Great point, you never get a second chance for first observations.
Hi Gerry:
This is a great example of the need for being prepared and ready way before the student (or patient) arrives. In your case, it seems like the opportunity for role modelinig and demonstrating best practices would be ideal, and paramount to the student's training.
Trust, confidence, competence, professionalism all promote respect for the teacher, the students classmates, and future patients. Here, we have an great inroad to demonstrating role modeling and it's impact on good patient care.
Regards, Barry
I teach and manage a dental assisting program, and the one thing I want when I am at a dental appointment is that everybody is organized and set up ahead of time for my appointment.
If I was a student observing a disorganized teacher, I would be concerned of the knowledge and ability of the instructor. Respect goes slowly out the window.
Hi David:
Very true. Students are not likely to feel comfortable asking their instructor a question before class if they observe s/he running around, making last minute copies, shuffling papers, etc. That's chaos and I don't think many thrive in that kind of environment.
We owe our students the benefit our full attention, and for class, fully prepared and ready to go on time, but if we're just on time, we're probably late in a preparation sense.
Regards, Barry
Much can be said of this not so simple question but I will use time as my theme.Organized and prepared creates the time to be an observer of your students as individuals and there needs . Unprepared focuses on the I and is unprofessional and selfish.
Hi Curt:
Couldn't agree more. Of course, the challenge we all have is finding the time to do these great things on a consistent and sustainable basis.
But it's like a feeding to the teacher when the students become interested in the topics we've prepared and show interest and attention. That'll keep me going for hours if I know a student truly wants to learn.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cornelius:
I agree students appreciate and actually want an learning environment that is organized and the teacher prepared to teach comprehensively. They may not like getting assignments, but if that's needed to teach the class appropriately, then the time and effort to prepare has to alloted for by the teacher.
It's so nice when the class flows seamlessly from topic to topic, resources ready, teacher merging student questions into the discussion as if it were part of the plan. That calm, relaxed, "together" class will benefit student learning tremendously.
Regards, Barry
It is important for an instructor to be organized and prepared for each class in order to present the material in the best possible manner. By being organized, the students will recognize a systematic flow and approach to the training. By being prepared for each class, the instructor will be looked upon by the students as having a genuine interest in their learning as well as demonstrating respect for all students in the class.
Student view instructors as role models. It is important for instructors to be organizes so that students can easily follow instructions without ambiguity. Students are able to learn better in a structured, organized environment. Also, transitioning from one discussion (subject) to the next is much easier when the teaching format is organized and easy to follow.
Regards,
Prof. Cash
Hi Virginia:
You're right, preparation is very important. For instructors, that means time and effort preceding the class has to be allocated to make this happens. It's rare that a good teacher can just stroll into a class and "wing it".
When a well prepared teacher is present, as students arrive, the teacher is available to answer questions, initiate dialog, create and strengthen relationships by visiting. Student's won't have to feel like they're bother or interrupting the hurried teacher scambling to get stuff together for the class.
Regards, Barry
First impressions re lasting. If the students see that you are late, out of breath and material is not prepared then they have the feeling that you don't care because you did not take the time to prepare.
No one likes a teacher who is late, and not prepared for the class. It gives the impressiong that the tacher dosn't care
Hi Robin:
No doubt, preparation is required in order to be the better instructor we all aspire to be. And it takes time and effort, valued commodities these days, but it can't be ignored.
Planning ahead, relying on resources available to you, using peers for assistance where applicable, and even having students assist with some of your clerical kind of work like making copies, sorting and collalating, stuff like that. Of course, not on the day you need it, but for a future class. The old adage, "work smarter, not harder" seems to be applicable here.
Being prepared makes for a more relaxed classrom experience for all, and when the teacher is able to smoothly transition from topic to topic, resources prepared and ready, media and teaching aids available at the time they're needed - this conveys preparation preceded the class.
Also, when we're prepared, we are more available to our students without them feeling like they're bothering us or interrupting. This conveys both confidence by the instructor, and demonstrates competence to the students, who will respect and pay attention when the know their teacher is in control through preparation.
Regards, Barry
First of all, instructors/teachers are professionals. In any corporate environment, organization is key. Expectations of other professionals should be the same.
Having the information right at hand not only helps the teacher - it helps the students. Students realize that they are valued, learn that respect is expected in a professional environment, and gather that you as a teacher will request fairly that they do the same. If a teacher is not prepared, why should the student be prepared for class? It is a two-way street.
As a teacher, I have found that preparation helps my lectures and exercises. When I teach the same course for the second time, I have the former class experience to glean wisdom from. What worked? What didn't? How can I change to be more effective.
When I have organized class outlines, Powerpoint presentations, worksheets, group discussions, I have felt more at ease when I walked into the classroom, more adept at my role. When I haven't prepared enough, my students and I know. It's too hard to hide when you are slacking off as a teacher. Being prepared is good because you never know what will happen in the classroom from day to day.
Hi Linda:
I think teachers know when they've prepared to a sufficient amount, and when they are less than fully prepared. And students notice too. It takes time and effort to plan, but is necessary if we want smooth running, relaxed, interesting and enjoyable classes. The alternative is awful and is not pleasnat for anyone.
Regards, Barry
Hi Monique:
Yes, it does take a committed instructor to take the needed time and effort to prepare - and it shows when that's present, and when it's not. Students notice. Prepared students provide a more relaxed environment, and I think that helps keep students calm and with less angst as well.
Regards, Barry
I think that by being organized you are showing a commitment to your students that you are excited about what you are teaching them. It also reflects your professionalism and displays an example of what they can strive for.
Hi Kirk:
Sure, like a trip that's planned well, vs. just head out and see what happens, eh?
Keeping students informed about the daily lesson, materials they'll need, what you hope to accomplish, are important techniques.
Another is periodically letting students know "where we're at in the lesson". It would seem if they're paying attent, they'd know. But I find students like hearing a brief catch up on here's where we've bee, here's where we're at, and here's where we still need to head for.
Regards, Basrry
To let your students know that you are ready to teach them and you have taken the time to be prepared. If not prepared then they feel they don't have to be prepared either.
being organized gives direction to the course. Have direction and an end goal will allow the student to stay connected (knowing what is comming next).
