Hi Kimberly:
Arriving early and having your materials ready is good because it shows the students you are prepared. Of course, being prepared with appropriate course content is also required. I like to put a summary of the class (bullet-point outline) of how I expect the order of topics will be. This helps students understand approximately how the class will be conducted.
Regards, Barry
It demonstrates that the class is also as important to the instructor to take the time to think through lesson plans and prepare for the students. It shows that the instructor also considers the education requirements of the students to be important. Organization also provides focus for the students and eliminates distraction.
Being organized and prepared for each class ensures that the studets are getting the most "bang for their buck". If your organized and well prepared your not wasting your students time when you looking for papers and materials that need to be covered in class. Having all the materials preped and ready to go before class makes your class operate smoothly and efficiently. If your students see that you are well organized they will feed off of you by handing in assigments on time,and being prepared for class by bringing in the items they need everyday. A well organized instructor will not only cover that days lesson but give the students clues as to what they should expect in the up coming days.
By being prepared, I have all my hand-outs, exams ect printed out the day before class. I come in early and tidy up the classroom.
By being prepared, I have all my hand-outs, exams ect printed out the day before class. I come in early and tidy up the classroom.
Hi Kimberly:
You know, I once had a boss ask me why I waiting until the last minute to make copies? (it was 8:30 am and the class met at 1:00 pm). They expected everything ready at least 1-2 days before a scheduled class, a week before would be even better. I felt like that was a bit excessive and unrealistic but that was their expectation. I'll tell you, after working under that environment, I got used to getting my classes ready way ahead of time. Because of that experience, my time is more even and less stressful because I still try to stay ahead. And it allows me to be in the classroom available to assist students, or if they don't have questions, I'll make the time to just visit and build on the relationship. So that strong discipline worked out well for me.
Regards, Barry
I arrive at school an hour before my classes start. This allows me to get all my photocopies and etc done before class starts. This way class starts on time and runs smoothly.
Hi Edward:
Students do expect their teachers to be subject matter experts. The best way to assist students learn the needed information is being there for them to facilitate learning and provide answers when they need help. When the lessons are preplanned, resources set-up, materials ready, these actions convey to the student the teacher is ready and prepared for the class. However it's done, we want to convey to students we are there for them, to contribute to making their learning a successful experience.
Regards, Barry
Its important to be prepared for class to show the students you really know what ur talking about.If your unorganized the students pick up on that abd it makes for an uneasy feeling in the class
Hi Andrew:
Yes, organized usually is accompanied by methodical, planned, structured, balanced, and well timed lessons. This is rarely the outcome if a teacher has not prepared. And as you say, the students will n otice, and possibly some respect for the teacher will be lost.
Regards, Barry
It is important to be well organized in order to set the correct tone for the class. Organization and standardization of the course material and personal notes, can only enhance the quality of instruction you offer to your students. Students can sense when an instructor is not prepared and delivering a mixed message.
Hi Kate:
You've really summarized the tenets of courtesy and professionalism. We can lead by example. In doing so, we earn respect and probably more effort by the student to consistently try their best in modeling our practices. We can also speak about such things, but if they're not practiced, the students will notice, which could result in a lower opinion of the teacher by the students. That's unfortunate, but I think it happens and is one of many reasons to strive to be prepared and ready for all our classes.
Regrads, Barry
It tells students that you 'walk the talk" if you ask a student to be on time for class, be prepared and you don't do the same in return ... it gives the student permission to do so as well.
When the instructor is on time and organized, it sends a clear message to the student that the class is important to the instructor. The instructor values and respects the student by being organized. This also applies to returning student grades, emails, and phone calls within a timely manner to students.
Hi Carol:
Students do appreciate the preparation that goes into the classes their taking and although they may not voice anything, they notice (and talk among their classmates). We are paid to be prepared and, as you say, students may do better depending on the level of instruction and preparation. So we have an important responsibity and obligation to our students and employer to be ready and organized for our classes.
Regards, Barry
It is important that an Instructor be prepared to teach so the students know that the instructor knows the subject she is teaching and most importantly organized. This not only shows respect for the students, but it sets a good example for the students to follow.
I think students appreciate a prepared instructor, and that it may enable them to learn better.
Carol Kravitz
Hi Kathleen:
Do you think we are harder on ourselves that others view us? We probably are. We can minimize some of that by relying on past experiences as you did. We can also realize that by being prepared we can offset the chance that things will go poorly more often when we've taken the time to get ready for our classes.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cheney:
I think we all can remember similiar times when we first started out. When we prepare ouselvelves as teachers we are setting an example for our students to follow, at the minimum. They are perceptive and will be able to detect when we are less than fully prepared. Credibility as a teacher will come into question if we are consistently unprepared, and that can lead to suboptimal student performance.
Regards, Barry
I agree. My first day of instruction with my new school, wasn't what I would have liked it to have been. I thought I was prepared, but quickly found that I was missing pages from my syllabus. I know the students thought I was a flake that first day. Fortunately, they did give me another chance and I think I redeemed myself that afternoon. I now have everything well prepared for the next new class tomorrow, so I hope to give a professional appearance.
Hi Eric:
Confidence and competence are good bedfellows. Both contribute to a smoother and more enjoyable classroom experience.
Regards, Barry
I can speak from a time when I had less experience in the classroom. My first phase of be a lead instructor I was not prepared with syllabus, assignments, etc and it was difficult to gain the attention of the students because I was in and out of the classroom running to the copier. I took about 2 weeks before the students felt comfortable enough with my organizational skills to really open up. I looked like a bumbling fool and as some are apt to point out, "perception is everything." I am now 100% prepared before class begins. It sends an immediate signal to the students of what is expected from them.
