Hi David,
Preparation is definitely key! Students can quickly determine if you are prepared or not.
Patricia
Right if you make a list of what you want to make sure to cover or discuss then you won't forget something.
Good point about getting to class early. For example if you get to class late and the classroom equipment isn't working properly, instructors can become flustered, which could continue into the lecture and activities potentially throwing off the entire class.
Be as organized as possible. This doesn't mean you need to exactly follow your plan, because you need to allow for some leeway. (For example, sometimes the discussion ends up going longer than you thought, but that is okay, if the students were really interested in it.)
preparation preparation preparation preparation....
The nuts and bolts become second nature so that you can focus on the variables that can lead to simple mistakes
Be well prepared. Have a plan that you have created and use it as guideline, knowing that throughout the class the plan might change. It will provide mental security and reduce anxiety and disorganization.
Hi Marianna,
Notes are something good to refer to in order to prevent from making the same mistakes. At least you are making an effort to be the best in your profession.
Patricia
Hi Robert,
You're right! Use each mistake as a lesson learned. Sometimes we do have to learn through trial and error.
Patricia
Hi Simon,
I like your response and your whole outlook as to how to avoid common instructor mistakes. Let's not forget to add to be organized.
Patricia
Hi Marianna,
I understood. I was only sharing information. Actually, I concur with you.
Patricia
Patricia, you may have misunderstood me, as my point was that it is not my priority for students to like or dislike me, but to make sure they learn what they need to learn, and that I am not only an expert on the subject matter, but also an expert at instructional delivery, and I can do that by being always prepared.
Hi Marianna,
It is nice to have students to like you, but your first priority is to be their instructor. We are not in it for a popularity contest.
Patricia
Hi Tom,
What a good practice to follow to make you a very effective teacher.
Patricia
I've been taking notes and trying to keep things in mind the next time I would teach a similar class.
I normally write down each mistake and hi-lite it so when I get back to the material I can recognize the mistake I made previously and concentrate on it more often!
By preparing for class and knowing what to teach and how to do it. Otherwise, when you're unsure of what you do, you can get nervous and make mistakes. One of the common instructor mistakes is that they want all students to like them, however, if the instructor knows what he/she is doing and knows the subject matter and how to teach it, they won't be concerned about likes/dislikes as much.
Your students are adults; treat them like adults.
Be authoritative without being dictatorial.
You are not their friend, but you are an individual.
Be well-prepared, but no so rigidly that your lecture has no flexbility.
First of all, one must learn "what" those mistakes are. I would suppose that an instructor might learn what those mistakes are by taking tutorials, webinars, dialogue with other instructors.
Once you know what those mistakes are, you can avoid making those mistakes within your classroom. I have always contended that it is better to learn from other mistakes. It is more economical that way!
Of course, one will make their own share of mistakes when starting the teaching profession, and the sign of tru intelligent maturity is to learn from those mistakes and not repeat them.
Hi Danielle,
You are correct! Once students determine that you have no cofidence in your skills and abilities, you have lost all credibility and respect. The complaints are on from this point forward. Personnel has to become deeply involved.
Patricia
Hi Laudina,
Preparation is key is also along with other things.
Patricia
