Hi Jill:
Being prepared in the manner you've described also helps to keep the level of stress to a minimum. Imagine how much more stress the instructor has to navigate through when they are unprepared!
Regards, Barry
Hi Dionne:
Exactly - in the vein of being a role model, what message does it send our students when the instructor is disorganized - a good one or negative one?
Hi Brandy:
Very true. Additionally, being organized sends the right kind of message to the student. A good question for every instructor to ask themselves mightbe, "what message does it send to the student if I am disorganized"?
Many, many reasons. For starters, you are a role model for your students. Without being organized, you are showing your students they don't need to prepare when they are in the field. Also, in addition to it gaining respect *by* the students, it shows respect *for* the students. They should know you do not want to waste their time. These are just a few of the many reasons organization and preparation are vital.
As Subject Matter Experts, we are expected to know the subject we are teaching, and we expect to be respected for our expertise and experience. Being disorganized at any point in the class, not just the beginning, shows a lack of professionalism which can adversely affect both expectations. Part of what we try to develop in our career college students is the concept that professionalism at work is just as important as technical ability. By being unprepared, we diminish in the students' eyes, making it harder to get their respect and their attention.
Because the students are watching you to make sure that you know the subject matter, you are enthused about the course content. They want to make sure you speak clearly, and with confident. Your responses to a student question should be helpful. Your desk should be neat and organized, papers should not be scattered all over the desk. We as instructors should be a lighthouse to students, showing them that we are there to help them sail on into success.
For the instrutor: To know where you are headed, why and when
For the student: They see that organization is VERY important!!
I think that teaching and cooking have a lot in common. You have to have your "mise en place" That means a place for everything and ything in its place. We have all had days where something has prevented us from being completely prepared. If I don't have everything set up an ready to go at 15 minutes before class starts I KNOW it is going to be a tough day.
I,too, often write a mini lesson plan (agenda) in the upper corner of the board so the class wouldnow exactly what to expect. They like it as we check off each one since they know class is getting closer to the end!!!!
To model is one of the best ways to teach!..If instructors don't demonstrate professionalism and responsibility, then , at least for some, those don't translate into important characteristics for a successful person to possess.
Exactly how can we ask our students to be responsible and make efforts to improve their professionalism in and out of the classroom if we do not model it form them.
I feel it is very important to be organized and prepared for each of my classes. When I walk into my classroom I want to be able to keep the flow moving from one topic to the next because I am organized with the information and also because I am prepared with whatever the content of the class happens to be that day. I feel it is also important for my students to witness an organzied and prepared instructor so they feel they are getting proper use of class time and not like they are being cheated out of material because I am not ready for them.
I am glad that this works so well for you. Today, I started a new class which is a 5 1/2 week course. I came in prepared and ready to go. I made sure before class started that all the information was linked to the student portal. All of the course paperwork was copied and ready to go. The class has 20+ students in it and they are very talkative amongst themselves. Do you find that sometimes the size and of the group really influence the energy and dynamics of the class. My class is a career based class and the students are complaining day one that it is too much work for a 5 ½ week course.
It is important so you can be a good example to the student.
It shows competence and demonstrates a positive message to the students. It allows the students to focus on the material.
I teach General Education courses. Many of my students come into the class feeling frustrated that they have to take time away from their career based classes for a Humanities class. Because of this, it is especially important that I be organized from the very first day. This sets my students at ease, lets them know that I value the time they are spending with me, and makes me feel confident when faced with a student who is frustrated.
I agree, being prepared demonstrates you took the time and effort to ensure a positive classroom experience. No one wants an instructor who is shuffling papers and whispering under her breath,"Where did I put that darn handout?" It sets a poor tone for the rest of the class and undermines the ablility of the instructor.
I believe in leading by example, if you come to class prepared,organzied, and ready to capture their attention that they will capitalize on that behavior and begin to model it.
Because it shows the class you care and you take pride in your job and in the classroom. Gives the student a sense of assurance with the material you have to lecture.
Its important to have a good attitude in all aspects of your life to carry through to our teaching abilities!
It show students that you value their time and want them to be a success.
