It makes the class flow better than if the instructor was unprepared.
Hi Alvin,
I have to agree when the instructor is calm, prepared and relaxed it conveys a learning environment that creates more clarity, and limits the chaos and calamity that can be present when hurried, unprepared teaching readiness is absent.
Barry Westling
Being organized and prepared for class means that you have done YOUR homework and puts you in a more relaxed and confident state of mind in the classroom. This transfers to the students and makes for a better learning environment.
Hi Diane:
To paraphrase, you're indicating there might be a loss of credibility if an instructor is consistently disorganized?
Regards, Barry
Hi Natelle:
Very true, and the opposite is true as well. If we instructors are consistently unprepared, we will lose credibility.
Regards, Barry
Hi Laura,
Terrific! This kind of care and attention to preparation creates such an effective learning environment, like a well oiled machine methodically churning along. Disorganization seems to create a sense of chaos and clutter while readiness for class projects, order, competent delivery, and clarity for the students.
Barry Westling
I have found that organization is the absolute key to classroom function and smooth learning. I like to have "extras"of handouts, and have them stapeled and in stacks according to the timing of the hand out. It is amazing..what difference it makes .....and you can make the most out of every classroom experience!
Hi Amina,
First impressions are important (We have only one chance to make a good first impression!). But even if day-1 is chaotic (which can be the case, outside the control of the teacher), subsequent classes that greet the student with evrything in oder, teacher ready, resources collected and prepared, ojjectives on the board, etc., - that creates the message "I'm ready". As you imply, it sets the tone for the class.
Barry Westling
The impression on your students has to be one that lasts forever,an organized and well prepared instructor will come across very little disruption if any when starting the class.
Hi Rochelle,
Good point about distractions. Students invariably are asking "what is required of me", or or what is it that I am supposed to do?". A well organized class provides the answers to these questions in a general way and specific way. General, through the syllabus with details of teacher expectations. Specific, through daily learning objectives, perhaps written on the board, displayed in a PPT slide, or handed out. Disorganization can lead to confusuion, and students are seeking clarity. Even small actions can help in bigger ways in the minds of students.
Barry Westling
Hi David,
At many schools, if this happened more than once a year (even with good reason), the instructor would probably lose their job. In career schools, students usually sign a contract, binding them to pay X amount of dollars for X amount of instruction. If a student complained to the administration, the potential threat of the school losing federal financial aid would be too great to have it jeopardized by one slacker instructor.
Barry Westling
Students can easily recognize if an instructor is prepared and organized. This is what sets the tone for the class. When you are prepared, your lessons will be presented in a clear and structured way. When you are organized,you minimize distractions.
Any distraction, such a the teacher who is chronicly late for every lecture, takes away from the learning experience. I've had instructors in college who were 10-15 minutes late every week! Not only are you wasting valuable time, but the students begins to question how much you really care about the class. These distractions should be avoided at all costs.
Being prepared shows that you know what you are doing, that you care about the content and the class. This engages students and greatly reduces discipline problems.
Hi Justin,
It is rare a teacher can just walk into a class and expect to conduct with it with success. The saying "Fail to prepare and prepare to fail". If we have to fill in on short notice, activities that help are review of previous material, discussion, outling material from the text with the expectation for each student to present to the class. I'm sure there are many other equally effective techniques.
Barry Westling
I have been caught off guard before with getting a class assignment at the last minute and not having the time to prepare properly. Those class have made me realize just how important preparation and organization are to keeping the students respect and involvement in the class.
Hi Billy,
True, yet in many classes, we have to blend the students original thought with key objectives for the course. Failure to prepare is often the road to a failed class experience.
Barry Westling
Hi Billy,
Sure. When students see the game plan, I think it helps them too in being a bit more open and ready for the next part of the class.
Barry Westling
Hi Destiny,
Clarity - wow...students thrive on clarity!
Barry Westling
Although we need to be organized, it is important to encourage each student's discovery of what they want to explore in the class.
