Daily Preparation
It is important for the instructor to be on top of his/her game everyday. It is the educator's responsibility to provide the learning contracted with the student all the time.
Hi Ron,
Good point. I have been teaching the same courses now for a number of years and I like you still have homework so I can be at the top of my game each time I take students through a course. It is the least we can do as professionals.
Gary
I remember back when I was in school and I could tell when an instructor was well prepared and when he was just flying by the seat of his pants. I never want to be that guy. I've been teaching now for 14 years and I still have homework!!
I agree because it is so easy to get stuck in a routine and almost become a robot...I feel that every instructor needs to take every day as a brand new one and ask themselves "am I doing the best possible job I can be?"
Hi Marcia,
Good point about being at the level of the current group of students. They do change each time don't they. It is fun to get a new group in and then try to identify just what is the best way to get them hooked into the course.
Gary
I agree. Even if we have taught the class before, there are new materials to bring to the class, the students are different than the previous class, therefore the learning environment is different. It is important for me to remember the level of KSA's the students have. When I teach a ligher level class one quarter and then come into a new quarter teaching a lower level class, it is VITAL that I be on top of my game daily. Otherwise I could underteach and not give the students the basics, or the "trunk of the tree" as we learned earlier in this class.
I find that quote to be fitting in teaching and in life in general. I will add it to my quote of the day for my class.
Hi Nicholas,
I like the quote you used. It is very accurate and applies to all aspects of our lives.
Gary
I agree. Preparedness is key. A well-developed lesson plan and a precise delivery of lecture and demonstration speak volumes. Someone once told me, "what one does without dedication is diminished by half." We owe this to our students on a daily basis.
