Eric,
You're right, we do have an obligation to our students, if not ourselves. It's a commitment we give in our trade as teachers. Students expect the most from us and being unprepared doesn't fit that model well at all.
Barry Westling
It is not only respectful to our customers (our students) but it alos gives us the template and confidence to give a valuable class performance.
Heather,
Yep, as it's said, "we've got one chance to make a good first impression". Organization leads to better prepared classes, perhaps more thorough and creative becuse our thoughts are organized. When we're prepared it just adds to a more interesting class. The hurried, frazzeled, hectic-pace teacher conveys less than a wonderful picture of competence and confidence.
Barry Westling
I had a student tell me once on day one that she could tell I was organized just by me walking in the door and putting my notebook on the desk. It was rather organized. This is a good example of giving a good first impression.
I am finding this to be the case the longer I have been in the class. I did not realize how vital this was until being on both sides of the fence of this topic. I am still trying to learn more and more ways of putting this into practice.
Teresa,
True, we are in charge of our class and our responsibility is to convey needed information in an effecient, timely, and interesting delivery style.
Barry Westling
First, it's a basic responsibility of the positon. Secondly, it makes "flow" a possibility without risking important content being conveyed to the students. Third, it minimizes stress in our power to control.
Francine,
Good! That feeling students have of their teachers willingness to help is huge for many, and establishes the way those who need help to seek it out, rather than shyly avoiding asking for help.
Barry Westling
For one thing, it sets a good example for students. Secondly, it lets your students know that you are willing to help them be successful by preparing for class time.
Qiana,
You're right. I once had a physics teacher who I could ask the most probing questions, and that guy was able to take the question, answer it, and seamlessly tie it into the current discussion. Way back then, I just thought he was smart. Now, years later I realize he was prepared. What a lasting impression!
Barry Westling
Students can tell if your are not organized or prepared for class. Just as we can tell when they are not. Being prepared helps you to be able to answer any questions they may have. After all you are to be the expert so, you should be prepared. If you are not prepared then your students will not be able to get a smuch out of the class.
Edward,
Being on time (or before), greeting students, being approachable to ask questions. These convey the teacher cares, and they're simple to do and every teacher is capable of doing them. But in order to do these (simple) tasks, the teacher has to have all their stuff in order, copies made, materials and resources gathered, daily plan mapped out - in short, ready to rock and roll. This, coupled with student access to the teacher makes for good student/teacher relationships, and of course, that helps in the learning process.
Barry Westling
Asside from the fact the students watch how you conduct your class, if you are not prepared for class, you will waste the students time while you are fumbling around. Your presentation may suffer from missed material that should have been given as well as confused students.
Kirsten,
Yeah, its hard to break an unfavorable student perception that occurs early on in a class. Your post seems to suggest that if we are adamant about our "picture of preparedness and organization" regularly and especially at the beginning stages, we can limit the unfavorable student perceptions to some degree. To that I'd agree. Of course its easy to say "be that way all the time" which we can strive for but in reality will probably miss some days, but getting the expectations set from the get go will diminish the frequency of unfavorable perceptions.
Barry Westling
I have to admit that at times I am much more organized than I am at other times. I can tell the difference in how my students respond to my level of organization. Especially when I have been disorganized early in a class term, I have had to face constant student perception that I am disorganized overall. I have even had the impression that I have faced more student challenges about grading and possible 'missing' assignments when I have presented with disorganization even though I have been certain that I have kept assignments very organized and have not 'misplaced' any assignments.
Brezita,
That "flow" is interesting, isn't it? Preparedness makes classes rum smoothly and transitions from topic to topic flow seamlessly. You're right, much success depends on the degree of teacher preparedness.
Barry Westling
Carole,
Respect is a two way street for sure. When students see our commitment they're at least be more likely to be a bit more diligent with their studies than when the teacher appears unprepared or disorganized.
Barry Westling
The key to success for me in the classroom has been to be really organized and well-prepared. The students feel more comfortable, they are more connected to the class and they learn more from the instruction. As an instructor it makes the class flow easier.
I agree with Clive. Organization will make or break a class. If an instructor is not prepared, it shows. By being organized the instructor will know how much time to spend on one subject and what materials go with each section. If the instructor is not organized, then much time could be wasted on figuring out which section to teach, what materials to use, and when to move on to a new topic.
Being organized and prepared is the respectful way to start the class. Some students may be distracted if you are fiddling with the AV equipment too much.
