Hi Timothy,
You are so right! Preparation is key!! Having a backup plan is very smart. I am sure you impressed whomover you interviewed with, with your backup plans. The military train us well!
Patricia Scales
Preparation, preparation and preparation. In the army we are taught to be prepared for anything. Not only should we be prepared for the subject matter but have backup plans in case things go wrong. We are also taught to make sure everything works. Show up early to test your AV support, make sure the computer takes your power point presentation and make sure other logistical issues are taken care of, i.e. seating, heating etc. I am a firm believer in Murphy and I plan apporpriately. An good example is when I came in for part two of my job interview which consisted of a 5 min presentation. As we were preparing the computer it was discovered that it would not recognize my presentation or my thumb drive. Knowing that problems could arise, I requested that I pull up my email. I had emailed a copy to me just in case. When that failed I made the presentation off memory and the handouts that I made. In essence I had plan A, B & C, all of which reduced my anxiety.
Hi Shanel,
Preparation is key! It is always best to have too much information than to not have enough.
Patricia Scales
You have to be prepared for the class. The more prepared you are the more relaxed you are to become. Having an abudance of material is also important. As the Harvard video explained, you don't know which direction the discussion will go the first time you teach it. So, you should always be overprepared to help you. I also like ice breakers for the first day. This helps you get to know your students because most likely, they are nervous too.
There are several ways to reduce pre-class anxiety. Most importantly, to be prepared. I make sure that I have a clear direction of where I will be taking the lesson. Making sure that I am comfortable with the content is important. Having an outline of the lesson is helpful, too. Lastly, arriving early to class. This gives me time to chat with some students and calms the nerves.
Being totaly prepared takes all anxiey away for me.
I agree. If I feel "over-prepared" for a class lecture then my anxiety levels tend to decrease! I usually re-do any powerpoint presentations that were pre-made and make them my own so I can speak easier using them. I also clarify any muddy points and do my own research before I teach the material!
Hi Alejandro,
Preparation is key! Students need to know that they are learning from an extremely knowledgeable instructor.
Patricia Scales
The best way for me is to be prepared to my class by studing my material and prepare my answers to possible questions
Hi Anton,
Great response! Find your own teaching style and perfect it! Preparation is key! I typically prepare a week at a time! I have been teaching for more than 22 years and this practice works beautifully for me. I make it a point to reach all three types of learners when I teach.
Patricia Scales
Hi Robert,
Preparation is key! It sounds like you are on the ball and is always ready! Continue to strive for higher heights.
Patricia Scales
Hi Lisandra,
Preparation is key! I can tell you work hard to prepare for your classes. Keep up the good work, it only makes you better so that your students are better.
Patricia Scales
One of the best pieces of advice on this matter I ever received was prior to my first teaching experience. I accepted the position on a Wednesday and was to teach the class starting the following Monday. The department chair knew me as a former student, and was aware of two facts in the situation: one that I liked to be prepared and two that I had very little time to be prepared! His advice was to not try to prepare for the full semester just yet. I was confused, but understood after the first class. I had prepared the way I would prepare as a student - knowing the material as if for a test, but had not spent much time thinking of a VARIETY of ways to explain it to students with different learning styles than my own. This was a valuable lesson in how actually being in front of the class as an instructor can be totally different in reality than in theory for a new instructor, and you really do have to adjust to find your own effective teaching style.
be extra prepared! Get to the classroom at least 10 minutes early, and check your materials. This also gives you an opportunity to meet your students as they come in the door and start conversation and kind of break the ice while the students are still getting settled.
If I had taught the class before, I would look over my notes of waht worked and what did not for that coarse. I make sure that my demo's are well prepared, and go at it with a possitive attitude.
Telling a joke the first night relaxes everyone
If you have a fun activity that relates to the topic it is good idea to break the ice.
For me the main & most important thing is being prepared. If I'm prepared, I'm confident, If I'm confident I show my students that I can indeed be an asset to their future. This reduces any pre-class nerves and anxiety. If I have to sit and study the material for a week I'll do so is a matter of knowing what you're about to present and not been cought off guard, yes their might be the occasion that you might not have the answer but at least you know you prepared yourself.
Hi Cynthia,
Students love to hear about stories that are applicable to the lesson/subject matter. Story telling is a great way to break the monotony
Patricia Scales
I like to have an, in the field story to share with my students. They seem to enjoy them and it brakes the ice for both the class and myself.
