What are some methods you use to develop backup plans for delivery instruction to your students?
I also relate the information to outside subjects, such as movies, tv, or my own experiences. The students respond most of the time with their own experiences and it really changes the pace.
Hi Leonard:
You've got a good grasp of your students and the dynamics of the kind of classes you teach. Like smaller portions, delivering material in segments seems to make a lot of sense.
Regards, Barry
On the first day of class in every class I say the these words, "The more organized you are, the quicker we progress through the material, the more time I will have to teach you, the more we can cover." This incentive to the students leaves me no option but to have backup plan - every day, every course.
Most of my students are non-traditional who are paying for their education themselves. The price/value ratio of their education is directly related to the quantity/quality ratio of the material presented in class.
Back ups take many forms and the more diverse they are the more students will engage. One more lecture on theory at the end of class is not always the best idea. A game or competition using their newly aquired skills is always fun. I may divide the class up into two teams and play a Jeopardy style game with the new material.
or a Wheel of Fortune game on glossary terms?
Since we are a culinary school I will often take a look at the many Reality / competition shows and create a Top Chef/ Iron Chef style practical competion.
One practice I have started is to organize my Power Points and Lectures into smaller blocks by Subject and not by Class Day therby giving me the flexibilty of presenting information earlier or later depending on the needs and interests of the students.
Lastly, listening to the students and using their own personal interests drive specific emergent material is the easiest way to engage a class. I have yet to have class that didn't want more information in one area or another. If you engage them, they will engage you.
Hi Megan:
Great. There are`times when nothing seems to go right, or isn't available, or parts missing, etc. Having someting you can use easily should help.
Regards, Barry
Hi Donna:
Good. Back up plans are soooo handy because you never know when you're going to have use one - then, the teacher will be glad they have something to use that's meaningful and productive to the class.
Regards, Barry
Hi Keith:
Good idea. Hands on to supplement theory helps cement the concepts you're trying to teach.
Regards, Barry
I always have a back up plan b/c what if the power point does not work or the class does not get the information.
Addressing objectives in the beginninng so the students are aware of what is expected of them.
You can assess the audience and determine which mode of delivery you should use.
Games are always a great way to introduce new info. I usually use this method to change up delivery and keep boredom low.
Some backup plans that I use for delivery instruction are creating games. I like using the jeopardy model to test retention of info but also it makes it fun because they like the sense of competition.
I make sure to have some back up lesson plans or back up skills that they can do.
Most of our instructing for classroom presentation is done with power-points. I like to use hand outs that explain areas where some information is lacking. I think the best method is telling the students how things work in the most simplistic manner with a lot of visual and then taking them back into the lab and then showing them it on a static or live display.
Hi Hope:
Great idea. Group discussions are a great activity to use whether its planned for the day or used as a back-up plan. Students get engaged, they participate, they think and voice their opinion - all good traits of effective learning.
Regards, Barry
I always have questions available to discuss in the event we have to deviate from the regular course.
I break the students into small groups and we discuss the answers the groups come up with.
Hi Betsy:
Good! I like the idea of additional worksheets. The Family Feud idea is wonderful!
Regards, Barry
One of the methods I use as a backup is to have worksheets with additional problems for students to work on, in the event that the class needs more time on a concept we are learning.
I also use a "family feud" team concept to work on definitions of key terms in chapter where the content is fairly heavy. The students are given a list of terms, time to prepare, and then the "feud" begins.
Both these methods work well, when needed, in the Cost class that I teach.
I am working on more creative backup plans for the Wine class that I teach. This is a "content rich" course, taught in an intensive 3 week time period, and this module has given me some ideas in which to improve some of my delivery.
Hi Charlin:
I agree that over time, your collections of student feedback should provide you with ideas for activities to use in the classroom, especially for times when what you've planned cannot be accomplished for whatever reason.
Regards, Barry
getting student feed back helps tailor to each classes needs.
Hi James:
It's great when an instructor has a wealth of resources to vary throughout their course, as you obviously do. Regardless, it is true we want to avoid having lessons that are boring to students.
Regards, Barry
I use PowerPoint, websites, webquests, subjective analysis, crossword puzzles, guest speakers, field trips and lectures. I always have a variety of resources prepared on the topics and though I don't really consider them a backup, they certainly could be used for that purpose. i have very strong believes that thought every class has a general state of operation they also have good and bad days, as do instructors. I guage the state of my class and then chose whatever material I feel fits their state. All the material will work seamlessly with alternate lesson plans. It amkes it a little more labor intensive to keep this material updated but the outsomes are usually positive in the learning processes for the students and they do not get bored with this diversity.
