Vickie,
Good preparation as you've decribed conveys we're ready, willing, and set to go with the daily lesson. It sets a professional tone that class is serious stuff, and good organization contributes to this sentiment.
Barry Westling
As mention before we as instructors need to lead by example. I have all copying done ahead and have colored paper between stacks so I know it is the start of a new handout. I have all handouts, tests, homework ready to go for the next day on my desk the night before.
Andrea,
Right. It really stands out poorly when an instructor appears for class unprepared. Rarel can classes run smoothly or the instructor be as effective than if they had put in the necessary time to prepare. Students expect it, and besides, it's our job.
Barry Westling
Being organized and prepared for class shows your students that you care and are a professional. Not being organized or prepared prevents the instructor from flowing through the content and being prepared for any questions that may arise from the class. A true professional should know the content being taught well enough to answer questions from the class.
Samuel,
Great! I try to meet each student as they enter the class, with materials and resources already laid out so I can answer questions, or create a positive climate by just chatting informally.
Barry Westling
Jason,
Classes have to be specific and relative, especially for adult learners. Prepardeness is a necessity for effective instruction and learning to occur.
Barry Westling
It is extremely important to be organized and prepared to teach at least 10 minutes to the start of class. The students would show a lot of enthusiasm and respect if they see that their instructor is punctual and well orgaized. It helps with students retention and students engagement.
In order for an instructor to focus on the learners and make use of all the time available to teach, it is important to be well prepared and ready for class. This will show the students you respect them and the time and money they have dedicated to educate themselves.
Erica,
Sometimes refered to as soft skills, attributes of appropriate language and spelling, dress and grooming, behavior such as courtesy, and professional readiness such good attendance and punctuality often make or break a new employee. Less so is the technical skills in a job, but more so is the basic "just being there, on time, relating professionally to coworkers. More people are let go because of these very correctible traits than the technical skills that are a part of the job.
Barry Westling
Instructors are in a sense preparing students for the career world. Therefore, it is important for instructors to model appropriate behacior such as organizational skills and preparedness for work.
Kelly,
You're right, things just run smoother, in tempo with what an instructor wants when they are prepared. As you allude to, even if we want to change things up, preparation allows for an easy transition to make an event a "teachable moment".
Barry Westling
I like to think of the classroom as a discussion forum for students and instructor alike. By organizing your class material, outline of a daily topics, and subjects to discuss it creates a comfortable, open environment. I even like to play some low volumed music while students are coming in preparing for class. When unprepared I feel a lack of confidence and feel as though the entire class realizes I am unprepared. When prepared it feels as though the entire lecture is more of a discussion with students about a subject I know well and love.
Renee,
Benefits are as great for the instructor as they are for the students. Smooth classes, competent instruction, resources readied - these all suggest a serious, professional instructor at work.
Barry Westling
Derrick,
Readiness, preparedness, and organization demonstrate the foundation of a solid instructional foundation. Student outcomes will be improved in this environment.
Barry Westling
When instructor's are prepared for class this helps set the tone for the classroom. When you are organized, your students become more organized. Prep time is a great way to make the class time go smoothly. Students appreciate an organized instructor.
It gives you more time to focus on the students
John,
You're right, preparation for lab sessions is critical. Time lost getting ready is valuable time lost to student learning. Also, repeated practice has been shown to be effective in lab sessions. Denying students this opportunity (or delays as the instructor gets ready) is almost lioke a penalty to the students.
Barry Westling
John,
Yes, we are default role models like it or not. It's always interesting to me that ionstructors are paid to be prepared, to be present, to give all of their talents. Why and how they think giving anything less is a mystery to me.
Barry Westling
I fall victim to the fact that I am not always prepared for my class. In my field (Information
Technology), not being prepared for class will hinder the instruction because the student will literally feel lost. Hands-on Labs play a big role in my field and if I am not prepared it is very difficult to "wing-it".
The instructor is the exemplar. He/ she tends to set the bar at the level of performance the class is expected to perform at. Unprepared instructors portray to the class that it is okay for them to come to class unpreparted. Neatness counts or does it? The instructor's appearance reveals that to the class as well. It also shows the students the instructor cares enough about the students' education to utilize extra time to prepare and research the daily topic.
