Students respect an organized and prepared instructor. I strive to be organized and prepared and have heard the good comments and contrasted against other instructors who are not. With 30 years of experience in the field before I became an instructor, I have kept many artifacts that are used in the classroom to assist with being prepared and applying something the students can touch and feel that they can take from lecture and apply to the real world experience.
Steven,
You're right, it really takes little to show we care and to prepare. On the same hand it takes little to discourage students from taking their studies seriously if their instructor shows less than being ready for classes consistently.
Barry Westling
Deb,
Yeah, it's hard for students to always track with an instructor who is all over the place. How much cleaner and smooth when a clear-cut, organized lecture or discussion occurs.
Barry Westling
Students feed off their instructor and their actions. Giving the vibe or being un-organized and showing up last mintue shows that you do not care. Students recognize that and it sets the wrong tone for the term. Be on time and organize yourself and that will let your students know the tight ship you run and everything will run much smoother.
I feel my students will have more confidence in my instructing abilities.
If I am not prepared I jump to different subjects and I confuse my students. when I am organized I feel better prepared. When I am prepared I feel like I deliver my material in an organized fashion.
Being organized and prepared helps me facilitate learning, and helps me deliver important items necessary for future employment.
Paulette,
I agree students can sense when their teacher is less than fully prepared. I think it can also add unneeded stress and angst for both instructor and student alike. We should minimize distractions and be ready to give our full attention.
Barry Westling
It is true that student knows when a teacher is not fully prepare. Because they stray from the topic and cannot articulate well what they are trying to say. Therefore preparation is the key or they should stick to the glossary for explaining the topic or subject area.
April,
I'll let technical support about the word omission in the question. And you're right about how students respond to us as educators. Comepotence and confidence add cedibility to our role as facilitator/instructor/helper in the quest of goals and aspirations adult learners have for their future.
Barry Westling
Sir:
There is a grammar mistake in the question.
If one assumes a position of authority, most people wish that authority be prepared to impart and/or demonstrate the skill set learners will need to become knowledgable in their chosen profession.
Elizabeth,
Good point. We need to be both knowledgeable and flexible in our preparation so that when "whatever" happens, we can be free to modify and adjust, hopefully with little disruption to the regular flow.
Barry Westling
When you are organized and prepared, you are able to navigate through the material as well as engage the students. So often something is brought up by the students that requires the instructor to deconstruct the course material and make it relatable to the students lives. This is one way to achieve " ownership" of the material, by the students.
Julia,
Yes, I think there is always less stress in the atmosphere when good preparation has preceded daily classes. Students expect their instructor to be ready, it's part of our job, and we set a better example by being prepared.
Barry Westling
So that the students can feel relaxed and less stressed about the course by seeing that the instructor is relaxed (because they are prepared). This will create a positive and productive learning environment.
Justian,
Right. Preparedness creates calm; unpreparedness produces calamity.
Barry Westling
Michael,
Very true. I can say that I know and have seen very dedicated professional educators who where often not prepared (fully) for clas, the type that would always be hurrying about at the last minute, making copies, gathering materials, shuffling papers. What is bad is the students would tell me they felt like it would be an imposition to ask a question before class or try to clarify something because they could tell the instructor was busy and didn't have time for them. How much better when everything is readied beforehand, the instructor waiting for students to arrive, greet them, and ask if there are questions.
Barry Westling
I found that if you are prepared for class prior to students entering, that it seems to make the rest of the class flow smoothly. It seems to put the students at ease knowing that their instuctor has his or herself prepared and in order.
A well trained instructor grabs the attention of the student by being organized, which shows professionalizm, and prepared so the student knows that the instructor knows his subject very well and that the students time will not be wasted. Student expect a lot from the instructors a organization and preparedness shows dedication.
Ted,
Sounds like you've "been through it all". Responsible students will usually yield to the first or follow up suggestion their behavior is out of line. One on one visits after class may be needed. I have students sign a document, much like a contract that states my expectations, consequences for further occurrences, and the student's acknowledgement. Of course, they usually don't like this, but I rest in it's not me, but the student who is out of order.
Barry Westling
I have found that if I am not fully prepared to lead the class through the day's material, it can and has devolved into a chaotic, noisy mess that takes a lot more time and energy to overcome. My students are a glorious mix of generations, cultures, and attitudes towards learning. This is often quite challenging to reach everyone and ensure that there is learning going on without the younger ones becoming bored and making a wild attempt to turn it into a social time. I have been forced to have "Come to Jesus" meetings with a handful of students to realign their focus and stay on task. I would be grateful for any tips or suggestions on how to combat this unprofessional attitude that seems to be so prevalent in many of the younger generation.
Ted
Angie,
Yes, and I've found a good way to demonstrate readiness is to begin with a story, a situation (real or hypothetical), or some past circumstance (good or bad) that relates to the work setting they're preparing for, and is associated with the lesson. This creates interest, captures attention, and works best when the instructor is prepared to fill in the rest of the lesson.
Barry Westling
