Being organized and prepared shows the students that you take pride in your job. You are there because you want to be. It shows the students that you care about providing them with the best education.
Shelly,
Yep! I think most teaxchers are hired for their knowledge and perhaps experience in a particular subject. But if not prepared for class every time students meet, that credibility, confidence and trust students have for their teacher can become diminished. But beyond that, we have a commitment to students to be prepared to deliver the best class sessions and organize resources that will help them prepare for the work force after graduation.
Barry Westling
Instructors are role models for their students. It is important to ensure that you are prepared for class to set a good example for the students. If they see that you are not prepared it is difficult to enforce homework deadlines and have the students take them seriously. Instructors who are not prepared for class send out a message that behavior such as that is acceptable in the real world.
Billie,
Yes, also students are apt to show respect, get their assignments done, and take their class seriously. The curriculum can be terrific, but if in the minds of students they perceive disorganization or lack of prepardeness, they can become apathetic, the course material confusing, and/or students demonstrate less than being interested in the class.
Barry Westling
As an instructor, being organized and prepared to teach sets a good example for students and creates a positive tone for instruction. Students will take an organized instructor more seriously.
Loretta,
Many diiferent perspectives about the teacher are possible when students appear for the class of an unprepared teacher. What probably occurs with regards to respect? Sincerity? Wiilingness to listen? Full engagement? And as you infer, competence? Our job is to be ready and perhaps students will emulate that. But even if they don't that doesn't diminish our responsibilities to the student we are accountable to.
Barry Westling
Brian,
Getting a class organized with prepared copies, handouts, resources, equipment, etc. does take some time and planning, but it pays off in having the class run smoothly, seamlessly transitioning from topic to topic. This benefits the students and, as you say, helps the teacher feel at ease with their class facilitation.
Barry Westling
When students come in the class they expect their instructor to be prepared for class, if not they or not organized they may feel that the instructor is not skilled enough to teach class.
I think class prep helps me to be more relaxed and in control and I believe that helps the students be more engaging and attentive in class
Paul,
Very true. Wasted time is very problematic because it's so valuable and we have so little (certainly not enough to waste). Prepared beforehand with copies made, handouts ready, materials readied, resources gathered - all of this sets the tone that says "I'm here, ready to get toy work, and so should you". Also, I like to chat a bit before class with students who arrive early, and having everything set beforehand allows me to have that quality 1 on 1 time, or be available to answer any questions.
Barry Westling
This is necessary to build rapport and to maintain rapport with your students. Furthermore being organized allows you to run an efficient class room thus saving time and allowing more time to be allocated to actual instruction and learning.
Christopher,
I agree that students pick up the teacher's ways (and degree of preparation) very quickly. The teacher should "command the environment", not in the sense of an autocratic boss, but as a skilled facilitator of learning, ready and willing to assist students in their studies. Much of of this is silently "telegraphed" to students in the way a class is organized and conducted. Prepared and organized from day one sets the tone for the remainder of days in that class.
Barry Westling
Proper preparation for one’s duties for the day is not limited to instructors. Part of our job as instructors is to prepare the students for the real world workplace. If you are not prepared yourself how can you instill that quality in your students for their future success.
Students develop opinions very quickly about their instructors and their knowledge of the subject matter. An instructor that is well prepared and ready prior to the start of class and maintain that organization through the class time, gives the instructor, in the student’s eyes) credibility and strengthens their status as a subject matter expert.
Organization in the classroom leads to a better learning environment and a better chance of success for the students.
Jodi,
You're right, when students are paying, they are a consumer, and want to know their dollars are "worth it". So each day and hour is valuable. At least, that's how we should prepare for whether students appreciate it or not. That's our mission and comission as teachers.
Barry Westling
Being organized for class shows that I am well prepared. i think it also shows the class I respect their time, and I am not going to be wasting their and my time trying to get situated. I think when I come to class prepared and organized the class also respects me more too. It shows them I am taking their education seriously.
Margaret,
Students can be harsh, yes. Deserved complaints would naturally result from teachers who display rudeness, are underprepared, disorganized, unavailable, or (for whatever reason), unapproachable. Even teachers with great knowledge and capabilities will be shunned by students if the teacher appears unprepared.
Barry Westling
Randy,
Yes. As you imply, this goes beyond day one, but organized and prepared classes should be the expectation from start to finish. We don't allow the students to let up on their learning activities, so we can't let them down on our readiness to facilitate their learning.
Barry Westling
I totally agree that Preparation is very important. If the Instructor goes into class unorganized students are the first to complain and say that the Instructor does not know what they are doing.
Margaret Clarke
I find that my students expect an organized structure and they certainly deserve it. In additon to creating a perception of professionalism, a well prepared and structured class eliminates many ambiguities that may otherwise create anxiety or disillusionment. It allows students to set milestones for success in the classroom.
Students learn from example and the teacher is providing it. The curriculum is not the only thing students are learning in the classroom.
Its more professional,and it shows you care about your students.
