Prepare to the unexpected
Careful planning would facilitate the delivery of the content knowledge.
However they will always be unforeseen situations which must be addressed with an assertive approach.
Knowing your students, setting clear rules, its punishments and rewards will help instructor to better handle unanticipated issues in the classroom.
What should be done when these procedures do not pay off?
Peaches,
Good advice for instructors to follow. We need to get on the situation and get it resolved.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Tackle the issue early on. Putting off will only cause more tension in the class, especially if it is disruptive behavior.
Linda,
Right you are and when this happens it is almost impossible to get back on track.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like and agree with this statment because if the course and course content gets off track the situation will become unmanageable and ferustrating for both the students and the Instructor.
I try some times, talk about somethin about unexpected, because, take my students expected at my classes.
I agree with Deana that nothing is perfect and this is work that takes a lot of practice! Being honest with your students I think is very important and things do dome up that aren't anticipated.........nothing or nobody is perfect!
Collin,
The key is to have activities planned that will allow you to fill up extra class time with valuable learning opportunities when a lesson is completed early or a class is cut short due to some school issue. By planning for the unexpected you have sufficient resources available to keep your students moving forward in their learning no matter what might come up.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Donald,
Good way for you to show your students the value of the content you are sharing as well as showing them that there is a lot more to learn about their field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Deana,
Good advice for new instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Scott,
This is a model for instructors to follow. Being prepared and knowing you are ready to teach gives confidence to your ability to communicate. The sharing of stories from your past help to reinforce the value of the content you are sharing with your students. Good plan to follow, I wish you much teaching success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Juan,
Teaching and being a learning leader requires planning and consistency. If students do not follow the rules and policies of the course then consequences must be implemented. If they aren't then control of the class will be lost and it will be a very long course for both the students and the instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
That sounds like trying to complete a task when no one has told you what it is or how it will be evaluated! I think the other comments here are helpful but I find that being overly concerned about an unclear and not-guaranteed-to-happen event/circumstance create more tension and stress than necessary.
Of course having additional activities, additional topics for discussion and a the courage to discuss openly whatever has gone wrong/unexpectedly helps!
In my planning. I am always sure to provide additional resources that will help my class as we branch out on possible new concepts.
Nothing is perfect.... if it were teaching would not be work..... being new, you really need your bases covered!
Sometimes the unexpected could be used for a learning purpose and very beneficial. I had a situation where one my students at class break time behaved in unprofessional matter toward another student. I took the opportunity to discuss the professionalism in the work place and with patients. It really hit home and it was more interesting with a live example.
In the film industry, "force majeure" is taken as a given. I always try to plan as much as possible but always have a "rainy day" or two topic tucked away should things go awry. I also will take time when something unforeseen happen to give an example from my professional experience and talk about how we responded. Not only does it get students to understand this is part of it, but it gives me time to assess the situation while I give my story (a little mental multi-tasking).
