By setting this as an example, I always hope my students get the message.
Hi Glenn,
Nice little reminder about prepardeness. Newer teachers probably don't recognize how much time class preparation takes. But coming unprepared is almost worse that most anything. It's hard to fake it, or teach a class extemporaneously effectively. It's like taking a trip without a plan, a destination, or the means to make any of it happen.
Barry Westling
Dr. Richard,
Great! There really is not a substitute for preparedness. Students grow to expect their teacher to be the expert, to have the materials, resources, and instructional tools needed for a class. When students appear and the teacher has everything laid out, copies made, objectives written on the board, that makes a statement "I'm ready" and "I'm serious" about this class. Preparedness makes it more likely a class will be lively, upbeat, enjoyable, and interesting.
Barry Westling
In thirty years of teaching I have worked on a simple premise; the 6-P's, Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
Being prepared starts prior to the first class. I devote at a minimum of as much out-side of class time to class time in prep for each session I teach. I am also available to my students an hour prior to class for each session. That hour gives me time to reflect on the students as they enter the classroom and open discussions with individuals.
Hi Theresa,
Good point. I think students appreciate and expect order in their classrooms. They have enough chaos in their lives without our contribution to it at school. When organized, students see time and effort has occured and the teacher is ready and serious about the class. The students will be likely to follow in kind. Also, this avoids having to have a lot of rules - the prepared, organized class proceeds and students will naturally learn to be on time, participate, and perform well because that is the expectation.
Barry Westling
Many of the textbooks we use in criminal justice are generalized and my contradict the law and practices within a given state or jurisdiction. Concurrently, many textbooks are obsolete by the time of publishing. Accordingly, it is important to recognize and supplement lesson plans with specific jurisdictional application, contemprary, and climacteric information. This requires reviewing the syllabus, textbook, and lesson plans (even those prepared by you the instructor) to determine the accuracy of information, its relevance, determine if it is realistic, and recent. In many cases, this requires you to review the state statutes, court opinions, and conduct a literature review. Preparation is a dynamic process.
It's important for instructors to be organized and prepared for class because this upholds order during class time. It also sets an example for your students to do the same.
Hi Jeff,
Yeah, it something can go wrong it probably will. Having all resources, handouts, copies, and related materials ready to go before class begins shows you are prepared, but also serious about your work and the lessons that are about to be delivered.
Barry Westling
Hi Amber,
You are a special teacher. Taking pride in what we do is a basic tenet all instructors should have. When you receive feedback that you've attained that, it reflects on your dedication for prepared students!
Barry Westling
To ensure the instruction is conveyed smoothly. Also to ensure contingencies are identified and thought out ahead of time (projector breaking) etc.
As an instructor I find a great sense of pride when I prepare a lecture or presentation for my students. I value them, and sincerely care about the information I provide to them. I do this with the intention to prepare them for a career in health care. Also my students have told me time and again that they appreciate my delivery of material.
Hi Gwen:
Students are typically pretty smart, and will quickly pick up on the preparedness of their instructor. Think of the long-term, negative impact it might have on the student's willingness to learn if the instructor is consistentley disorganized.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kim:
No matter how prepared we are as instructors, sometimes, you might get through the information faster or slower then you intended which can impact other class sessions. For this realistic possibility, it's a good idea to prepare alternate activities if need be. A great one is dividing the group into discussion scenarios and having the students work together to solve a made up problem.
Regards, Barry
Hi James:
Very true. On the other hand, what if we did what you describe as an activity on purpose, then have the students return and describe what they talked about?
Regards, Barry
Hi Laura:
One reason why newer instructors may be disorganized is lack of familiarity with the material they are teaching. For this scenario, it's always a great idea to have a back-up plan or two that the instructor can bring out to help fill the time, and foster discussion.
Regards, Barry
Hi Luequiten:
Another interesting thing that can happen is a loss of credibility for the instructor if they are consistently disorganized.
Regards, Barry
Thomas,
My preparation may convey professionalism, but my purpose is being ready to teach and do all I can to get the students to learn all they can.
Regards, Barry
It indicates an appropriate level of professionalism.
Hi Bruce,
You're right. When students see materials laid out, copies made, daily objectives wriiten on the whitevboard, etc, that conveys the teacher is ready for class and prepared to teach. This also conveys something about expectations students can develop for their own successfulness - we are role models.
Regards, Barry
I am a firm beliver that the orginazitoin and layout of the class will have a great out come on the class having the things in place needed to do your class are very important to have an even flow and a great perception from the students being prepared is vital to the class as awhole and being sure the course goes good.
