Hi David:
Imagine a hectic, harried, disorganized classroom, papers all over the place, and class is about to begin. Class starts 10 minutes late. And the teacher "snaps" at a students when they ask a question by saying, "can't you see I'm trying to get ready for class?".
Compare that to the teacher greeting students as they enter, agenda for the day listed on the board, all course materials and resources needed are readily avilable, and the class follows an organized, structured format. The class begins in a clam and relaxed manner with. "OK, are there any questions before we begin?".
No question about which setting will produce better learning.
Regards, Barry
Hi Seth:
Good thoughts. Students appreciate the time and effort a teacher puts into their class. Prepared teachers are able to provide a smooth, seamless, calm, and relaxed atmosphere, which is definitely appropriate for learning.
When organized, Essential information can be presented in a logical sequence, and asyou say, still provide for some variation as the teacher will know how much time is available and what still needs to be covered.
Regards, Barry
It is very important to be organized and prepared because during the class many students look at the instructor as a rolemodel for the material they are learning. If the instructor is laxed and unorganized the students will feel the same way about learning the material, handing in assignments and even attendance. If the instructor is organized and the student is given an idea of what material is to come, the student can enter the course prepared and ready to learn.
This is an important concept for several reasons. One, it gives the students the impression the instructor is serious about the material and is professional. Two, it makes it possible for the instructor to address all of the information needed to be covered during the class time. Finally, it allows the instructor to be free for improvisation because the stress of "winging" it is gone due to the preparation and organization.
I never quite understood the disorganized instructor. With so much going on in a clasroom, why would you do that to yourself? It's hard enough to keep up with the materials and training aids, especially now that we have projectors, and powerpoint, and computers, and DVD's, and network logins, and all the technological nightmares that can come with them. Not to mention the 30+ students (whos names you have to remember), all with different personalities and attention levels. Add to the top of that possible peer reviews or administrative tours of your classroom and you can have a very hectic and stressfull environment.
Why would anyone make their job harder, and possibly diminish the learning potential of their classroom by not organizing their personal materials before class so they can be fully focused and prepared to handle any challenges that may arise?
Hi Chris:
Organization conveys to students we have taken time to prepare a lesson that is legitimately beneficial and worth paying attention to. Students will lose interest if they feel little preparation ghas gone into the lesson.
Regards, Barry
It shows my students that I am a professional and that I take thier education seriously.
Being prepared also allows me to have a plan in place when challenges arise such as non-attentive students.
Hi Daniel:
I think it's true that if a teacher cares, that'll come through in their level of preparation.
Regards, Barry
Steve -
1) Be on time. Because that individual my not be the best test taker, but if he or she shows up on time every day. It shows to the employer that individual is dedicated to learning and would be a dependable employee to them.
2) Be prepared for the unexpected. You may be taking walks out the lab everyday to look at something and gain some type of knowledge.
3) Never say stupid or dumb. Especially in my class. It only means to me is an unanswered question. If you tell a kid long enough that he or she is stupid or dumb. They may use it as a crutch and use it as a dependency from learning something that is important in life.
If the instructor is not prepared and organized, the students will question why they should be prepared and organized. When the instructor is prepared, it demonstrates that he respects the goals of the class and the students. And that his behavior matches the expectations he has for the students.
Sets the tone of the class. If you are organized and prepared it makes you look more professional and students will take you more seriously right from the start
Organization is the key to almost everything. if your not organized with hand-outs or syllabi, how will you be organized with your class or even lectures?
I believe that it is important to be prepared and organized for each class that you teach. Why? Because, I have noticed that being organized and prepared allows the class to flow. The students feel important and they take part in the class. If I was not as prepared as I should be--I noticed that the class does not flow and the students loose interest.
Hi Robert:
Perfect! That an advantage of good organizational preparation, it maximizes our time for the better. And students notice. And appreciate the effort.
Regards, Barry
Organization and preparation are important for the reasons that everybody else has been offering. What it does for me, though, is increase the efficiency of delivery. Without having to foof about looking for materials or resources, I'm able to streamline the instruction in whatever form that particular class might take. By doing so, I;m about to see the small opportunities to maximize the delivery of information - time to ask one more question, time to give one more example, time to answer one more question...
Hi Ruth:
You hit it on the head with "diaster". I can't believe there are instructors who think they can teach a class or series of classes without adequte preparation.
I plan, think, coordinate, gather resources, acquire materials and teaching aids, review or develop PPT's, make hadouts for vitually every class I teach. The results are obvious.
So it would be if effort to preparing does not accompany class organization and readiness.
Regards, Barry
Hi Jessica:
Timeliness is a part preparation, and does contribute to being a good role model.
Good teachers put in time, effort, thought, planning, and resource acquisition in rediness for every class. When students arrive, they are there, not fumbling throgh papers, making last minute copies, monkeying around with the computer, etc.
They are there to greet students, answer questions without the students feeling they're interrupting or bothering the teacher. When class starts, there is an order and a plan. The teacher is calm and relaxed, confident in their lesson preparation, and needed resources are ready when needed.
In this environment, the student know the teacher is competent, is in charge, and ready and willing to assist their students towards success.
Regards, Barry
Hi Lakiesha:
Being ready does take preparation. Well prepared classes run smoothly, teacher and students are calm and relaxed, and the entire learning session is more enjoyable and interesting.
Regards, Barry
Being prepared for class is way to lead by example. If I require the students to prepare for lecture by reading the material the night before or if I expect them to have their homework ready to turn in on the deadline, I indeed, expect them to be prepared.
Being prepared and organized for each class helps keep yourself and your students on track.
