Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success
Why is early and comprehensive planning so important for instructional success?
I have been trying to utilize lecture and discussion but find it difficult to get the students involved in discussion. I will try adding a third component such as a video or pictures before the discussion section as well. Thank you for the suggestions.
Steve,
Right you are because as an expertise in the field you need to be current in both content and best practices. If you are then you are truly a learning leader for your students and will have their respect.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
For me, the syllabus, text book, and course objectives are given to me by the college. Early on it was easy to fall into a robotic delivery mode where I was just checking off objectives and not really engaging with my students or passing on real-world knowledge. One thing that helped me was actually being slightly less comprehensive in my planning, or perhaps put a better way, planning for the unexpected.
In an effort to engage my students I began setting aside a period of time each class for general discussions and Q&A. These discussions often strayed from the defined set of objectives but allowed for greater understanding and a better view of the bigger picture.
For example, in one class we had just discussed loop constructs and arrays in the C# language. One of the off-topic discussions was about how to use a loop to sort an array. This opened up into a discussion about different sorting algorithms and even data structures like lists and trees, and even efficiency of algorithms, topics that weren't in the objectives or even in the curriculum, but are none-the-less important knowledge for any aspiring young programmer.
Granted, there is a danger that such discussions could confuse some students who may be having trouble with the set objectives. Finding that balance between motivating the stronger students to explore greater possibilities while not overwhelming the weaker students is a delicate thing.
Some quotes I often think about go something like this: "To do good work tomorrow, do good work today" and "Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity". I'm not sure if these quotes are completely accurate, but they get the point across. It is impossible to deliver information successfully in a classroom without solid and thoughtful preparation.
I agree that a good book is the starting point and that handouts do help in bringing the content up to current standards. With that said I also feel that it is a must for the instructors to be able to relate the current standards in a way as to not overwhelm the students.
I use a variety of tootls in the classroom. I demonstrate skills, watch youtube videos, have students manipulate materials and use eachother as patients. I found that these methods help hit every learning style and the students only benefit.
Ellen,
Thank you for sharing this information with us. This is good advice for new instructors to receive as they will quickly learn that without preparation the class can start to fall apart immediately.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found out the hard way that if you aren't prepared, you will not have a successful class. As a new instructor with minimal guidance, I had to "wing it" a few times. It is uncomfortable for both instructor and students.
In the classes that I teach, the course outline is provided by the college. I have found that the best way to cover all the material in our prescribed time is to actually read the entire text. By doing this I can identify areas that are going to take very little time to go over and I usually just make some kind of handout with each chapter for this kind of information. The more challenging concepts I leave open and less structured so that I can spend as much time on them as I need within reason. This seems to work best for me.
It will help you teach more effectively and be able to make the most use of the allotted time of class. Preparing lectures, questions to ask students, handouts and visual aids will help the students with their leaning experience.
It will help you prepared to teach more effectively and make the most use of the allotted time of class. Preparing lectures, questions to ask students, handouts and visual aides will help the students with their leaning experience of the class.
Kat,
Good advice for other instructors to follow. Your planning approach gives comfort to you as you enter the classroom as well as giving you backup when you need to make an adjustment and go a different direction in the class that session.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Planning helps the me feel in control of the environment because I know that I am as prepared as I can be. Having a sense of control eliminates some of the fear of the unknown; i.e., what can potentially happen in a classroom! I find that my planning is most effective when I ask, What if... and have backup plans, especially for those areas in which I have less confidence or familiarity. I also find it helpful to literally "rehearse" parts of the lesson.
Kelly,
Like your comprehensive approach to preparation and professional development. This is how you live up to the motto and impact the lives of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I'm not a boy scout (or Girl Scout), but "be prepared" is always my motto when attempting to prepare for any class. Having an excellent grasp of the course content is essential. Utilizing the course materials provided by your institution is also important, but as printed text books can be 3-5 years "behind the times" in new developments in the medical field, I always try to utilize many different sources of information to my students.
As a member of professional organizations within my profession, I can utilize their cutting edge and most up to date information, studies, materials etc to further develop my course content as I an planning my classes.
Sherri,
Thank you for sharing your experience with instructional planning with us. I know these comments will be helpful to instructors, especially those that are just starting their teaching careers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When I prepare a comprehensive plan, I believe my students achieve better outcomes due to my preparation.
Faculty can benefit from working on their planning skills for the classroom.
The planning reawakens my depth of knowledge of the subject matter.
A teacher's attitude helps determine how the students engage with the classwork and the instructor. Comprehensive planning helps a teacher gain confidence and maintain a positive engaging attitude in the classroom. Planning and attitude are very much related. Yours, Ken Fisher
Nick,
So true. This is what being an educator is about. To do less is to short change your students and the results will be their education will not have the depth is should have.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
