Graham,
Students do pick up on cues from their instructor regarding what is acceptable or unacceptable behavior. I have several carpeted classrooms that are very nice, very comfortable. Only bottled water is allowed in these classrooms. To some students, not having an open (or closed) cup of coffee at their table is a foreign idea, so I'll reinforce the classroom rule by taking a sip of water and saying something like, "Boy, a cup of coffee would sure be nice but like you guys, I have to follow the rules too".
Barry Westling
My students like to enter the classroom that is ready for a demo, well organzied and myself in a calm relaxed state ready for the day.As it is in the industry if your not ready for a service in the kitchen you will be in trouble.I like them to see me all set to go and having a coffee, every once in a while I remind them thats its not about having a cup of coffee but being "able" to have that short break saying look I'm ready.
Aaron,
As professionals, we know and understand the importance of the various topics we teach about. But to the student, they often lack the same level of appreciation as does the instructor. Presenting with enthusiasm, energy, and passion can produce interest and participation by students, ultimately leading to better student outcomes.
Barry Westling
Agreed,
If you are excited about the material you are covering it helps the sutdents see "Value" in what is being discussed.
Seth,
I put my daily plan of events up on the white board, along with what specific textbooks and related resources the student will need that day. If they come to class and see they are missing a needed resource, the white board information reduces the degree of unpreparedness.
Barry Westling
Having an agenda shows the students that it is important to be prepared and ready for the job. This behavior is an example of what they will encounter in the field.
MALCOLM,
This a good example of having a useful resource at the ready, especially for something like algebra, where practice is a significant component of the learning process.
Barry Westling
Stella,
This is true. And our main job is provide effective instruction every class session, and I can't that possibly occurring without adequate preparation. Our students expect that.
Barry Westling
As the Algebra instructor, I need to have hand-outs prepared in advance. One of them, at least, is the one that has the examples I do in class --similar to there Homework. Students have room to take notes on the pages or they can use lined paper if they want to.
Malcolm
being prepared for the class builds a foundation and sets the tone for the students to be more receptive , more respectful and helps them realize that need to develop organization and be held responsible for timeliness and punctuality in attending the course.
Darrell,
An organized approach helps assure what is planned has a good chance of being achieved. Students recognize and appreciate the effort their instructor goes to in preparing their instruction.
Barry Westling
This is the only way to be a successful instructor
Matthew,
We owe our students the courtesy and professionalism to be prepared and ready for class every scheduled session. And that's what students expect of us too.
Barry Westling
jason,
Sure, students will nearly always respond favorably when they see their instructor with their "act together", as in preparation, organization, and readiness
Barry Westling
practice what you preach. be a model to your students.
Acie,
In a way, organization is half of getting most things done. It's like a tool, and most jobs are done the best when the right tool is used. Students can learn to become more organized and most certainly, one of the ways is by daily observation and demonstration by their instructor.
Barry Westling
For me to be effective I have to stay organized, don’t get me wrong I do have to work at it, but on occasion when I have been unorganized I was not nearly as effective. I also see the students will be better at organizing when they see me that way. I always talk about being organized on the very first day of class with my students as well.
Ida Romelle,
Good for you. This is a great example for preparing back-up plans. My emphasis in this post is to the regular instructor for the class, the one who is responsible day in and day out for competent instruction. But there'll always be special circumstances, such as you describe.
Barry Westling
But I had one experience when I was newly hired as an instructor ,not that I was new in this kind of job , I was asked to cover for the instructor who has an emergency ,although I don't like to face the class with no preparation , I have to be available to help in that time of need. So I just asked for the scheduled topic and did the best I can ,and went on with the discussion based on clinical experiences and situations. It went well and was not even noticed that I was not prepared. There goes the versatility.
