PLAN B
It is imperative to have a PLAN B readily available just in case PLAN A does not work. Engaging students in learning is not only beneficial to the students, but it shows the instructor that they are understanding the material that is being taught.
Carolyn,
Actually, the big PPT screen is in the way sometimes, and prevents me from using the whiteboard as much as I'd like to. PPT is probably way overused anyway.
Barry Westling
The exact same thing happened to me! The computer monitor was down and I was unable to present my powerpoint to the class. Plan B was to take out the textbooks and to outline my key points on the white board. What's old is new again...
Marilyn,
Right. I think a good plan-b should be as solid as the main plan-a, and could be easily subtitued for the regular planned activity, and the studenhts would not beven know there had been a change.
Barry Westling
Yes, it is beneficial to the students to cover topics in the most comprehensive manner. An instructor's plan B may be used to reinforce learning objectives.
William,
Great story. Our plans can get interrupted by so many factors, it's amazing that we can through the days and weeks without major difficulties. But as you've demonstrated, a back-up plan can be an effective method to stave off the frustration and wasted time that could occur if we we not prepared.
Barry Westling
Just recently I had the experience of having to use Plan B. The class was a computer class--hands on. The network was down which meant that the students were not going to be able to logon. It just so happened that that was the day that I was being evaluated. My Dept. Head said, what are you going to do? I said they have books! She was very impressed as we worked with the textbook and everyone participated. The old saying, "Never Let Them See You Sweat" is what Plan B is all about.
Hi Eleftherios,
Right! Another spin on this subject. If the staecher is always prepared with a Plan-B, and they have to initiate it for whatever reason, they can make that transition smoothly. To the student, they know no different and will assume the back-up plan was part of the original plan all along!
Barry Westling
I totally agree. I teach in an audio engineering school and sometimes technical difficulties will arise. In some ways I'm glad when this happens because in addition to teaching students certain techniques we also aim to prepare them to handle situations where Plan A fails in the studio. So when Plan A fails in the classroom, having a Plan B is actually beneficial in two ways.
One, because the class doesn't have to stop just because something went wrong. Two, because it shows, by example, how to keep a cool head in the face of change, and respond accordingly.
Hi Debra,
Back-up plans can be simple or elaborate. In either case, they are so valuable when they are called to action. Like getting a flat tire, and grabbing the spare (spare is like the back-up plan).
Barry Westling
Yes, I have seen the importance of Plan B. In my class I may not have internet connection one night. Or other things can go wrong. I try to have a backup plan.
Debra Touhey
Hi Victoria,
I think a Plan-B can also be used to experiment. Suppose we want to be brave and try something new. Maybe that Plan-B is the method to use, since it pertains perfectly to the current study. I have found many strategies and techniques by accident or unplanned, but they worked, so I've continued to incorporate them when applicable.
Barry Westling
Agreed and furthermore Plan B is almost always needed because no two classrooms are the same therefore student responses and abilities will be different so what works in one class may not work in the next.
Hi Demelece,
In a way, a Plan-B is really just a part of the regular curriculum, waiting to be implemmented if and as the need arises.
Barry Westling
