Classes have "moods" similar to people. I ALWAYS have back up plans in case the original lesson plan is not working. I also have at leat one "fun" assignmnet to break the mood if necessary and start over again.
When I just started teaching a few years ago, I was surprised to hear students ask me (as they walk into the classroom): "What are we learning today?" I was new at teaching and did not realize that they wanted to know these things. That alone made me take more time to prepare, especially make the lecture more interesting. Now when students ask me a similar question, I tell them a story or a riddle that makes them think of what we will be learning that particular day.
The students need to feel that the teacher is prepared and knowledgeable in the field. Being lost and all over the place would shrink the confidence and trust that students have in their instructor!
Teachers who are willing to make a difference will take the time and interest to make their classes run smoothly. Mediocrity will be the best we can achieve otherwise. "
I couldn't agree more. It doesn't even take a whole lot to be prepared. It also shows the students that you care. Their perception about how much the instructor cares, will influence how much they care. Students who are in school for the right reasons will go out of their way for an instructor who cares about their learning.
Being prepared to teach helps the students feel that the instructor is knowledgable and organized. It helps the students focus on learning rather than focusing on how unprepared and unorganized you are as an instructor.
Being organized and prepared for each class really sets the tone for everything. By showing your skills as an organized and prepared leader, you are creating a role model for success - that can be emulated beyond the classroon, and into the real world. After all, that is what we're preparing our students for - success beyond the classroon. Our classes become the simulation for success, and the more we can bring to the table in terms of organization, the better we are preparing our students for encountering success in every facet of post education life.
Helps you and the class get the most out of class time.
It is profession and is required of you in order to have an understanding of what you are teaching and help gain the respect from your students.
It creates a sense of professionalism.
It shows respect for the students by being prepared to teach. A well organize Instructor will simulate the student in building a strong foundation to aid the performance of their duties.
Lets students realize you are compident as to material to be covered in a timely manner. Also leaving time to be considerate of potemtial class evolving discussions.
It's important to show students from moment one that you are concerned about them. It also shows the instructor is taking their job seriously. Organization doesn't mean one can't be inflexible, but if there's a steady outline/plan to follow for the term, if the deviations become too far away, it guides one back.
Hi Sarah:
What a terrible message it might send the student when we are disorganized! Could it cause a long-term impact to the learning relationship if our disorganization implies "I don't care about you and am unprepared"?
Regards, Barry
Everything will go much better if there is preparation and organizations. I found that sometimes I have to rearrange the flow of the class depending upon student reception and understanding.
Hi Chris:
Absolutely. What message does it send the students if the instructor is constantly disorganized? It would be terrible to imply to the students "I'm not prepared because I don't care".
Regards, Barry
It is important to prepare material or class plan in order to present the material in an orderly fashion so it's apparent to the student how the information fits the bigger picture. Also gives the instuctor the ability to anticipate
difficult areas in the material in order to prepare examples or explanations to answer potential student questions or misunderstandings.
The example I am setting is going to be part of what the student will take out with them when they start their career.
If I show myself as being organized and prepared, I am setting an example for what traits they need when they get into the workforce at their new profession. If I am sloppy, not prepared I am providing them with a poor example of how things are in the real world they will one day be in.
If an instructor is not prepared it gives the impression that the subject to be covered as well as the students are not considered important enough.
They will also lose respect for the instructor.
Our employers' expectations for our graduates is that they are ready for work each and every shift of each and every workday. Would that expectation be anything less for the instructors of these very same future graduates? Our modeling is for a role of readiness. Therein, be prepared is more than an oath for the Boy Scouts of America.
Being organized lets the students know that the time they spend in your course is important to you. You will not be wasting their time. Students want to know that they will be getting the most out of the classes they take.
