Irma Guillen

Different students learn different ways - its a proven fact that the more resources used in the classroom expecially supporting material, notes and the like - the more likely the student will retain the information. The only way to gague this is by assessing your own progress, using common sence to enhance my teaching effectiveness and my student's learning opportunities. 

This section of lesson plans covers the instructors ability to write concise objective plans that meet the cirriculm objectives by incorporating standards which are the vital for referencing the requiement, excellence, expertise, and/ro attainment of the course. Standards are basic specific statements that validate what the student should be able to accomplish after you have taught. 

Lesson plans are extremely important. However, what's even more important is that you follow your lesson plan as much as possible. Room for adjustments must be accomidated and in order to do this you must document your lesson plans. 

It's important to review, know and decide what needs to be taught to the class - thus the need for lesson planning is extremely important. Factors such as what classes have students already taken, how much content needs to be presented and reviewed - or what is important for the student to be day-one-ready. Allowing time for the "unknown" situations that may arise is also an important factor that must be considered and worked into an effective lesson plan. 

Keeping student grades current is vital not just for the student learning experience but also for the instrucgtor. Knowing exactly where students are at any given time is important with a three week cirriculumn. Staying on-top of students who are falling behind early in the mod is imporant so you can get them back on track. 

Keeping students engaged is key. Students get distracted easily and lose focus but getting them involved with hand-on activities to learn is vitial. 

Planning your daily classes is exremely important. Using a variety of methods to present informaiton is crucial and providing visuals as well as hand-on methods are a great way to help students retrain important information. In additon I traditionall follow-up with hand outs or cheat sheets that take the informaiton in the objectives and condence it into small brain-size material that can be easy to read and retain. 

Setting the "tone' for the student experice is key. Being prepared, organied, ready and prepared for class is vital. Being on time and setting the example for students is also key. Most of us lead by example and positive examples promote positive student outcomes. 

Intrinsic motivation is  key in the classroom. Student must realize that when when they are engaged in classroom behavior, assignments, because they find it rewarding is the goal. Student must realize they are performing an activity for their sake of learning to further their careers and better their lives rather than from the desire for some reward or trohpy. The behavior itself is itheir reward.

Reply to Rebecca Castelletti's post:Absolutely, students know when you are not prepared, especially when you can't answer the quesitons. In addition, working assignments with students in class builds an environment that is productive and challenging for the instructor and student alike.