I find that I'm ok during the first 15 minutes as there are many things to cover. It's the next 5 or 10 that get me nervous. Once I get past that, I seem to be fine. I tend to prepare extra hard for this timeframe. It is always well worth it.
I tend to re-evaluate my lectures. Did I not cover something properly, did i over cover something. Then I go back to my plan and i will update and i tweek everything for the next lecture. I pay attention to the students eyes and bodies, are they interested. Is the student involved? If not, then i need to prepare differently.
I feel my anxiety increasing when students tell me that they are not learning. I discovered by listening to the student and not taking it personally my anxiety decreased and I could help the student.
Prep work/research is certainly my best method for overcoming lecture anxiety. Also, I encourage everyone to remember that you're teaching what you know and love, that helps a lot too.
Hi Renee,
Preparation is key to reduce anxiety as well.
Patricia Scales
Prepping for an introduction and having classroom introductions to break the ice. Group activities are another way to reduce anxiety.
It is important to have enough material to cover. You can never have enough material and if you run out of time you can always use it at the next class. Talking to other instructors about their best teaching techniques will also help.
being prepared has worked for me...
Just trust in yourself and skills
Hi Lisa,
Wow, you prepare really well. I always do a run down the day before.
Patricia Scales
Hi Linda,
That's right! It is always best to have too much than to not have enough.
Patricia Scales
Hi Bradley,
Preparation is very important! If something becomes too challenging for you, get with one of the seasoned instructors.
Patricia Scales
Hi Clare,
I concur! I also like to compile a big notebook of hardcopies of all materials as well.
Patricia Scales
I make sure I go over my lseeon for the day fully the day before and 30 mins before class starts
Being prepared for class is a big one. If I know exactly what we will be discussing, I feel more at ease. Having all of my worksheets, homework and handouts made a week in advance gives me time to add more material if needed. That way if I go through the lecture faster I have things to do. This prevents the anxiety of what are we going to do now?
I like to go over the parts of the course that I may have trouble explaining. Then have a few different examples to get the information across.
One of the ways to reduce anxiety is to over prepare for the lesson. Teaching a subject for the first time, i find, it is better to have a variety of activities to engage the students. Some activities will work and some will not. By keeping notes on what worked well in class and what did not, I begin to build teaching skills library I can use in the future. This also helps to reduce anxiety when re-teaching subjects.
Hi ROBBYN,
Wow, no I have to thoroughly prepare so that I now am ready with a game plan.
Patricia Scales
Hi Melissa,
Preparation is key, and it sure will make you feel more at ease.
Patricia Scales
I am actually the complete opposite. I know what I'm teaching when I teach it and I have binders made for every class but I find that I can't think about class prep or I become very nervous. When I say this to different coworkers I often get funny looks, but it's true. If I think about all the things I need to do for a particular class I become overwelmed. However,if I have all my stuff pre arranged I just look at my schedule and I'm ready to go. Is there anyone else out there like me?
