By using a variety of instructional materials, I can alleviate any 'gaps' in classes. One never knows for instance, in a kitchen lab-if the requisite food product will arrive on time -or in the acceptable quality . Or, if there is an issue with the assigned classroom and one's class is reassigned to another room without working media. "No matter how far you drive, always have a spare"
If I find that the lecture has gone faster than I expected,I like to have past lectures with me. I have marked in red areas students struggled with. They are very attentive when I do this because they understand that I consider this material important.
Jeanine,
We want to plan for the worst, so plans need to be low-tech (not requiring anything electrical or computerized). Activities that can done with minimal preparation, and implemented quickly are good too. Finally, topics related to the subject matter must be a part of it. Among things I think work well are small group discussions, share-pair, student-led class presentation, course review, reading assignments with a written summary assignment, and competition-like games (i.e. Jeopardy-style) that require students to challenge each other with course material. Just a few thoughts to get you thinking what would work best for you.
Barry Westling
I'm a new instructor and could use some ideas to use as a backup. I teach several different courses, so having a type of resource available that I could adjust to course content would be great. I need some direction on just where to get started.
Leon,
Great! Q&A is always a great way to use available time, for review, to check for understanding, to prepare for assessment, to stimulate critical thinking, or just summarize the day's activities.
Barry Westling
Go through several texbooks on the same subject and use the tips from various authors on presenting each topic.
Have short Q&A reviews planned during the lecture.
Perus the Web for current related events that relate to the topic for ice-breakers or to spur discussion.
Leon Guendoo
Paul,
Great! Like an orchestra leader, instructors conduct class to the tempo and pace at the time of delivery. Two classes will probably never be presented exactly the same way. Instructors need to be in tune with what works best, and to be flexible enough to make on the spot changes to the plan.
Barry Westling
Sandhya,
Some plans can be both plan a's, depending on the time and availability of resources. An analogy to cooking, sometimes it's nice to vary the receipe just to see how good it tates made a different way, or just to add variety.
Barry Westling
Melvin,
Back up plans can also be specific to certain topics so that if plan a isn't possible for whatever reason, a very suitable plan b is ready to be substituted (sometimes, with the students even noticing).
Barry Westling
This can be important things go wrong, as they often do, such as equipment breakdowns, lack of time,etc. But if you are prepared, there are other ways to present the material. Instead of a video, maybe you could use the whiteboard to show the same material. You may even find that some students respond better to this delivery, because they can ask questions in the middle of the lesson. something that is hard to do in the middle of a video.
Yes, a back-up plan should never be intended to just fill in time. It should support the lessons taught in class, clarifying points made in lecture. Back-up plans can be used as great adjunct to help re-enforce major points to be learned and applied, adding to the ultimate success of the student.
I am teaching approximately 1 year and this was a common problem for me. I have since developed a plan to be prepaired two weeks ahead. Then if student pick the material up quickly I will have plenty of material to cover.
Sandhya,
Sounds great. A good back up plan is one that, when implemented, the students might not even know was not a part of the regularly planned activities. Good back-up plans are easy to implement, directly related to the topic, low tech, interesting, and engage students. Students don't want to feel like their instructor is just filling time (and that should never be the instructors motive anyway).
Barry Westling
Many times after lecture I have used games like Jeopardy to help learn drug names and classification, divided the class into small groups to handle medical emergency scenarios that may occur in the office. I have also divided the class into small groups and have them lecture or conduct demonstrations on various topics to the class (after I have done the preliminary lecture or demonstration). This allows me to assess their level of understanding of the material. Other times I have let them present it to the class first and I add to it by providing examples.
Melissa,
Great suggestions for all to consider. I think a good back up plan is one that is capable of being substituted for the planned activity and the students would not even know the difference. Low tech, easy and quick to implement, interesting, and relative to the course of study - these would be elements every back-up plan incorporates, as we don't want students to feel like they're just filling time.
Barry Westling
When using technology and multimedia, I have plan b and c. Technology is great, but when it fails it can make an instructor sweat if a backup plan is not in place. If an instructor tests the equipment beforehand then this will eliminate many of the problems; but when the bulb goes out on your LED and you planned on centering your class time on a PowerPoint, well this cannot be fixed immediately. Hence, a contingency plan is needed.
I use PowerPoint quite often. Unfortunately, my work PC often stalls and/or acts strangely; therefore, I bring my IPAD daily. It also serves as a backup in case my computer crashes and I lose all my data - yes that did happen to me. Luckily, I had my IPAD and my jump drives to back up all my materials for all of the courses I have ever taught, as well as my yearly reviews, etc. One more piece of advice, back them up constantly because you develop and add more material than you probably realize. At least that is what I learned.
Melissa
Debbie Kay Kirkland,
Many will use Jeopardy style competitions among separated groups. Interestingly, adults will participate in and enjoy games that are related to their studies.
Barry Westling
Instructors have suggested adding games as backup plans. I am very interested in this as a means of adding interest to a discussion. But, how does one incorporate games for adults without appearing to be "silly".
Sherri ,
A good back up plan should be as effective as the regularly planned activity, such that if it needs to be implemented, the students would not even know it was not what the instructor had planned all along.
Barry Westling
I use different things as instructional backup plans because you never know what works best for each student. I use games, I use flash cards, I use hands on, I use the book to where I get with the student and actually show them place(s) in the book where they can find the information. This seems to be working very well for me.
