Hi Marita:
That's true. Additionally, it may decrease the stress we as instructors can feel about presenting information. If we're prepared, we're less likely to feel stressed about presenting the information effectively.
Regards, Barry
Hi Patricia:
If an instructor is disorganized, it may convey an unintentional message. For example, it may give the student the idea "I don't care about your learning".
Regards, Barry
Hi Daniel:
Being prepared does give the message the instructor cares about the student outcome. Most of us can probably think of a teacher we've had that we can say "that person cared".
And those people were usually prepared, and approachable if we had difficulty with the topic.
Regards, Barry
Hi William:
It is important to be prepared for two reasons - first, to decrease the amount of stress an instructor may feel when delivering that information, and second, to maintain credibility with the student group.
Regards, Barry
Hi Lacey:
One technique that instructors may use is to write out the daily objectives, then repeat those objectives at the end of the learning session to make sure the student has gotten the main idea.
Regards, Barry
Hi Alison:
Exactly. Instructors who are unprepared tend to lose credibility with their student groups.
Lost credibility is sometimes really difficult to regain.
Regards, Barry
Hi Angela:
Yes - we've all had instructors who were less than adequately prepared. And students who find themselves in that situation probably will feel how we all do - that either instructor doesn't care, or has lost some credibility with the group.
Regards, Barry
No offense, but I don't give the appearance of anything. The manner in which you present your self to your students is exactly how they expect you to be.
Firm, humor, compassion, and a sincere desire to see each of them succeed is not an appearance. it is a sense of security for some, and sense of self reliance for others.
Mentorship, and focused directive learing is something that is just now coming of age is in large part where we "United States" has fallen short for some time. Why is it that european, and asian child are so much further ahead of our children in scienc and mathematics; well "No child left behind " has promoted the idea that numbers rather than quality and self support are greater than a student actually standing on their own two feet as it were.
Be the rock to security, the light of knowledge, and the hand that supports them even when they fail, be there and support them to know sometimes you have to lose to learn to play the game. No everyone is a first time, everytime winner, and not everyone is going to be a nobel laureate, but everyone is important help your student find their special something; no matter what it is.
We always want the students to be well-prepared for each class by arriving to the classroom on time, bringing necessary texts, workbooks, assignments, paper & pens/pencils, going to the restroom during breaks, etc., which allows for us to get started on time & presents a smooth flow to the session. If the instructor comes to class late, forgets his/her teaching material, or seems disorganized, it's telling the student that he/she isn't following the same rules expected of them. It only takes 1 or 2 times for the students to witness this type of behavior by the instructor, before they (the students) will follow suit. Then begins the REAL battle! It will be harder then to get everyone back into line again.
Sometimes instructors want to have a chance and once before a large class they become overwhelmed and seem to be unprepared for the lesson.
Separate the difference when you evaluate the individual. Some people larege number numb them, and some roll with the flow, other become petrified as they realize "Tag" I'm it.
Outwardly it would appear as not being prepared for the material and not the people, then on the other hand students take advantage of sensed weaknesses without fail and exploit this into their favor.
Know what your looking for in an instructor, have them do an actual impromtu class session before a live class, observe and make your assessment based on three factors.
1. ability to adapt without notice
2. the ability to affect a positive change without benifit of prior knowledge
3. the ability to feel comfortable with 1 or 100,000 students
I don't know how most of you have been teaching but after having taught for over forty years at varying levels of expertise you should know the material inside and out. Understanding outcome potential as well as expectations should also be without fault.
Many educators make the mistake of believing that they are the great "Carnak" and know all, sad as it is ego and intellect do not match.
Preparation and organization are good but remember the only constant we are assured is change. What I mean by that is that sometimes adaptation must be immediate and without warning to the students or subordinates. Situations, circumstances and opportunites oftem occur without warning and must be utilized when available to ensue a total learning opportunity.
For me, personally, it is important to be organized and prepared for a couple of reasons. First, being prepared and organized helps to put me at ease and makes me comfortable in the classroom. Second, when I am prepared, I know what needs to happen in the classroom to maximize the student's learning opportunities, and that's ultimately what teaching is all about.
It is important for an instruct to be organized and prepared because it shows respect and our dedication to the students success. I expect the students to come to class prepared, they should expect the same from me. I can't ask them to behave or do anything that I can't or won't do myself. I need to lead by example and make that imprint on the students.
Amy Rogers
Hi Marshall:
Right! We've all probably had an unprepared instructor before. Sometimes, that can unintentionally convey that the instructor does not care about the student.
What a problem that could create!
Regards, Barry
Hi Paul:
What some instructors do to help stay on track is always have a back-up plan or two that can be presented to the students at any time.
Some feel that doing this regardless helps break up the monotony of teaching and addresses other types of learning styles.
Regards, Barry
Hi Lacy:
Good point - how detrimental to our credibility as instructors if we influence the student into thinking we don't care about their outcomes!
Regards, Barry
Hi Terry:
A lot of instructors have commented and feel that there is traditionally a loss of credibility for the instructor if they come across unprepared.
It sounds like your teaching environment has specific expectations of the students where this might not be a large problem at your institution.
Regards, Barry
Hi Elsie:
Good point - the opposite may true as well. If an instructor comes in unprepared, it may convey they don't care about the successful outcome of the student.
This impression would most likely have a negative impact to a students learning outcomes.
Regards, Barry
Hi Wanda:
You describe a very effective technique - by reviewing an objective for the day, and perhaps reviewing it at the end of the learning period gives the student the opportunity to self-assess if they've missed any salient points that day.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kamarah:
Excellent - you illustrate what we all would feel in this situation. I care about what Im learning, or its not important to care.
I imagine every instructor hopes their students will care about the information. As instructors we should remember the lesson you've illustrated here.
Regards, Barry
