How to plan well...
How can we plan well?
I find that the more detailed and organized the lesson plan is, it becomes a direct reflection of how the class flows that day or for whatever the length of the lesson plan covers. I have had to learn this the hard way, but the more detailed and organized you are the more successful you will be and your teaching will look effortless to others. I think it also will be transferred to the students as an instructor who is prepared and in control.
My bottom line is always to prepare for each day as the "average" class would perform, but as was stated earlier, you need to be able to adjust. I often find myself scaling back when students are having trouble with a concept, but just as often having to unload a dumptruck of new activities for students that are advancing beyond my original expectations
Hi Neil,
I agree with your comments about lesson plans being guides but observant instructors will make alterations along the way which the need exists. This is essential for an instructor if he/she is going to keep student centered instruction as the number one goal.
Gary
I do agree that daily lesson plans are necessary regardless of what content you are teaching.
However, I also believe that the actual lesson plan isn't as important as is the ability to know when it is necessary to alter those lesson plans. Being able to stop and change on a dime how the content, or even what content, is being presented based on the feedback that you are seeing or hearing from the students is how you stay successful in the classroom.
Hi Margo,
Develop a check list of what you want to accomplish with your course content. Organize the content so it flows and then create daily lesson plans. In the lesson plans you can create and select the media you need, handouts to prepare, and lecture content. Planning is stepping back and looking at the big picture and developing ways to share content with your students in a way they can understand and use it.
Gary
