First be prepared. Then practice, whether it be in front of a mirror or on tape. Last, think before you speak. Sometimes we answer too quickly and that is where the trouble can start.
Hi Deborah,
Just as the students are to stay focused on learning, the instructor must stay focused on teaching. The instructor should not let the students get he/she off topic too much. If the students attempt to steer away from the topic, the instructor must gain control of the topic for the day.
Patricia
Stay focused on teaching and pay attention to the way you present yourself to the class
Hi John,
So many instructors make the mistake of bringing personal issues into the workplace. If the issues are not job related, they should be left out the door.
Patricia
Being prepared for class & making sure your room is ready for the days activities is one way to help avoid making a mistake. Also keeping your personal life & professional life seperate is a good sound practice. J.P.
Hello Thomas,
What are these responses pertaining to? Oh, so you use association to help remember names, how creative.
Patricia
I get responses like flying, skydiving, skiing, bicycling, etc. I like to do these things too so it is easy to relate questions. Also I picture their names doing these things and it helps me remember names. A little association thing.
Hi Thomas,
What an awesome tactic to use to help determine what activities your students enjoy. It is great to utilize the activities that the students enjoy within the lesson. What type of activities do your students enjoy?
Patricia
I am prepaired and organized before the course starts and when we do introductions I like them to tell me an activity they enjoy. I jot this down and bring it up in the course to relate to it when I try to describe something to them.
Hello Joseph,
It is always nice when you can include fun while learning. Students love to learn when it is fun!
Patricia
preparedis a given...also figure out ways to make the lesson funn...takes pressure off the instructor
Hi Bill,
Nicely stated! A definite way to avoid mistakes is to know the rules, policies, and procedures of the institution. There are many, and at times you may have to go to the appropriate documentation to revisit the various rules, policies, and procedures.
Patricia
Experience is a way to avoid common mistakes. You should also be familiar with the policies and procedures of your school. Administrators and other instructors can guide you to correct or avoid most mistakes. Inside the classroom, preparation for the day’s class is very important. You need all of the course materials available and an understanding of the learning objectives, along with the most appropriate delivery method. Your ability to effectively communicate and interact with the students will determine the success of the classroom activities. You must remember that you job is to teach not lecture, so therefore your goal is to ensure that learning can take place.
Hi Brad,
What benefits have you gathered from having your work done a week in advanced? I too try to get my work done a week in advance for each course. I share this tactic with my inexperienced instructors, and they quickly realize the benefits of it.
Patricia
Hello Charles,
It is bound to happen, we will make mistakes. It is no way around making mistakes. No one is perfect. Even the instructor is imperfect.
Patricia
Hi Charles,
Great points made! Also, the more you teach a subject matter the more comfortable you will become, and soon you will be a pro in the subject matter. Experience is the best teacher!
Patricia
I say get to know your students this helps you to teach the individual. they see you care and they start to care more!
Proper prepation;research,rehearsal,observing another instructor teaching the same class will build confidence. If you have prepared yourself then relax and let experience and knowledge carry you. Be yourself, remember you know more than the students do. Don't let performance worries interfere with your job of sharing your subject these students who came to you. They want you to succeed.
Everyone makes mistakes.That is part of being human, but if you acknowledge your mistakes and show how to correct it,that can be positive learning experience for the students and the teacher.
I try and have all my class prep done a week before the class begins. I also have backup plans in the event a lecture runs short or when we miss a day due to a holiday.
