People Don't Plan to Fail They Fail to Plan
When going on a road trip an itinerary or schedule of events is most necessary.
Hi Gary,
Good point and you are right about the lack of planning leading to the lack of ability when it comes to teaching. Instructors have to be prepared for their classes both in content and management.
Gary
I would further add that logistical planning to insure smooth and orderly presentation is essential. I find that a lack of planning always leads to failure in the classroom because the students perceive disorganization as a lack of ability to teach. And, actually, they are correct.
I absolutely agree! Without a plan or a map you have no idea of where you going or what to do when you get there. I also think you should have a plan b for your plan a!
Hi Penelope,
This is so true. We have all set through sessions that insulted us due to the lack of preparation. I find this true most often when I have to attend a session run by my college in the areas of compliance or some other government mandated training. The people presenting work hard at being boring, incompetent appearing, and scattered in their delivery. At times I wonder if keeping up my certificates are worth it. What is even more sad is that I need the information they are sharing but I can hardly sit through the sessions to get what I need. We need to use these types of presenters warnings of how we will never get in our classes.
Gary
Hi Katie,
Good point. Winging it almost always ends in some kind of problem because it is hard to anticipate the outcome. It is so much easier to go into the classroom/lab knowing you are ready to teach. Reduces your dependence on antacids for sure.
Gary
When you have a plan it is like a cooking recipe in that you follow it exactly, judge the outcome, quality, and time it took to prepare. From that analysis the instructor can better gauge the pace at which information is delivered and the sequence. All things considered it should help to improve teaching methodology.
Absolutley true; students do pick up on who's in the driver seat. It is most frustratiing when I am in a training session and I see unprofessional behaviour such as lack of planning. I find it disrespectful because if I am giving you my undivided attention in order to learn something new then have a little respect for my time by not wasting it. That would be a lasting impression that I have would have about that particular instructor and it would be hard to gain back my trust and respect.
I make sure that my course syllabus, as well as my comments and e-mails to the class, list important objectives, due dates, and other necessary information so that students are always in the know. By showing students that we are on top of things, it provides them with a view of our professionalism, and hopefully pushes them toward being more professional in their endeavors in class as well.
This is exactly true! Planning is essential in teaching. I admit that I have attempted to begin a class and decide that I was going to "wing-it"! Not a good idea! Classroom activities should be planned and some thought should be put into your classroom activities. Students are sharp enough to know when an instructor has not prepared well for class and sometimes this causes students to loose interest sometimes.
Poor planning is a definite plan for failure in any class. I plan ahead and improve or try to improve with each quarter.
I also agree - by providing clear objectives, deadlines and rubrics, we can aid in teaching students how to meet deadlines and enhance their ability to succeed
Your statement is so very true. Students' learning is negatively affected by poor planning on behalf of the instructor. A syllabus, course outline, lesson plans, and daily published objectives are all necessary in communicating the plans and intents for learning to take place.
