Back up plan
Back up plans are necessary because of adjustments in content to adapt to learners. When an unanticipated need arises we still need to cover the content.
Cheryl,
Yes, a major purpose of a back up plans is to use in the event of unexpected delays, interruptions, or other times when what was planned cannot be carried out. I keep mine simple, low (non) tech, pertinent for the course, and easy to implement on short notice.
Barry Westling
A back up plan is a very good idea. I have used games and case studies as back up plans in the past.Once I had to have the students do a case study while the audio visual equipment was being worked on in the classroom. I was really glad that I had something else for the students to do during that unexpected event.
Marcella,
Yes, these days you never know what is going to interrupt a class, or when one will need to spend more or less time on a subject. That's when a good back-up plan is worth it's weight in gold.
Barry Westling
I think its always best to have a plan B. Especially when that plan is hands on and includes the whole class participation. I think its very important to have simple alternatives to just lecture alone.
Darlene,
Good example for the importance of both back up plans and other activities that students can do when time allows.
Barry Westling
I used to work as a substitute teacher, and one of my main problems occurred when the teacher didn't leave enough for the students to do! The students would get an activity such as a worksheet, finish it quickly, then have nothing to do, which caused them to goof or be disruptives. It's always better to have too much for them to do, than too little.
Eunita,
There's an old saying "failing to plan is planning to fail". Don't know if that'e entirely accurate, but I do know that things go different than planned often enough that having good back up activities can be life savers and avoid wasting a lot of time.
Barry Westling
Plan B - the instructor should always have to plan B. Unexpected thing can and will come up at one time or another. This way you class can continue to flow and make you seem unprepared.
Felix,
A good back up plan is worth it's weight in gold. I have made good back-up plans that ultimately became usable in my mainstream topic discussion. "Failing to plan is planning to fail".
Barry Westling
Back up plan is importsan as they can help the instructor be more prepared for the unexpected situations i.e. projector melfunction or misconceptions
Jack,
Right. Sometimes circumstances (technical, physical, human) occur that are beyond our control. On the other hand, sometimes we need to modify our plans to accomodate student needs. A good back up plan provides for smooth transitions so as to make for the least amount of distraction and/or interruption in student focus.
Barry Westling
