Andrea,
Yes, how we act and prepare is an example to our students. We have only a few chances to convey to students our level of preparation, so we need to set the standard right from the beginning.
Barry Westling
Instructors need to be organized and prepared for class to effectively teach the students the subject matter as well as hold their attention. You would not want the students attention on the disorganization and mess on your desk rather than your topic of study. This also sets an example of the organization level that you expect from your students.
Kathryn,
For me, I know class runs smoother when I feel and am prepared, materials organized, and all resouces ready for theinstructional period. When I am on task, my students feel the benefits when they sense I'm relaxed, approachable, and confident in the lesson material.
Barry Westling
Tracy,
Yep, like a journey, we can provide both the map and the resources to equip students to reach their destination. This won't happen without time, effort, and planning for effective results.
Barry Westling
Being organized will allow you to feel more prepared for your class and then you can focus more on your interaction with your students and personalize the material to them. This will also be a good example for your students.
Organization is the key to a successful learning experience for both the students and instructor. You have to know in what direction the focus of the facilitated discussions are going in the time that the students are with you, or you will just go in circles. Students do not know what they do not know, and it is our job to help guide them through that days journey of knowledge. Just as one would not hike without the basic tools, one can not instruct without basic tools to be used in that day.
Tracy Chesney, MSN-Ed, RN, CNE
Spring,
Great! Planning and putting in the time to make great (vs. just OK) class sessions is recognized and appreciated by students. There is nothing better than arriving to class with everything organized and ready to go.
Barry Westling
It is extreamly important that an instructor not only show up to class with all materials in hand but also that they understand what they will be teaching and understand what order they will be teaching in as well. Personally, I like to plan hour by hour so that I can keep myself on track. Additionally, I order all of my copies for the entire course 2-3 weeks prior to the course so that I am not making copies in a rush.
Andrea,
Good point and basic to a fundamental purpose of education: lead by example.
Barry Westling
Sherry,
Hiccups do occur, and that's a great time to have good back up plans in place. Last minute hurried busyness, scrambling to get class started doesn't convey a good image of a prepared instructor, and in some cases, diminishes the effectiveness of the instructor. It definitely pays to be ready for the planned and unplanned.
Barry Westling
Being prepared and organized for each classes lets the students know you are serious about your career in the field and as an instructor. Nonetheless, you must also lead by example. You can not expect punctuality and organization from your students if you do not do it.
I agree totally, I like to get to my class at leasat 30 minutes early to have everything ready, the copier at school is very busy with other instructors so I like to have everything as ready as possible
I like to have my handouts all ready to go and be prepared, there is always last minute "hiccups" that can't be avoided
Dan,
We get few chances to make a good first impression, and it's even harder to break a lasting impression once students make up their minds about reversible behavior.
Barry Westling
David,
Right! Student are savvy consumers who want and expect a quality product for what they're paying for. And because its our job, we are not fulfilling our obligation to our employer if we come to class unprepared.
Barry Westling
Aside from the obvious benefits of having everything at hand and not taking valuable class time away from the students, always being prepared and on time sets an example, for the students, that goes beyond the classroom into their work and personal lives.
It is very unprofessional for a instructor to be unprepared for class. Students become very aware of this and can very upset that class is not starting on time and starting properly. Other students may follow the instructors lead and not be prepared as well, which can create tension and ill feelings about the class.
Mary,
I believe cousrse that are taught repeatedly, over time, many of the needed curricular resources will already be in place. Keeping these in an orderly, organized fashion should help the instructor simply "pull mneeded material off the shelf" when ready to teach that module. It does take planning and time to make this system work.
Barry Westling
We have a pre-determined, excellerated curriculum. I really like the idea of color groupings for the various content sections. And staying a class ahead in my prep is essential.
Mihaela,
True, we are often looked to for direction, example, and how successful people behave. Besides a comepetent instructor, we have that additional responsibilty of modeling the best professional behaviors to our students.
Barry Westling
An organized and prepared instructor shows respect for the students,for her/himself and the material being taught. We are seen as role models by our students and we lead by personal example. The only way we can expect them to be prepared is by being prepared and organized ourselves.
