,
Preparation is key! As instructors we have to do what we can to reach our students, try new tricks.
Patricia Scales
Hi Rebecca,
When you make a mistake and learn from it, this can be the best form of teaching. You are right, own up to your mistkes and move on.
Patricia Scales
One should respect their students enough to be well prepared and flexible which means that if one method is not working, you are able to try another one.
I too have learned the hard way, and have backups on memory sticks and these have come in handy. Also, when I have made a mistake, the fastest way to earn the respect of the students is to take ownership of the error and correct it. Making notes of the mistake and how it was resolved greatly aids in the likelihood of history not repeating itself.
I agree with planning; the 4 ps work well: plan, prepare, practice, present. If you are prepared and you fall off track, it is easier to get back - no harm done.
One of the best ways to avoid common instructor mistakes is to be well-prepared. I find that when I have a detailed lesson plan, reviewed the answers to all the assignments, and have prepared all lesson materials, I am more at ease in the classroom and less likely to fumble or make mistakes. Another way to avoid common mistakes is to chat with your colleagues and share your mistakes and how you overcame them. Colleagues are great resources and support--especially for a first-time instructor.
It has only taken me one time to leave my lesson plan, powerpoint, or activity at home and come to class without these resources. Accordingly, I have multiple backup plans including copies on a memory stick, emailing resources to my school account, and a backup copy on my school hard drive.
