So that you are prepared. Its how we as instructors help our students achieve the objectives of the course.
One good concept comes to mind with planning for instructional success; that being to plan ahead. In planning it is important to have core activities but also allow room for change and spontaniety. Although activities are planned in advance a student centered focus will encourage enriching activities to include those that promote engagement and the opportunity for students to draw from experiences. Flexibilty is welcomed.
it helps you get everything ready and when you go to class you will be well prepared and students like that in instructors i work on class material a week before it starts so i can be prepared
Early and Comprehensive planning is important for instructional success because if you plan ahead and make planning easy to understand than the the more focus you are and if you can comprehend your lesson plan than the student can too. Being prepare for class make you look professional and organize. Following through with your instruction plans and making it attainable makes the job more at ease, so that you can focus on running the class smoothly and bring more of yourself to the class.
Ideally, planning allows instructors to be better prepared. When employing instructional strategies teachers must work smarter rather than harder. Thus, early and comprehensive planning is not only an integral part of classroom management but also an opportunity to be ahead and in the position to concentrate on other important areas of facilitation. These efforts are as well to supporting achievement.
Hi Andrea,
Well said about the need for preparation and planning. I have been in the copy room at my school and observed faculty in a panic mode running copies two minutes before class hoping the copier doesn't break down or they will have nothing to teach. Life is too short to be under that kind of pressure. I like to be in my classroom greeting and talking with students before class so I can get a feel for where they are coming from that day and not be in the copy room sweating bullets over handouts.
Gary
Comprehensive and early planning is important for instructional success because it prepares the teacher. Being ready to help students with information is key and with planning ahead I would be able to make sure I had enough resources and supplies to do the activities and modules planned. It also wastes time in the classroom when students are waiting for the teacher to find things or look for specific information. This should all be mapped out prior to avoid these pit falls.
NOT planning ahead or having a comprehensive plan in place sends a negative message to the student. It tells the student that the teacher did not value their time or the lesson at hand. Being prepared for lessons shows the students that you not only care about them as learners but that you value the information enough to have prepared it for them.
instruction, whether classroom or lab experience, should never be by the seat of ones pants! Lessons delivered without pre-planning, goal setting or clear and concise expectations is deadly to subsequent instructor - student relations. Students may not know many things but they can spot a disorganized and unprepared instructor a mile away.
Waiting till the last minute to do anything is a plan for disaster. More thank likely you will forget something importnat that needs to be done, have on hand or mentioned. Preparation of your course will allow you to do the rresearch that you need to have done. If you have taught the course before, it the material current? Retired? Best doen another way? etc? Are there better ways that you can get the point across, videos, guest lecturers etc. Did the order make sense before? Does it need to be changed? Did you find concepts easier in some areas and other in others? Do you need more time for mastery? Less time? etc.If you have never taught the course before all of the above questions and more need to be answered so that you as the instructor are not stressed out and inturn appear not prepared, disorganized etc. Planning ahead is the key to a successful course for both you and the students.
Hi Sarah,
Good point. You can feel confident when you enter the classroom because of the time and effort you have invested in planning.
Gary
Hi Kimberly,
Good approach. This method also sets you at ease as you enter the classroom because you know you know what you know as well as knowing you can deliver the content well.
Gary
Comprehensive planning lets you evaluate all the components of a course and be sure that everything you do helps students meet the objectives of the course. Without planning, slipping into a need to "fill time" or even just "cover the material" is easy, but loses emphasis on the course goals.
I believe that early planning is impotant for a number of reasons. As an instructor I review the material numerous times to understand it well enough to explain it. By planning my lessons I will not forget any details.
Hi Cheryl,
Wow, what a great example of preparing for class. Your description of all the elements of attending a gala of this kind is what we need to think about when preparing for our courses. The key is making sure we have done all we can to make it a class that will be informative and engaging just as the gala should be.
Thanks for the helping instructors to see the value of preparation on all levels from the content to the syllabus.
Gary
Hi Cynthia,
Good point and a miserable place to be. If you have not prepared for class it is going to be a looooooong class session for everyone. You are right about the road map because everyone is trying to ride a bicycle down the middle of an Interstate with not idea where they are going. The result is somebody is going to go off course and meet with disaster. Learning is to valuable to let that happen.
Gary
Let us pretend we have been invited to a New Year’s Eve gala. What are our expectations of the event? To arrive to the party via a stretch Lincoln Town car…dressed in our finest array…greeted by tuxedo-wearing doormen…enter the party to sounds of an upbeat and inviting band…smell delectable foods and fragrant flowers…to become totally immersed in the atmosphere and have the time of our lives.
To enjoy these expectations what was required in advance? A well thought out and organized plan by someone whose idea became a tangible vision. In this scenario: it probably required an advanced project management team rather than an individual.
Instructors who prepare quality course action plans, similar to the above agenda, will glean the rewards of daily preparedness, actively engaged students, and ultimately—erudite graduates. In higher education this means starting with a quality-based syllabus.
Early and comprehensive planning is important for many reason. One the instructor will be ready on the first day of class. It helps give the instructor confidence in what they are teaching. Showing that you, as the instructor are prepared will hopefully impress the same upon your students. Planning will also help cut out the surprises in the course content that may throw off the lesson plan.
If you start a class without any planning or preparation you have "no roadmap" and most likely you will not be a successful instrutor which will likey lead to a poor performing. For lack of a better term, you'll always be behind the 8-ball. Your students will be struggling in the class and without any direction and may end up dropping the class as a result of poor planning. You have to much in as much effort as you expect of your students.
A well thought out plan will ensure the most complete and comprehensive coverage of the objectives of the course.
If an instructor has not taken the time to plan ahead many stumbling blocks can occur. The instructor may look unorganized and unprofessional. I know oh so well that I thought poorly of my unorganized instructors and felt as if I had a poor learning environment.
