Get Your Students Hired
Being organized and prepared to teach your class is crucial in giving yourself confidence that you are giving your students the best opportunity to learn and achieve there goals. It also reflects on who you are as a person as well as the university's or college's image itself. Not only are you presenting yourself but you are also presenting the university or college you are employed by. Being prepared and organized also allows you to better manage and teach your students to your fullest potential. Making these important will give you the ability to grow and learn as an instructor as well. Making each class you teach better than the last.
No matter how many years I have taught a course, it still makes a big difference as to whether I show up with a organized plan for a class, or if I "wing it". It also helps to prioritize lessons to adjust for time spent. Some lessons take longer or shorter, depending on the students' reception and experience in that particular class.
It is important for an instructor to be organized and prepared for class because it shows the students that: #1 you know the subject, #2 you respect the students time and #3 shows that you enjoy what you are doing.
Students look up to you when you have your bases covered. You want to have their trust first and foremost. Being organized and prepared shows your confidence level and that you believe in what you are teaching.
IDA-MAY,
Yes, organized instruction accompanied with smooth transitions from topic to topic adds to learning, and can only occur with adequate preparation.
Barry Westling
being organized to teach really relieves stress in many situations.Being prepared means there is one less problem you have to worry about. when the lesson starts having the material in order gives a flow to your teaching. organization makes it easier if there is an interruption or question in the class.
Benny,
A good example regarding answering questions is the opportunity to say something like, "great question, and that's covered on page xx in the text and we'll be getting to that in today's lesson shortly".
Barry Westling
Geary,
This is a good post, and also demonstrates the benefit of of good back up plans.
Barry Westling
Students tend to judge a person by how well the instructor is organized and prepared to do the job. being prepared can show the students what a professional should be like in their chosen profession and provides an example to follow. Instructors need to be always aware of being judged not only in their presentations but also their actions outside of class. Unexpected situations do occur (copy machine broken) that require flexibility in what is to be done in the classroom. The instructor should not make an issue of the situation but state that plans have changed and then go with the new plan of actions. A projection of confidence and being in charge make students feel they are being educated by people who have their life together and can handle any issue brought to them.
We need to practice what we preach. How can we expect our students to be prepared for class if we are selves are not.
being organized is key to being respected as a knowledgeable educator.Being prepared can help you anticipate any questions. it makes you look professional and a beacon of information.
I find alterations of a class from the lesson plan is easier and more fluid with proper orgnization and planning. In my class I find there are times I must verge from the plan to get a certain point understood because of class feed-back. I have found being prepared and organized helps get back on track without losing the overall lesson being taught.
Judd,
What we do and say, we expect students to follow. Same should be true with hurried, chaotic instructional practices too.
Barry Westling
To set a good example, and to earn respect of the students. If they see you running into class with papers falling out of you hand it sets a bad example about time management.
Dave,
Students respect and appreciate instructors who appear prepared, organized and ready for class. Tying subjects together smoothly with seamless transitions from one topic to another creates an interesting and professional class setting.
Barry Westling
Linda,
Students like and appreciate a well organized and prepared instructor. The seamless transition from point to point does create a positive flow, and certainly, a more interesting instructional session.
Barry Westling
Great question! The obvious and mentioned in your course is how I’m perceived and helps me gain respect from my students but I also strongly believe that it relaxes me coming to class early and having my papers and plans in an organized and prepared manner. My focus should be on my objectives and not what I’m forgetting. I’m an adjunct who retired from my full-time job a year ago. It’s much more pleasurable coming in to teach a class relaxed and ready to go.
I feel first by being prepared with your class lecture you know how long the lecture will be what prompts you can bring in to illustrate with your lecture along with passing instruments around the class to keep them engaged.
Andrea,
Absolutely. Instruction will run smoother and students will notice the confidence exhibited by their instructor. Students want and expect direction and clear expectations from their instructor, and that's not likely to occur without adequate preparation.
Barry Westling
There are so many reasons! As an instructor it makes our life easier if we are prepared, have all materials ready and in order, and can focus on the teaching and learning rather than finding things at the last minute, or wasting everyone's time running out to the copier. For the student it provides modeling in terms of what it means to be a professional, including respect for their learning time. Finally, from experience, it is embarassing when I don't have the things I need for the class to run as I expected and can result in a very flustered instructor!