Hi Isaac:
You've got a good point about putting in the effort to form a good solid foundation up fron t, then tweaking it to meet the anticipated needs or adjustments that are needed for a specific class.
Regards, Barry
For me, it is important to refine the next days work over and over again. At the front end, there is a lot of work to be done with power points and all. Once that hard work is established, the fun part starts by tweaking the power points and lectures.
Hi Cynthia:
Prepared teachers are ready for their class in every way. It begins before the students begin and continues throughout the learning cycle through assessment and completion.
Regards, Barry
Hi Anthony:
Great - these tenets of basic preparedness are the duty and responsibility of every taecher.
Regards, Barry
Organization is the first step of success, both for you as an instruction, and in the student learning process.
It is important for me to be organized and prepared for each class, because doing so adds to my performance and selfconfidence. Students can sense when an instructor does not have their act together and they deserve thoughtful and well prepared lesson plans.
Hi Dennis:
Sure, that's a great example of being prepared and ready for whatever may come our way. I've found as time has passed I have so much information I have to be very selective in order to stay on track. But if the topic wavers, I'm ready and have my maresources organized.
Regards, Barry
In many topical areas lot of preparation can't be planned. If the course material has the flexability to deviate from the planned topic, than the instructor must be extra prepared. For example, while we may plan on one path to an course objective, student interests may suggest another path is the better way. We need to be sufficiently well read and skilled in our core profession to be able to use the alternate path. It's essential we be well skilled in all areas of the course material, not just what we plan on teaching.
Hi Amy:
I think it's possible for students to lose respect for their teacher if they suspect the teacher holds them accountable for assignments and such, but they themselves are not prepared and responsible. There are no double standards (or there shouldn't be any).
Regards, Barry
Hi Dennis:
One part of our resonsibility is role models for students. You're right, what to we want our students to emulate? "Clutter" or "got it together".
Regards, Barry
Hi Dennis:
Yes - "one chance to make a good first impression". Prepared, organized, this means we are ready, and students see it when it's present. (And when it isn't).
Regards, Barry
Hi Avalokita:
Being ready makes all the difference. When you're organized and prepared, it shows, and the students soon learn they need to be like that as well.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cindy:
True. No down time. A weel prepared teacher will have the timing down and enough material even if the class runs short. Prepared can also mean ready. So, we want to be ready for whatever circumstance we encounter.
Regards, Barry
Hi David:
Surely, being organized makes for a consistent pace in order achieve the class goals.
Regards, Barry
Being organized prevents down time and keeps the class moving smoothly through transitions from lecture, activites, and media presentations. Down time is can lead to loss of control of the class.
Helps to keep class moving at steady pace, student let the now heres one, two, then three.....
An instructor must be organized and prepared for each class sessions so that he/she is able to focus on his/her students, rather than setting up and fumbling through paperwork to find handouts/worksheets. I often find that when I come in early to lay out my handouts and set-up for lecture I not only allow myself time to set up, which in turn allows me to focus my attention 100% on my students: welcoming them into class, getting them ready for the lecture, and helping them transition from lecture to group project/activity, etc., but it also makes for a positive learning environment.
Hi Susan:
Good point. Our time is valuable and limited. Keeping track of everything we need is an arduous task. Organization is a key ingredient to making our classes a success.
Regards, Barry
Dr. A:
I agree and believe that when the teacher cares, it shows and students pick up on that. It's also evident when the class is organized and the teacher prepared for the class. This demonstrates professionalism and, like other skills, students begin to pick up on these traits as well.
Regards, Barry
There is typically so much material to cover in such a short time frame that a good instructor MUST be prepared to present material at each class meeting in an organized and meaningful way or the students leaves feeling like they are waisting thier time, and not getting what they paid for.
