preparedness
you have to be prepared everyday from class, if not it sets an bad example for the entire class.
Hi Kim:
The problem with consistent disorganization from an instructor is the potential loss of credibility with the students, and the message it may send, which is “I’m not concerned enough about your learning to be organized for youâ€.
Regards, Barry
Hi Rosetta:
We've all had instructors that were disorganized. No matter how much we may have like those instructors, it only serves as a distraction and impacts the student's ability to learn effectively.
Regards, Barry
I work very hard to be prepared, but working a full-time job during the day and teaching at night can be a bit much. I like to start my lesson plans for the following week right after the class is over that way ideas are fresh in my head. Then I dabble at it during the week until I'm finished.
I make it a point to really be prepared for class. I have my lesson plan all thought out, typed out and given out as a handout as well as put on white board. When I was in school I went to night class and all of the instructors had regular day jobs and they all appeared to be toally unprepared for teaching in the evening. I will not put any of my students through teaching your self as I had to do.
Hi Lauren:
We can and are expected to be role models. Preparation is one obvious example. Preparedness demonstrates readiness, which has been preceded by thought, planning, time, effort, and a plan to achieve the daily or course objectives.
When students see the teacher working to help them, that generates a degree of trust and respect, which is a great way to be a role model.
Regards, Barry
If your not prepared for class how can you expect your students to be. Instructors should be positive role models.
Hi Richard:
Yes, students do expect, at the very least, that their teacher will be prepared. They might not be prepared, or they may not like the subject matter, but nonetheless, the teacher is an example of professional educator to these students (who pay our salaries).
Regards, Barry
I believe that the students feel they get more value for their money when the instructor is prepared, organized and ready to teach. Remember these students chose you school above all others and so they have an expectation of perceived value. If the instructor is not prepared students feel "Ripped off".
Hi Lisa:
Students do notice the degree of preparedness of a teacher.
Walking into a classroom, being greeted by name, casually chatting with the student or asking if they have any questions, then when class begins, having all the resources prepared, topics flowing smoothly, and the environment calm and relaxed - that's a prepared class and an organized teacher that made that happen (it sure didn't happen by itself!).
Regards, Barry
Students will quickly notice if the instructor is not prepared for class. I think it lowers their morale to know they have come to class ready to work and the person in charge of class is not ready. Being prepared will also help the instructor progress through the class and use instructional time to focus on the students and not on trying to figure out what to do next.
Hi Hannah:
You are right. Prepared and being organized is an expectation all good instructors should be ready for.
Organizing includes thought, time, effort, and planning. Preparation includes getting the resources, media choices, teaching aids, handout/copies, worksheets, exercises, all the items that'll be needed for a class.
When a teacher is prepared, the class runs smoothly, the students are less angst, transitions from topic to topic are delivered in a timely and sequential manner, and everyone is relaxed. That makes for a better learning environment and students will notice and appreciate the priority the teacher has placed on getting the class ready.
Regards, Barry
From a student's perspective there is nothing more irritating than a teacher that is not prepared, especially if tuition has been paid for the class.
As an instructor, I feel it is very important to come to class early and be prepared because we are setting the example to them regarding acceptable, professional behaviors, and should be helping them to create positive habits that will help them succeed not only in the classroom, but out in the real world as well.
Hi Kathryn:
Being prepared is a requirement for good teachers, and takes a discipline to do at least the minimum preapration in order to provide adequate instruction to our students.
Being prepared means being ready with all the notes, resourses, teaching aids, amd materials to teach the class fully and thoroughly.
Fumbly around, organizinng disheveled papers, appearing distracted looking at notes or seeking a handout, and a gazillion other possibilities - all these merely demonstrate to the class how unprepared (or underprepared) the teacher is. Not a good role model indeed.
Regards, Barry
There are two days during the 12 years of teaching that I was not prepared for class. Those 2 days were nightmares! For some reason I thought I could go in and "wing it". The first time it happened I said never again. But, obviously it did happen again. But it never happened after that. It's almost like you have to do it to experience it, so you won't do it again--like putting your hand on a hot burner on a stove to see if it's on. ( I did that when I was 10 yrs. old. I was too embarrassed to tell anyone, but I never did it again. I guess the moral of the story is you (and your students) get burned when you are not prepared!
Hi André:
Good teachers prepare; it's acharacteristic of peronal integrity and respect for both the student and the topic.
Regards, Barry
