there is no substitution for preparation, students can see that an instructor is not prepared. not being prepared can cause students to get confused and ultimately can create a poor learning environment
Hi Michelle:
Look at it another way - what kind of message does it send to the student when the instructor is disorganized? Might it inadvertently send the message "I don't care about your learning"?
Regards, Barry
Hi Lawrence:
You make some strong points here. One way we might facilitate a higher chance of success with ALL students is to offer regular evaluation with feedback. And, during those feedback sessions, the student gets the chance to see what kind of changes they may need to make in study habits for a more successful outcome at the end of the course.
Regards, Barry
Entering a classroom prepared sets the tone for the rest of class. If a teacher comes into the room in a flurry of disarray and unpreparedeness, it sets the tone for the day. Be prepared, know your material, led by example. How does a teacher expect to gain any respect and actually have a student listen to their lecture, if they are unorganized and not prepared?
Hi Kaytha:
By being disorganized, the instructor might send the wrong kind of message to the student, something like "I don't care about your learning".
Regards, Barry
Being organized and prepared for class, shows respect to the students. They appreciate an organized instructor. For my classes, I also have a portable file, that I have every student write their name on a folder, then it is placed in the file box in alphabetical order. When they enter the class, they sign it, pick up their folder. In the folder is the needed paper for the class, and their graded papers. At the end of the class, folders are placed back into the filebox with their homework and other assignments that are due. Not only do the students like this, it is handy for grading papers :)
Hi Wendy:
Another consideration is this: what kind of message do we send our students when we are disorganized? It may unintentionally send them the message "I don't care enough about your learning to be organized".
Regards, Barry
Being unorganized can cause an instructor to be frustrated, which could cause anxiety for the students. Being unorganized also causes chaos, which is not the best atmosphere for learning.
In order to be a effective instructor and show crediability
Being ready and organized helps build competance by letting the student know you are in command of the topic
This shows command of the topic and helps the stuent to learn in an organized fashion
Students need to be valued and treated as adult learners and more than likely will prepare.
If you are not ready and organized for class the students can tell and they just mite run your class for you and that's not good.
I agree 100%. It shows how much we care when we prepare as well as making the students aware that if they prepare too, they will have more sucess.
Hi Amy:
If we are disorganized, it may suggest to the student "I don't care about your learning".
Regards, Barry
Hi Christi:
The problem with coming across as disorganized is that it may cause a loss of crediblity, and send the student an unintentional message that "I don't care".
Regards, Barry
Hi Carla:
Exactly - we may lose credibility if we aren't organized on a regular basis. Also, this may send the wrong kind of message to the student.
Regards, Barry
Hi Lawrence:
The compassion you are describing is very important. A student will definitely learn best and be open to an instructor when they feel like the teacher cares for them.
Regards, Barry
Hi Jenny:
This sounds like a great method to help keep you on track for the day. In general, instructors should do everything possible to be organized. Otherwise, it may result in the wrong message being sent to the students.
Regards, Barry.
Being prepared for class helps the students realize that the content of the class means something to you as well as it should to them. It allows them to see that you as the instructor have a passion for the subject matter and that you care about having the time to share that expertise. You are not wasting time being disorganized.
