Manage time for preparedness
It can be difficult to manage our time between full-time work, teaching, and home. I find that I work best if I take a few minutes to plan ahead. I get out a notebook and start considering what is ahead and what I need to do to be prepared for it. For instance, last week I decided I would show a film tonight in class. I first started with a Post-It note to remind me to rent the movie prior to class. Then I put in my calendar to call the school to make sure I had the equipement I need. In this case, I didn't use the notebook, because I often also use Post-Its and my calendar. I also often call my office phone to leave myself messages. I use what I can to plan and prepare and I don't simply leave it up to my memory and last-minute decisions.
Hi Laura:
Yes preparedness is a responsibilty we accept when we choose education as a cvareer.
Time, effort, thought, and planning are needed to insure classes will run the way we want and achieve the outcomes desired.
Regards, Barry
Linda, I feel overwhelmed too with teaching many courses and other job duties. Sometimes you've taught that course before and you just think it will come to you when you teach it again and aren't prepared like the first time you're teaching it. That can backfire since every class and student can be different. The students can pick up if you're not prepared and feel that they don't have to be either.
Hi Linda:
The colored paper thing, so many have liked reading about it's use. As teachers, we are the creative ones, and so are our students. Coming up with non-traditional methods to teach a lesson or discuss a topic, this is what learning fun and interesting. We are not giving up any control by asking students what their ideas about teaching a subject may include. In fact, if an idea was adopted, most students would appreciate it.
We all have the same amount of time, so it really is about managing ourselves, which in theory, we should the most control over, eh?
Regards, Barry
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with trying to prepare sometimes . I plan ahead and I do get everything copied ahead but I love the idea about colored paper and I'm going to use that it will help and I love creativity.
Hi Tracy:
Interesting strategy - leave yourself a phone message!
Busy people have to find some method af balancing all of the imporatnt details they juggle if they're involved with teaching. Preparation takes time - something we have to condition ourselves to using for maximum benefit. We want to be able to give students a first rate lesson, so that means being organized, creative and resourceful, efficient, and of course, knowledgeable.
When we can put these traits into play, the students will benefit from our actions.
Regards, Barry
