Carrette,
Yes, good organization will help provide order in the classroom. Students seem to always want to push the envelope as to classroom and instructor expectations. Without a written plan along with a discussion, great difficulty can result. The personal discussion reinforces "these are MY rules", so students will be dealing directly with their instructor, and therefore more likely to comply.
Barry Westling
Good organization and preparation set the tone of the class. It sends a message that the instructor is on top of his/her game and they(the students) will fall in line with the principle and expectations of that particular classroom. Much of the disciplinary problems in a class may be alleviated if instructors are organized and prepared for class.
preparation is the most immediate way to visibly show that something is important to you. In this case, it's showing that education in general, your class, and the students are whats important. On another note, I've ran late before and not been able to prepare as much as I have wanted to. It creates a sense of being rushed and can really carry through for the whole day.
James,
Yes, we have a responsibility to our students, to give the most of our experience, knowledge, training, and education.
Barry Westling
You can't teach by "winging" it and students will pick up on it and learn very little if anything.
Erin,
I find it awful when I begin a class and feel I have prepared less than I wanted. Preparation takes discipline and time, but is reflected in the student outcomes.
Barry Westling
To keep the class engaged and flowing. Also sends a message to the student that you are excited about and interested in teaching them.
Melville,
Great. When students are given clear expectations in a clear, organized and comprehensive manner, the potential for fewer "mistakes of interpretation" is less likely to occur.
Barry Westling
It is important for an instructor to be organized and prepared to teach in order to learning to occur. Expectations need to be clear for the students, as well as modeled by the instructor. Organizing the class structure as well as materials gives the student an instant framework within which to operate and allows them to focus on the material, rather than administrative concerns or questions about procedures or class content. It also demonstrates that the instructor respects his or her position, as well as the student's time and learning progress.
Lastly, it creates a positive effect for the instructor by lessening stress and allowing for professional growth rather than simply struggling through a lesson.
Best wishes,
Melville Petrosky
Melville,
Well, even your question suggests you have the capability and insight to generate an organized thought of importance. Instructional effectiveness is a topic beyond the scope of this forum. However, I can share that I start with reviewing and trying to understanding the purpose of the topic. The course description is helpful for that. I also look at course objectives, since your students will also be looking at them for clues about the depth and nature of your discussion topics. Next, your course objectives should lead to a list natural daily objectives that a student studying this topic should master, or at least understand. That's the framework. Next are planning the delivery methods, resources to be used, activities that reinforce the learning, etc. Of course, there will be practice through reading and homework assignments, along planning for assessment of learning (quizzes, tests). This would be a good start, and I hope this has been helpful, and not too elementary.
Barry Westling
Instructor Westling,
Can you give some tips or resources to help with structure building? I love teaching, I love my content area, and my students; however, I have had a lifelong struggle with self-initiated structure. I love structure because it creates order and a calmness of mind with it, but have a hard time generating it from scratch. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Best wishes,
Melville Petrosky
Taiya,
Students sense when an instructor is less than fully prepared. And, as an educator, I know my game is not up to par when I've prepared less than needed. We're not being fair to our students when we give them less than they fully deserve.
Barry Westling
You cannot possibly teach effectively without preparation
I completely agree. I hate rushing around at the last minute and it is not what I want to convey to my class.
Eugene,
Good preparation will never be wasted time. Similar to what you've described, I write bullet point categories of topics/activities/events for the day off to the side on the white board. One advantage is this allows me to cover material in any order. But much like a meeting agenda, students know from the outset what's been covered and what yet needs to be discussed.
Barry Westling
The material is often very faced passed with regards to staying with the daily syllabus. All handouts or projects assignments need to be at the ready. Before each class make a personal outline of the discussion topics and maybe sketch out a rough timeline as well. Let them see that you are referencing a list of what you expect to cover when you begin class each day by giving them a brief description of the day's flow. As adults they will appreciate the time you took to project topics and that you have a plan of delivery other than relying on a portal to direct the events within the class. Let them know that you may from time to time offer added material to help them grasp a topic that has been a stumbling block noted by you in previous classes.
Frank,
Yep! As in most work settings, the employer expects readiness by their employees. Same situation for our classes.
Barry Westling
Frank,
When I'm teaching, added stress is not something I need. Smooth classes are a product of good preparation.
Barry Westling
I find it makes it easier and less stressful if you're prepared and ready at the start of class. This also gives you time to interact with the students.
I like to be set up for class with all hand outs prepared and ready for the class when they come in. I find this helps allow time to do meet and greet and set the example of being prepared, just as you would need to be in the work place.
