Hi Kaytha:
One thing that's nice about back up plans is that they can be used , no matter what. What I mean is that they can be utilized as another way to review the material, while at the same time changing the energy of the learning environment and breaking up monotony.
Regards, Barry
My students have equipment bags I teach for my semster given to them in the previous semester. I tell them the very first day of class make sure you have your bags with you everyday because you never know when we might be doing a lab day besides what is stated on the syllabus. I also have mini worksheets for that classes i teach.
Hi Nancy:
Another thing back-up plans are great for are to use ANYWAY, regardless of need. In other words, use these items as a way to break up the energy in the classroom.
Regards, Barry
I always have plans a dvd or a fun active that can fill in if my plan is to short or some thing comes up and I have to change my plans for that lesson.
Since I teach a math class that focuses on cost control, I keep some bsic drill sheets ready for my students to work on in groups. They seem to enjoy the exchange with fellow and it re-enforces the skills we are working on. I move from group to group and answer whatever questions come up and re-enforce the good things they are discussing.
Hi Debbie:
Another thing back-up plans can be used for is to use them no matter what, just as a way to break up the energy of the class and try something new.
Regards, Barry
Hi Janet:
Great. Good back up plans can be implemmented both when what we need to do gets interruped, or circumstances beyond our control occur. Also, more time (or less) is sometimes required, so being able to adjust and the the session time meaningful is important.
Regards, Barry
as a chef instructor and having as many varied students I need to have more than plans a & c...
Hi Rickey:
Super! Combining a hands-on activity helps cement the theory portion of a lesson or skill. It also helps keep the attention and many times helps explain select concepts that are more difficult to grasp when discussed in a lecture or presentation.
Regards, Barry
I am an auto collision repair teacher. Our classes are part classroom and part shop. When the classroom gets boring we move to the simulated shop and apply what was taught in class with "hands on" techniques. To have success in the shop they soon realize how important the classroom part is. By manipulating back and forth, both become interesting.
Hi Herb:
It's a great idea to have back-up plans. Some instructors use these kind of tools no matter what, just as a way to break up the flow and energy in the class environment.
Regards, Barry
Having a backup plan is always a good way to show students and others that you are an accomplished professional and instructor. It is a good teaching tool because you can use your workaround without interfering your delivery.
I personally use all different types of redirection. Short video clips work well when available. I like to give them an assignment and then show the clip to see if they can relate to the topic. Then have a classroom discussion.
It is always a good idea to have a back-up plan. One that I use is demonstrations. Students can sometimes be overwelmed by lecture and a demonstration can reinforce material covered in lecture as well as keep student's interest.
Hi Patricia:
The general idea of back-up plans is to assist the instructor if they run out of time, find the class getting out of hand, etc. One consideration is to use back-up plans no matter what as a way to change up the energy of the class.
Regards, Barry
Hi Stacey:
Another thing these are great for are something to use NO MATTER WHAT, just as a means of changing up the energy of the learning envirionment.
Regards, Barry
Hi Donald:
In addition to promoting a spontaneous learning environment, we can use these back up plans no matter what, as a means to use as many teaching styles as possible.
Using back-up activities like this may be just the thing to get a point across to a student who isn't understanding course content from say, a lecture.
I try to either have a backup video, online laboratory activities, or role playing/negotiation exercises for my environmental issues class.
When developing a lesson plan, I use role plays and group discussions as both instructional aids and 'backups.' I find that this is also a powerful medium for knowledge sharing amongst the students, particularly if there is a marked difference of experience in the class.
David
Hi Dean:
That's a fun idea to play it safe. To add to that idea, one could also plan on stopping class (if appropriate) and use the back-up plans no matter what, just as a way to keep things interesting.
Regards, Barry
