If you want your students to be organized, then you need to also be organized. To prepare to teach a 4 hour class, it takes me 4 hours of preparation, even if I have taught the class before. Organization is not only walking in with your handouts and materials in order, but also knowing the content of what you will be presenting. Solve the problems before you do them in class or designate them for homework. This will prepare you to answer the student’s questions. The author of the text doesn’t always present the same way you do, so you need to create a bridge so the students can follow the text and your lecture. All of this involves organization before you begin your class.
Antonio,
Good example. Students expect preparedness and readdiness by their instructor, and as in your example, things just don't run as smoothly when we either fail to prepare or time to prepare is absent. That's where a good back up plan can come in handy, if appicable.
Barry Westling
I can account first handed the issues that developed when I walked into the classroom late. I once held a IT position in the same college I taught in. Most of the time, I had an half hour to get to my room and setup. But for those days that my scheduling ran over, it created a mess in one of classroom. My students took much longer to get them focused. This class had students from different career paths.
It was truly different with the medical billing software class. They just went ahead and worked on the classwork according to the syllabus.
David,
A prepared class adds so much more than one where the instructor is unorganized and has to scramble to get everything presented in a desirable way.
Barry Westling
because it shows the students what professionalism looks like and enables them to succeed.
David,
Great! Following this path with regularity will assure your students will never be deprived of one of their most valuable assets...you!.
Barry Westling
Shannon,
Great! Being organized is really simple, requiring a will, dedication and commitment to planning beforehand. From there, it's all downhill.
Barry Westling
I always make sure I am prepared by planning my week by the syllabus and having a back up plan if something doesn't go as planned.
I feel being organized sets a good example for the students as well as being prepared for class allows for more student centered time in the classroom.
Kimberly,
I agree,and therefore believe we need to all we can to be ready, organized and properly equipped to conduct each and every class thoroughly. The students perception of the instructors credibility can be formed by the degree to which the instructor is prepared.
Barry Westling
When an instructor is not organized and prepared the students get lost easily. The students also perceive disorganization as an instructor not knowing what they are doing. This becomes frustrating for students and they tend to not take the instructor seriously.
Gina,
Our credibility and student trust cannot be assumed. We have to earn those attributes, and being prepared is a major way to achieve that.
Barry Westling
Cheryl,
Students do emulate good behavior they see their instructor performing.
Barry Westling
Paul,
Time management is one of the most important reasons to be prepared. Usually a well prepared classwill adhere to time limitations, provide for better student engagement, and make for a more enjoyable class overall
Barry Westling
I believe it makes the class flow better which allows the students to concentrate and believe in your abilities.
Being organized an prepared sets an example for your students and also will help you manage your class better.
It is important for an instructor to organized and prepared for each class for the following reasons:
It shows the class that you care about their instruction
It shows that you are a professional
It allows for the maximum use of the allotted time for the class
Ricmanuel,
Students are more apt to trust and respect their instructor when they realize there has been significant and appropriate preparation preceding the class.
Barry Westling
Being prepared provides in a better teaching flow. Likewise it gives the teacher credibility of the subject discussed.
Mabelle Joy,
Very good. For me, I am not anxious and feel very calm when I feel prepared, and that conveys a smoother delivery, more complete and organized thoughts, and overall a better experience for my students.
Barry Westling
