Bobbe,
Great job of long range planning with built in flexibility. This way the students know where the course is going and know you have an organizational plan to achieve the goals you have set for them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
When I start a mod out, I come prepared with an outline and a broken-down plan for the entire mod and the material I plan to utilize for 3 months (mod).
I also do change-up plans for unexpected events that pop up, or if I am not availble and someone else will be teaching my class. I have a week's worth of work and a short-range outline and plan ready and available for a temporary instructor to use which is easy to implement and understand.
In my other change-up plans, I include technical material, not the general material that I teach daily, weekly, monthly. This is to get everyone's attention in case some students are bored or sleeping-- I work hard so that doesn't happen -- and the contents of my plan are geared toward many topics and interests to hold their attention and teach what is outlined, yet add more insight on the subject and as far as presenting a well-rounded course.
Planning out your courses early helps with instructional success because it helps gauge your class time, helps your prepare your students better for test days better, can get your printting out of the ways early, and you will always be prepared with a back up plan when something don't go as planned.
Eric,
This is so true. By having a clear plan that is shared with the students it makes it much easier for them and you to follow as the course progresses.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
It provides the intructor with a guide for the course and minimizes the work an instructor has to do later in the term.
Bobbi,
I agree about being prepared. It sure makes the class go better and it is a win win for everyone. Can't imagine how instructors do it when they just walk in a try to "wing it". That is too stressful!
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
It helps to take this more proactive approach rather than a reactive approach when you don't have planning.
I have found that being prapared for class make my day go alot smoother. When I am not prapared it throws my entire day off and cause more stress than we all need. Student expect us to set an example and not being prapared is not a good example to start off with. This only teaches them not to have things done in a timley manner or to forget thier work at home or some other random excuse. I like to have a nice little check list the night before and go over it in the morning and then again before I leave my house and again just before I enter the class to be sure I have everything in order. Any other suggestions that may help a new instructor be more perpared?
The adage "plan your work" then states "work your plan". There are several things that must be avoided in teaching, including such things as "going around in circles", "confusion", "rabbit trails", and distractions. A plan is necessary to minimize these problems. In addition, the plan provides a foundation that prevents the collapse of instruction.
We all get inspired by that cool, creative activity idea that pops into our minds while we are driving or shopping for groceries, and we can't wait to try it out in the classroom (especially if we've taught the class numerous times and are starting to find our tried and true activities to be growing stale). The temptation can be to sketch out the activity and just burst into the next class period and give it a shot without considering all the details.
Nothing can kill a super-cool idea faster than not having planned out the best way to introduce it, the impact it will have, the way it ties into our objectives, and the possible pitfalls and how to handle them. It's why group activities so often fail--if there's a weakness in the activity because it was not well-thought out, then students will either exploit that weakness, or it will make it difficult for them to do their best work.
Lack of planning causes the instructor to race around before class and sometimes during class to acquire what is needed. I get to class 30 minutes ahead of time, having prepared my notes and read the material. I put information on the board ahead of time that I want to cover... topics only, not detailed information.This way the students can visualize what we are discussing.
Judy,
I like your attitude about instructor preparation and delivery. You are right we must be at our best each and every time we step into the classroom or we are not being professional in our dedication to our students.
Gary
Students figure it out pretty quickly if you are not prepared. Only an experienced teacher can go in cold. I have been teaching for many years and I am continually updating my curriculum to keep my information current. My philosophy is that my name is attached to every student I teach and I want their learning experience to be the best. Students are paying top dollar for education and that is what they should get!
I have found the binder system is the best way to go for an overloaded schedule and as Joannna says it will also help on times you need to be covered for a missed class. And if you ever need to teach same class again... just find your binder and review it.
It is very important for an instructor to enter the class prepared and organized as well as confident about the subject matter at hand! It shows the students that not only is the instructor knowledgeable about the subject being taught but the instructor took time to actually prepare for the class. I expect my instructors to prepare for their classes before hand, if they are teaching a subject that they are not familiar with they are expected to study the content before they teach it! It is nothing worse than to hear from a student that they feel the teacher doesn't care, or the instructor does not know anything about the subject their teaching.
I have observed this to be so true. I have to prepare and be organized for my own peace of mind to deliver subject effectively and students respond to that in a positive way.
I can see student satisfaction survey results from consistently well-prepared instructors vs late/unprepared instructors- students don't appreciate on-the-fly courses- they want to know what they're doing and when, and what to read to prepare for which lesson. Also, having a well-prepared course syllabus/schedule/outline makes it easier for somebody to cover for you in the event that you're unable to lecture. Taking the time to prepare well-beforehand takes stress away and enables you to focus on TEACHING.
I am a planner and a list maker. it keeps me focus and on task and it gives my students the confidence ok knowing were are they standing at this minute ,it gives then as well as me "grounding"
I wish I could say I made it up. I am a walking example of not being prepared. I *thought* I was, but they knew otherwise. When I found myself trying to get as close to the wall as possible, so they couldn't get behind me, I knew I was in serious trouble. Fortunately, class ended right about then, and everyone did give me another chance the next day (though it was dicey for a week as their slinty little eyes kept following me wherever I went).
So I survived that attack, but *never* let myself get caught like that again. I now always have a surprise project hiding in my work-case.
Nightwing,
I like your graphic example of how the students will feed on an unprepared instructor. We need to keep this in mind and always come to class prepared.
Gary
