Hi Sharon:
I agree it's possible to lead by example as long as the "leader" is organized and knowledgeable.
I know several contemporaries who could, on a moments notice, report to a classroom and speak for 2-3 hours on a topic related to my profession - and would dazzle the students with the information they presented. Nada on preparation (except maybe the years, education, and experience that preceded the speech)with well organized thoughts, sequential points, amazing vocabulary, and be ready to do it again an hour later.
Exceptional? Perhaps. I certainly don't want to convey or advocate that's the way to do it. I'm just saying our preparation, whether good or bad, will be evident. And I think you are syaing that too.
Regards, Barry
Hi Chanel:
True, we lead by example. We give assignments and activities, and expect our students to be prepared - then we grade them. I wonder if students should grade teachers every class day? For instance, what if every day we were graded on the following characteristics?
• Organized, prepared, approachable
• Enthusiastic, courteous, respectful
• Prepared, organized, ready for class
• Created excitement and desire to learn
• Able to answer all student questions
• Made me feel good about learning the material
• Today's lesson was meaningful and helpful
• I feel I am more prepared for my eventual job
• My instructor cares about my learning and successfulness
Boy, I bet there'd be a lot of changes made if somehow every student completed a survey like this every day and the results were sent to our boss.
Regards, Barry
Leading by example is key in a successful class. It also helps students gain that rapport.
Hi Bobbi:
You're right, just like instructional lessons, we give information about how serious we are when we arrive prepared or unprepared.
Regards, Barry
An instructor leads by example. If a student observes that you don't take organization as important, they will not either. It also will allow the teacher to have a much easier day because everything is in order and there will not be time wasted on figuring out where necessary tools or materials are.
It is extremely important for an instructor to be well organized and prepared for each class. It is the first signal to students as to how the class will be run. Students will be less likely to respect the teacher and the information that is being shared if both are unorganized.
Bobbi Bricker
Hi Mike:
You've conveyed a good perspective about asking questions. A well planned class should induce questions because, if we are prepared and ready with the needed course content, student learning will naturally lead to "what about..." or "does that mean then that...", etc. It shows they're listening, paying attention, and focused on the lesson.
Regards, Barry
Being organized shows the students you are ready for their instructional day. Students develop confidence in their instructor and instructional materials when they see that instructors are prepared. Good preparation leads the students to ask better questions that are focused on the materials being taught.
Hi Timothy:
Being prepared does take some thought, planning and effort, but I don't think it is such an overwhelming task. One just has to be regualr and consistent with organizing materials and resources, and be a good planner, which always saves a lot of time.
Your desire to improve wilkl bring all these elements together over time. Hang in there, and don't lose that enthusiam!
Regards, Barry
Going through this online course, I realize i've been breaking one of the cardinal rules of teaching. Im new to the profession and have been teaching a heating and A/C course for about six months. I spend so much time preparing and researching for class, trying to gather as much information as possible. I also try to anticipate any questions the student might ask. I usually do this right up until its time to teach and I bring in all the resources and material and its usually hard for me to find all the handouts and labs I need. I realize ive probably been giving the impression of being unprepared-and I guess i was. Im going to plan enough time before each class to get organized with what im teaching that day.
Hi Ginger:
I believe we are hired for our expertise, knowledge, education and experience. We are expected to provide our best for our students and our employer, and that includes being ready to deliver our lessons with accuracy, authority as someone who knows the material, and prepared to answer any questions that might come up. Students will notice our readiness and appreciate tha effort that goes into getting ready for class.
Regards, Barry
Hi John:
We can be positive role models in little doses every day so that by the time the course is completed, the sttudents have been exposed to many days of what professionaloism and preparedness can do for success in later classes or in the workforce as graduates. Unprepared can lose the respect of students and may suggest the students success is not the instructor's main focus.
Regards, Barry
It is not only your job, being organized shows a level of professionalism and it demonstrates to the students that one cares about the subject matter and them.
Mise en place is very important in life in general. Having everything you need and your mind centered not only shows the student that you are ready to teach them, but that you truly care about the content and the students getting the most out of the class. It shows respect for your students, as well as the material. It gives you time for incidentals, as they arise, instead of the appearance of hurrying to be ready and prepared for the class at hand.
Perception is a very strong thing. If students perceive you to be ready for class, you are setting an example that they should also be ready.
Hi Timothy:
I agree credibility can be at risk when teachers arrive or appear unprepared. No one wants that. Students should trust that their teacher knows their stuff and is always ready to deliver. Even if it takes more or less time, or when things go or don't go as planned. When we're prepared, we can "take the ball and run with it".
Regards, Barry
Hi Susan:
I think we all learn from seeing the good and successful deeds our peers and teachers present to us as the right and professional way to act and behave. So, in steps, a little each day, we have the opportunity to refine and shape our students into models for others to learn from.
Regards, Barry
Students can see through an unprepared teacher like a window -- a big, empty window, and all the curtains in the world won't change it. A prepared teacher suggests:
-engagement
-concern/responsibility and
-capability
The latter is most important. A teacher who cannot exude an air of ethos will never, ever be taken seriously by students.
I think it is importnt because the students will have more respect for you if they percieve you as someone who is organized and together. You need to present yourself as a role model for the srudents and you cannot expect from them what they do not get from you.
Hi Luis:
Yes, and I believe students can tell when an instructor is unprepared. They may feel dissapointed, disengaged, or disgruntled having a teacher essentially waste some or all of their instructional time.
Regards, Barry
Hi Roy:
A prepared teacher will be the best tool a student can ever have. Conversely, the opposite is just as true.
Regards, Barry
