Planning
I have to admit, I need to do better with planning. That is my goal while I am on break. Sometimes I feel as though I am "flying by the seat of my pants" and that's not fair to the students. Mind you, the subject that I teach, oral communications, is a fairly easy one and a class which does not vary all that much from one semester to the other, but it can be more challenging and that is what I hope to accomplish by the time I start my next semester.
Leah,
Like your enthusiasm for teaching and preparation. You are having fun with what you are doing and I know this reflects on to your students. If they know you care about your content they will as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The institute where I currently teach is fairly new and has some bumps to smooth out but we are all on the right track. The one area in which has been changing and we have been focusing on is more classroom preparation time. This to me is SO important I am very excited to know that I have hours to plan out certain classes, especially my laboratories I teach.
Joseph,
I never realized that so much of being a teacher is administrative and I have sometimes let those requirements consume most of my time and energy. Only recently I have shifted my focus back to the classroom and make time to prepare for an exciting and informational class that my students will enjoy. The lesson plans are a thorn in my side!! I love to make notes in all areas of my life but these detailed breakdowns of what I am planning to do days in advance drives me crazy. Perhaps the devil is in the details because I must have a clear plan of action, not just daily but an overview of how the course will be divided into small lessons. I feel most confident when I can walk into my classroom, lab or clinic and have all the necessary materials at the ready and my goals and onjectives of the specific lesson well planned out. My worst fear is to be unprepared and look foolish in front of my students. They deserve an instruntor who is on the ball and enthusiastic.
Mike,
You have a very well developed instructional strategy. You are offering both variety and change of pace to your students as you move them through the content. Stories from the field are great to share because they illustrate the value of the content being studied through examples. So keep sharing these stories as you offer your experience and expertise to your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe planning a course well in advanced is the best way to work but it can be hard to do. However, I find that if I can complete the lessons, lectures and assignments well before class begins, then I am more successful as an instructor. I accomplish this task by either developing or studying the assignments and course competences, and then I develop my lectures. Once the lectures have been created in PowerPoint I can stay focused and on target with the subject. I do side bar from time to time with industry examples that I have recently experienced, seen or heard about. Those little stories seem to have a positive result on student outcomes as well as bringing real life into the course.
Mark,
Well said and essential for setting the stage for quality instruction and student engagement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The sooner you can deliver your information, the sooner you establish control of the class and they will quickly learn what is expected of them. PREPARE!
I as a sub, everything is planned pretty well for me. I do "wing it" when it comes to how I deliver the content to the class.
I plan the day before and have on my desk ready in the morning.
Thomas,
Clear and concise information about the goals and objectives of the course as well as that session is a must. This way the students will see the value of what is being covered and can concentrate on obtaining the needed knowledge and skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
your lesson needs to be clear, and get the students attention. I think a lesson should be direct and straight to the point.
With the right organizational plan and advance planning of your subject matter will help the student to be more focus to follow your class activities. And trained them well in advance so they able to apply it to their future career.
Justin,
This is a very good approach to instructional planning. As you say you have organization but also flexibility to customize your delivery as needed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I had this issue as well (and still need to improve on it) but one thing I found that helped me was to take the time and create an in depth course outline before the semester starts. Then the day before each class I would re-evaluate my outline for that day and make any necessary adjustments. This allowed me to be flexible but rigid enough that I didn't feel like I was 'flying by the seat of my pants.'
Rachele,
Nothing like experience to shore up the instructional foundation from which an instructor operates. This opens opportunities to try new strategies and activities to enhance the instructional process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found that over time in a course, that "flying by the seat of my pants" becomes less problematic and my lesson plans more substantial and organized.
Hi Joseph,
It seems that "flying by the seat of one's pants" is part of teaching at one point or another. We might term this as improvising. Of course, there needs to be set plans going in, but being adaptive to the needs of certain groups of students and having the ability to change on the fly seems like a skill you have developed.
Best,
Joseph
Joseph,
With a clear lesson plan, you have the opportunity to respond to students' questions and interests; you can remain flexible.
Joseph,
You are teaching in my opinion an essential course for your students even though they may not see the value of it. Effective communications both written and oral are key to career success. Keep up your good effort and continue to grow in your planning because the results will be well worth it for your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
