I was really worried about teaching my class until I realized that the instructor only has so much control over the student. Education on the whole is what the student makes it. All I can do is come in with the energy and drive that I have for the field and present that to the students. Pass on the knowledge I have and watch them get as excited for it. If they don't I have to try to motivate them. At the end of the day however, the student has to want to learn.
I get nervous everytime I meet a new group of students. I am not sure why. I guess it is because I don't know any of them. I overcome my nervousness by being prepare and having a list of the things that I need to cover during my class time. This usually helps in keeping me on schedule.
My best way to reduce anxiety is to prepare, prepare, prepare. If you really know the topic you can anticipate the possible questions.
Reduce instructor anxiety to always review your class subjects and relax before class starts.
Hi Amber,
You have it! No one knows it all. I have been teaching for 25 years, and I still am learning. I will do just as you have stated when not knowing. Just remember, you know more than your students though.
Patricia Scales
Being prepared of course
I encourage all students to keep a 3-ring binder for my class--there are many hand-outs
I need to keep a 3-ring binder also to help myself be as organized as I need to be.
Malcolm
I believe that knowing the course material is very important. Preparation can definitely help to resolve some anxiety. It is also important to remember that you will never have all the answers and that you can make finding the answer a class activity. I also keep in mind that the students are also just as nervous as I am-they may not have had me as an instructor before so they do not know what to expect. Also, they may not know a lot about the content that the course will cover and are concerned if they will be able to comprehend it. So it helps to keep in mind that there is anxiety and unknowns for both parties. It is also important to take notes about things to try differently for next time. Student feedback is important and can help to make your delivery more effective.
I agree that it is very important to be familiar with the material you are teaching. When I began teaching one of my concerns was not having an answer for a student. I quickly realized that it is ok to not know everything. I would either find out the answer and get back to the student or make it interesting and have the class brainstorm about the question and then look it up as a class.
Hi, Everyone,
When I first started teaching, I did exactly what it says to do in this lesson--I wrote out everything I was going to say (and more, just in case). It is true that it goes faster in the class than when you are practicing at home. I used to go through my lecture at least once, and usually twice, then I would go over things as I was driving to school. It really help you to be prepared with everything.
Janet
Making sure you are prepared. If presenting new material practice as much as you can. I have noticed that being unprepared can quickly cause the class to become uninterested, and disrupt learning. It is not always the instructors fault, but being as prepared as you can and coming up with a plan even if it's minutes before class to deliver the material.
Hi Holly,
I understand! I felt the same way when I first started 25 years ago. With time you will become faster. Remember, the first time you do anything whether it is teaching a chapter, creating an exam, etc. it is going to take you longer because of the unknown. Time will be on your side soon. Hang in there and talk to your DOE about a mentor.
Patricia Scales
To be prepared. Have a checklist if needed. Be sure to have a course schedule so that you can stay on task.
being over prepared so you give yourself a good "window" of error or change. Telling yourself to relax as you start class and you will settle into your "groove" and become excited and confident
I agree with extra prep time helping with my confidence about the material being presented, but I am in an accelerated environment so I feel like I spend so much time preparing it leaves me with time management issues. Being a new instructor I am slow at everything I do whether it's grading an assignment thoroughly preparing, revising exams etc. I feel it takes me double the time as if I was experienced and therefore I am more anxious because of my time constraints.
I find the best way to reduce anxiety for myself is to be prepared and practiced for each class. The way I do that is having all my material printed out, lectures rehearsed, examples researched with supportive references, and at least one alternative learning method as a back-up to what is planned.
There will always be instructor anxiety. One cannot eliminate it therefore it is adviseale to manage one's anxiety and 'turn it around' by re-focusing it toward learning priorities.
I have learned that be prepared and organized provides confidence and reduces nerves before class.
Be as prepared as possible and rehearse.
Being prepared for class with good class notes...
One of the biggest ways is to be prepared. You do not want to be stumbling all over yourself trying to get things rolling as the students will eat you alive. They are there for value and they need to know they are going to get it. Being orginized and prepared gives you a leg up. The other thing I feel is critical is to have fun! Let the students know you are a human being and not a robot. If you make a mistake, rectify it, have fun with it, and the students will respect you. They are as nervous as you about a new course so do everything you can to put the class at ease and make them want to learn.
