Time management
Yes it is true that we have less time now and seem to be covering the same amount of material. I must say that the best way to cover the material in the time frame is to be as organized as possible. Pre writing the days schedule on the board at the end of the day for the next gives the student a head start on what we will be expecting of them. Hopefully they will review the material the day before so the time can be used as effectively as possible.
I think that there is a definite middle ground with time management, or just classroom management in general. If you stick with too rigid of a schedule, I can see students becoming bored or checking the clock for the end of the current segment. If you are too free with the class it is easy to get sidetracked way off topic and not have time to cover the necessary material.
I generally approach a class like I write a speech; that is I have essentially "bullet points" to cover in the time frame. If I have a class that does not ask a lot of questions, I can expand on each "bullet point" and go into greater detail. If I have a class that asks lots of questions (which I love!), we will just have a little less detail.
All in all, proper time management is extremely important but you also have to allow some flexibility to cater to the needs of your students. The more you teach in general, the better you will be able to get at this.
In order to facilitate my course in the most effective manner I find that pre-writing a course during the weeks before a new class starts really helps. I have a ten-page Word document outlining the topics for each class (we have ten-week terms).
I also like to break down each class period into three sections.
1. Quiz time (we have quizzes/exams almost every week)
2. Discussion/Lecture time
3. Q & A time
4. Demonstration & class exercise
5. Q & A for the class exercise
Being that we have 4.5 hour classes, it can be difficult to gauge how much material to pack into one day. This way it makes it very simple to break down each class period into 40-60 minute chunks.
Does anyone else find that the longer you have taught a particular class -- the faster you go through the material? With newer classes, I tend to run out of time.
Hi Nathanial!
Do you have any examples of when you have had to adapt that you are willing to share?
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
My expereince with the students that want to discuss further or have questions have been pleasant. I believe the questions and interactions enrich the environment. It changes the schedule but I find it easier and more interesting to balance the days that students are interested on the subject with the days that we have less to do.
The longer I taught, the more ability I have to balance the different days.
It is always good to plan ahead and go over what you plan on doing day by day. This can lead to a very organized environment that allow students to know what to expect. Just don't expect it to always work. Be prepared to have to adapt to certain issues that may arise.
I am trying hard to use Time Management like being organized at all times, but the thing is one or two of my students come late and during my break time, will approach me and ask me to explain what they missed. I cant just ignore the students and here i am repeating to them what they missed. Should i just ask late students to catch up and asked their peers to explain the lecture they missed? Be responsible.
thanks
maria
The last thing I do before the students leave is to go over what we will be doing in the next class so they can be prepared and ready for class. There are no surprises.
I Agree. I always have my material organized and have hand outs, homework assignments, and exams or quizzes copied and ready to handout. The last thing I do before the students leave is to go over what we will be doing in the next class so they can be prepared and ready for class. There are no surprises.
