It is very important for instructors to be organized and prepared for each class. You have to remember you are the professional; you are the one setting the example for the students. Not only that, students could portray your lack of organization and preparedness as if you do not care about the class or even them. You want your students to know that you want them to learn, you enjoy what you do, and you are glad to be there.
Eurico,
I feel that without adequate preparation, it is unlikely instructors can be effective educators. They have have the experience but without a plan and the readied resources to execute it, students will not be served.
Barry Westling
Rassiel,
Yes, certainly, time at the beginning of a class discussing instructor expectations, class standards, grading, assignments, etc. is important for students to understand in order to give them the greatest oipportunity for success. With the instructors prepardeness, it helps create the students prepardeness, if they so choose.
Barry Westling
Nelson ,
I used to begin my lab sessions with " oh, by the way, get busy!" It was attempt to insert a bit of humor but also the suggestion that lab was not just stand around time but the preceding preparation time was now to be used for skills development. I can't expect students to "get busy" if I haven't been given the necessary preparation to be productive.
Barry Westling
Being organized and prepared to teach is showing makes the students easy for them to learned, the students will have a positive attitude of listening and participate. And every time you teach, you will notice the excitement and interest coming to your class.
By establishing a set of classroom rules to guide the behavior of students at once. Discusing the rationale of these rules with the students to ensure they understand and see the need for each rule.
as mentioned in the module it shows respect. i think that is extremely important to be prepared for class. in my field, having two different types of classes (lectures and labs) being organized and prepare allows you to transition from one type of class to the other. students want to practice what the have learned and by being organized one can seriously help the student achieve those goals.
Ana,
Good points, Ana. You underscore the importance that good preparedness has and the impression (good or bad) instructors create depending on their degree of readiness and willingness to assist their students.
Barry Westling
As already mentioned, organization and preparedness not only reveals professionalism, but it's a way of showing respect to your students and class. You show that you care about individual student's goals, as well as class goals. You also show that you are dedicated. An unorganized or unprepared instructor may be viewed as someone who is not serious about the course he or she is teaching, and if the instructor is not serious, then why should the students take the class seriously?
Donna,
Good points. Really, I think instructors are under the microscope at all times. Students do sense irregularities, even small, subtle changes, and some may (mistakenly) take these moods or changes personally. To whatever degree this is true, it reinforces our need to be aware of how we present ourselves. Certainly if an instructor arrives less than fully prepared, students will notice. They may not say anything (unless it is habitual), but they notice.
Barry Westling
I find my students pick up on whether I am distracted on a particular day rather quickly. After all, they examine me daily and get to know my moods. One of the areas I try to work on for myself is to try to be focused and stay on point each and every day. Students will tell me if they notice anything.
Being prepared daily for lecture and lab is important so as to not appear disorganized. My slide notes are done ahead of time , as well as any handouts.
Steven,
Yes, we are role models of sorts. It's interesting students expect their instructors to be prepared (whether they are or not). So do our employers. But should an instructor come to class unprepared, students can be very unforgiving. Trust and respect in part, means being always ready to serve our students. Then, we receive that same trust and respect in return.
Barry Westling
I believe that it shows you care about the subject you are teaching. It is also showing your respect for the students because you have taken the time to prepare for class. It shows them that they are important.
We expect the students come to class prepared, so should I as an instructor.
Jenny,
Illness (or similar legitimate reasons for absences) are always a challenging scheduling event in college classes. Good planning by the instructor can help the individual called in to substitute. When daily lesson plans, handouts, PPT slides, worksheets, quizzes or tests are prepared in advance, it does make for a smoother experience for all, especially the students who usually grow accustomed to their own instructors ways, methods, and resources.
Barry Westling
Last week I was out sick one day. Thankfully I always have copies of my exams and handouts made in advance so one of the women in my department
who taught my class was able to find the papers easily and not have to prep for my class.
Melissa,
Yes, generally true. At times I have been very ready for class but had students who were not interested in the topic or even paying attenion. Thieir disinterest was shown by talking, looking at other material, and not participating. That was a total lack of respect. So, I surmise that if we are prepared we might get respect, but without being prepared we definetely wouldn't have the respect of our students.
Barry Westling
I think being prepared for class has to do with respect. It shows the students that you respect them when you show up prepared they, in turn will start to respect you back.
Eleanor,
I believe this is true for many students. When we are prepared, that includes being ready to handle situations for which students are not performing up to speed, are distracted or disinterested, unfocused. Being ready means "bring it on, I'm ready!".
Barry Westling
Set high expectations that you will deliver yourself as an organized, prepared, timely instructor for each and every class, students often have the tendency to comply and set same standards for themselves.
Karen,
I've always made it a priority to be in class at least 30 minutes before students. I write my daily quotation on the board, then my lesson outline. I like to be there to answer questions if students have them and enjoy just chatting if there are not questions. When class starts, all is ready with materials and resources set up. Students know now it's time to get down to business.
Barry Westling
