Early planning prevents last minute grabbing and poor decision making that is many times obvious to students. Poor planning leads to student's lack of trust in the instructor and early comprehensive planning does the opposite. The instructor displays competence, organization, and knowledge, which sets the stage for student trust and desire to move forward academically and professionally.
Without planning one is not clear on their direction. If one is not clear on their direction, they may be turning in circles. If an instructor is not heading clearly toward a goal and is turning in circles, we can only expect the same for the students that we are guiding.
A successful instructor needs to plan early in order to be prepared for instruction. When one is completely prepared,they will then have the ability to add their own thoughts and opinions to the course content. Planning comprehensively will allow a thorough understanding of the class content.
To create structure for the students and instructor, as well as having a chanse to create the most effective coverage of the material in non rushed manner.
Hi David,
These are great reminders for instructors that teach the same courses over and over again. Thanks for sharing your strategies for keeping your delivery fresh and your excitement high.
Gary
I have taught several courses 50 or more times.
I find,when I am preparing for those courses it is very important to go over my notes from the previous course. I incorporate new thoughts, understandings, and techniques. The key in my mind to keeping a course fresh, is to tweek or clarify the presentation of course objectives from class to class.
Hi Ray,
Well said. Through good planning you will know what you want to do and when distractions occur you can overcome them and keep the course moving forward.
Gary
To be prepared for the lecture and this way the instructor can feel comfortable that he/she will not look stupid being unprepared.
Early comprehensive planning is important for instructional success on many levels. It has been my experience that the most visible and desirable result of instructional success in regard to the above, is positive flow of the course. By positive flow, I am referring to the overall fluidity with which the course moves along towards its end, and how it contributes to the students understanding and growth within the program. There is nothing that hurts the growth of students more, than constantly pausing to figure out where you are supposed to be in the course due to poor planning on the instructor's part.
Planning is important so you can fully focus on the class and not be worried about any last minute details that you forgot about. You do not want to be distracted when you are teaching the class.
Hi Sarah,
It is critical for instructional success. Poor preparation creates poor results. Instructors have to put forth the effort if they are going to expect the same from their students.
Gary
This should be done so you are completely prepared and will set a good example to the students.
Hi Dr. Rodenbaugh,
I am a big user of field trips in my classes so I support your comments about the value of taking them. Though I will say my field trips are not as exciting as yours.
Gary
Hi Dr. Rodenbaugh,
Good point about student challenges. They will challenge an instructor if they feel he/she is not bringing valuable content in a format that has value and is engaging. If we step into the classroom with everything in order and are ready to go the respect level increases significantly.
Gary
I have always heard and practiced measure twice, cut once. That is what comprehensive planning does.
I love taking my students to the cadaver lab at an area doctor's college. The students are skeptical at first, but love the experience and gain a great amount of knowledge. I find it more challenging with a 5-week accellerated course to schedule this learning field trip as the cadaver lab usually needs 3 months notice as they are booked that far in advance.
I also have found that "students give you less respect and pay less attention when you are unprepared" or finish your lesson plans early with no "plan B activity". I have also found students have a tendency to challenge your information more as to "who says", "what page is that on", etc.
There a many variables that come into delivery a course. Without giving them proper consideration, you can't expect to get professional results. You are a role model to the students. Proper preparation is a critical ingredient to being successful.
I believe early and comprehensive planning is important for instructional success because it give you as the instructor the ability to have options in your instruction method, adjust learning to fit certain needs of the particular class. Also, it aids in having the instruction to not seem off the cuff and well planned. The addage the if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail is very true, especially in instruction.
Comprehensive planning evolves preparing for instruction for the class. Based on the curriculum you can add material and information to be more prepared to teach the course more effectively. This includes having the classroom tools/equipment fully equipped and operational. In turn, this aids the instructor's ability to answer student questions, and feel more confident with the instructional process.
