By being organized and prepared to teach, the class will run smoother. The students know you are expecting them to be ready to learn as your preparedness shows them you are ready to teach. Our class seems to go by extremely fast and if I am not prepared to teach, it wastes valuable class time and puts us behind on our daily schedule. I also believe the students learn by example. A student who may have been unprepared or unorganized at the start of the term can learn from the instructor to be both prepared and organized by the end of the term.
Cynthia,
Well, you describe both extremes very well. The benefits to an organized preparation for class are clearly exemplified here.
Barry Westling
Organization is they key! How can we expect our students to be organized and ready to work in class if we're not? I, unfortunately, experienced this as a new teacher. More times than I care to remember, I came in flustered, not completely prepared -- for some reason I guess I thought I could just "wing it" and it would be fine. Maybe you can do that in a work situation, but definitely not in the classroom. By the end of my second year, I had gotten everything down to a science. I came in with handouts of my powerpoint for my students so they could follow and take notes. I kept notes in front of me instead of relying on just the cues from the powerpoint screen and instead of searching for papers in my tote bag, I made sure that I took out ONE manilla folder that had my notes and their handouts (already stapled) to give out. Not only did it make everything run more smoothly, it also gave me a bit more confidence.
Lisa,
Yes, each class is dynamic. With thorough preparation we enable ourselves to be flexible, yet remain structured in order to "go with the flow" with the direction the class takes.
Barry Westling
It's really important to have a solid plan for each class that uses the entire class. It's also really important to know that you will deviate from that plan to a certain extent because the classroom is an organic thing.
Valerie,
You're right, my classes always go smoother and my confidence is enhanced when I have all my materials and preparation completed beforehand.
Barry Westling
It is important for instructors to be prepared for class because it sets an example of the expectations that we have for the students. We expect them to be organized and prepared for class to increase their likelihood of being successful in our class. Likewise, the instructor can expect success when they are organized and prepared.
Juan,
Professionalism is as much deed as it is anything else. We need to practice what we preach.
Barry Westling
Laura,
Right! And your students will be more relaxed and receptive to your instruction in this invironment.
Barry Westling
Ehtisham,
Sure, students want to know their instructor has it all together, and readiness for class is one way to assure that.
Barry Westling
It is important because the students look at you as the subject matter expert. You represent what the student is aspiring to be. Students become disillusioned if their instructors aren't prepared and professional in appearance.
Being organized and prepared helps me be more effective. I am more student focused when I have a plan to follow, all of my hand-outs ready and the agenda on the board. When I am prepared and have a plan to follow, I am also less anxious and more confident in my delivery of the content.
Organized and prepared to teach is a good idea to have a smooth transition on subject knowledge,helps water down the material moreeffectively and effort is worth.
John,
Very true. With preparation, planning can occur that will maximize the time and resources - something the students will also appreciate.
Barry Westling
Clayton,
Even at it's best, an unprepared instructor will soon learn (or feel) the disappointment that will likely result.
Barry Westling
Andrea,
I'm sure we all have expectations of a smoothly run class, yet we know intuitively (or by past experience) that will not happen automatically. The results of the absence of preparation soon reveals itself.
Barry Westling
It is important to be organized and prepared for each class because it helps the instructor and the student to stay on topic. It also, helps to be able to learn effectively in the time you are in class without being derailed with unnecessary information.
Patrick,
Yeah, I arrive early to open up, get materials ready, and gather all needed resources for the class. When students arrive, I can be there for questions, or just to chat.
Barry Westling
The instructor that is not prepared could be a expert on the subject matter but if handouts are not ready or the power point does not work, they could look like a fool to the students.
Preparedness and organization are a tenet of excellent teaching. An instructor must be organized in all areas of his/her teaching in part as a show of respect for students. Organization and preparation further help a course run smoothly.
