I document lesson plans so that I can have a structure already in place that can be modified for future lesson plans.
Cut and paste is a beautiful thing.
Cynthia,
I agree. In addition, documented lesson plans are generally presented to accreditors, to serve as evidence for a multitidue of criteria areas.
Tremayne Simpson
Documenting lessons plans is a saving grace in several ways. I provide a copy to my administrator so she is not only aware of how I'm running my class, but should the need arise to have a substitute step in to cover for me. I also keep a copy on my computer just for past and present knowledge and what and how I've instructed different classes. If I should ever have to step back in to a certain class, I'll have a starting point which can save vast amounts of time and prep. Also, I can easily tweak things on the computer should the need arise. I also keep a hard copy in my "working class binder" should something happen in class that throws our time off, I'm able to glance at my lesson plan and get right back on track.
Timothy,
Unfortunately, this is usually an "underrated" idea, however "getting off topic" is a common issue for most instructors. It is very easy to digress from the current lecture topic, however an instructor can take a "tangent journey" and have trouble finding their way back to the lesson. Structured plans can limit the "tangent journeys" that may occur.
Tremayne Simpson
In addition to all the fine rationales stated here, documenting a daily lession plan helps control the tendency I have to get off topic. So the plan works for me as well as my students.
Documenting Your Lesson Plans: When I was Marine Corps dive instructor I found it very important to keep my lesson plan up to date, the environment in which we instructed was for every changing and so I found it important to keep my lesson plan updated, so that if the commander of the school house every wanted to see my lesson plan he would know that I was update with all the new changes in the dive tables and content.
v/r
Ron
Cindy,
I agree. Organization is a necessary attribute, for establishing credibility with your students. Students will question an instructor that is disorganized and not prepared to deliver the course learning objectives.
Tremayne Simpson
This is my second year as an instructor and I learned very quickly my first year that a lesson plan that is up to date and complete is invaluable. It keeps me organized, helps me to feel and be prepared and I felt more in control of the classroom.
There are several good reasons to document your lesson plans.
1. It helps to keep you organized and prepared
2. When you ever teach the course again you can review them and think about what worked and what did not work. Then you can modify them accordingly. In this way you are continually making your plans more effective
3. If someone has to teach a class for you, well prepared lesson plans will help them to fill in for you. It will also make them want to help you out at a future date. No one wants to cover for someone who leaves them with poor or no lesson plans.
4. Compliance. Lesson plans can provide evidence that standards and procedures were followed.
I am sure that there are many more good reasons to document lesson plans.
If the administration office lost your lesson plan that was submitted before your vacation you are able to email it to them for the substitute Instructor.
For me a lesson plan is a framework and a road map. A lesson plan is the “big picture†but includes detailed information for each activity Documenting all these activities very important not only for my everyday teaching but for my colleagues and students as well.
It is extremely important to document your lesson plans so that you have them to reference back to them for future reference,and sub teachers.
Amjad,
Is the course syllabus 7-8 pages or is this just the lesson plans for the class?
Tremayne Simpson
This was my first time teaching and going through and thoroughly taking notes and organizing my lessons plans helped me stay focused, on task, and on point in the classroom. I also feel this will be helpful for me on my next round of teaching this class. It can only get better!!!
Lesson Plans require time and planning but are of great benefit for me. I am able to manage my time and keep on track when teaching the course. The lesson plans that our Institution requires are about 7-8 pages long. I have noted that students tend to read only the schedule for tests and assignments and skim over the rest.
Arthur,
Excellent point. For instructors that have a heavy teaching load, it is very important to have documented lesson plans, even if they are used to simply "keep pace" with the class sessions.
Tremayne Simpson
Arthur,
Excellent point. For instructors that have a heavy teaching load, it is very important to have documented lesson plans, even if they are used to simply "keep pace" with the class sessions.
Tremayne Simpson
I document my lesson plans for all the reasons listed in this section and because I teach up to 5 courses per term sometimes 2 and 3 at the same time it helps me to stay on track.
I didn't even think of the value of the detailed lesson plan for absent students to use them later. Let's add that to my list.
It is important to document the lesson plans for a few reasons. First, it is an organized template for the plan of the lesson in written form. This allows the instructor to use it time and again, and to make necessary changes from it. It can also come in handy for a substitute teacher, and perhaps the school's administration would like to see it. The written plan is documented proof of an attempt to organize the lecture content.
