Being Prepared at all times.
In the area of planning it is important to take into consideration everything that can go wrong in a class room and have a backup. Be prepared if your powerpoint projector doesn't work or if the video you just viewed doesn't work. Electricity goes out or bulbs burn out, speakers don't show or you take more or less time to go over a subject. Always think ahead. Always keep your calm and have a backup plan.
Hi Mark,
Tough situation. I don't have a clear cut solution to offer. What I would do is to bring my advisory committee in and make them aware of the situation. I would also put in writing a request to resolve the lab situation. The advisory committee might be able to bring some pressure to bear on your school since they want you to be training competitive professionals and broken equipment or wait time do not contribute to professional growth.
Gary
I find it difficult to prepare for a failure in our labs due to the fact our inventory is limited. If we have a failure in just one system, I may have students waiting in line for the next available trainer. During a testing period the students cannot move onto anything else while waiting. Any suggestions?
Hi Gina,
Good idea concerning having backup in case of a technology failure. At one time or another it will fail and we have to be prepared to carry on in spite of the problem. This is the sign of a good instructor.
Gary
Especially when using electronic equipment, I like to have a backup plan. I always have a couple of handouts to give the class in case the demonstration does not work out. Then I can give the students the handout and we can discuss it and do the worksheet that goes with it.
Gina Larson
Hi Annie,
You are right about the need for an alternate plan of instruction in case you have to be gone. The group work, research activity or a game competition for review will all work for keeping students engaged in the course even though the instructor may be gone for that day.
Gary
I like the idea of planning for the unexpected. For example, if an instructor is out of the office unexpectedly and a substitute is needed, the instructor should always have at least 1 lesson or activity that can be done in class, even if the substitue is not educated in the subject matter. Something along the lines of a mini research assignment involving the course subject matter is a good way to go.
Hi Deb,
Spoken like a true veteran educator. I seem to always be working on Plan B, since A never works out due to many of the things you listed in your forum response. As said good preparation keeps you from panic.
Gary
Excellent point, Deb. In a recent class, I had tested all three of my short videos prior to class. Of course, during the lecture, as soon as I played the first video, the entire computer crashed (it turns out I changed the screen resolution after I tested the video, which I think caused the crash). Fortunately, I had everything already loaded and open on a back-up computer in the classroom. I was up-and-running in about 30 seconds.
