Be prepared and organized
I believe you should not waste the students’ time. This is why I try to ensure everything is set up and ready to go 30 minutes prior to the class start time. This gives me the time to review the lesson plan, power point slides, handouts, and ensure the all the materials are in place for practical exercises. The students stay motivated when they see you are organized and prepared to teach.
Hi Brenda:
Absolutely! In fact, think of what this would suggest to you if you were the student - something like "boy! This instructor sure does want me to learn here"!
Regards, Barry
Hi Marlene:
Studies indicate that an instructor can lose credibility if not adequately prepared.
One suggestion might be to have one or two back up activities that can be incorporated into the lesson plan for the day.
Regards, Barry
Hi Barry:
I strongly agree that we should always be prepared at least 20min before students enter the class, our objectives must be in plain sight on the board, handouts should be placed on each desk,so when the students enter the class they know we are ready to begin our lesson.
I agree. Being prepared is important because it saves time and kepps ypu organized.
Hi Kim:
Our preaparation is what we're paid to do. No one is (or should be) allowed to walk in and "wing it" for a class session. Time and effort, thought and planning are required for even mediocre delivery, and as you point out, we should be more prepared than our students. They deserve the best we can give them.
Regards, Barry
Being prepared is expected of our students. We expect them to be prepared for class by reviewing to day's work, bring all their required materials and equipment as well as be in uniform. It is only fair to pay them the same respect by being prepared ourselves. If anything, we should be more prepared than our students as we are trying to set an example.
Hi Roberta:
Adding to that, if students hae questions, you want them to feel like they're not bothering you by interrupting getting the class organized.
Regards, Barry
Hi Frank:
Yeah, it's like when we're prepared, we are just a little more confident in our abilities, and this appears as competence to the students. Both work to provide a organized class, relaxed and calm teacher, informed students will to ask questions if they have them - this is a snapshot of a great learning environment.
Regards, Barry
I agree Christopher that getting in early and setting out material shows the students that you are committed to the best use of time for the class and it helps you gain the confidence and trust of the student to set an organized and efficient model
I agree completely. In teaching mathematics, I also make sure I show problems out on the board written out very clear, large and neat, showing each step in the process. Also, when students are doing work/homework in class, I can tell at a glance if they are comprehending the material as I have memorized the answer key(s) and can anticipate the likely pitfalls and places where ther is a tendency to make a mistake,
Hi David:
I think when we're prepared, we can take on all that we have planned, plus that which is not planned. And good teachers can make interruptions, equipment disorders, or more student questions than expected seem like is was part of the daily lesson - seamlessly integrating all questions and merging responses back to topic.
Regards, Barry
I agree too; it just makes the students feel as if they are in a professional setting when you are prepared. Plus, allowing yourself that extra time means you can work with any last minute issues that have crept up - such as the computer network being down, etc.
Hi Christopher:
I agree that when students arrive, tey ought to see the teacher, ready and prepared, materials and resources available. In the event there may be questions, the student may feel a bit more welcomed in asking a question if they sense the teacher has time to answer it, rather than interupting them.
Regards, Barry
