dont try and fake the knowlege your right students can read the bs
Hello Bharat,
To prepare is a MUST! As educators, we know a lot, but you are right Bharat, we do not know everything. Absolutely, learn from your mistakes!
Patricia
Hi Jason,
As an educator, you must appear to be very confident in the classroom. Once a student determines the instructor is not confident, the instructor has lost all credibility. You must make a presence every day you walk in the classroom as the instructor.
Patricia
Prepare well for the class. We may think that we know everything but that is not usually true. If we are prepared than we will be able to respond correctly to student questions.
However in spite of this, once in a while we will make mistakes. In this situation admit the mistake and take a note of it and make sure we don't make the same mistake again.
Instructors need to relax and present themselves as they would in their past enviornmets. Comfidence will extend to the students and they will feed off it from the start.An instructor that takes a personal inventory every night before the next class can self examine how the day went and make preparations for the next days activities. I find that addressing the students with respect they intuitively are repectful back.Doing this allows the student to be lees apprehensive in the class. This all leads to great success overall for the student as well as the instructor.
Hi Rich,
Mistakes should make you a better instructor because hopefully as an instructor you will not make the same mistake twice. A mistake is really not a bad thing as long as you learn from the mistake and do not make the same mistake twice.
Patricia
Hi George,
It does take a BIG person to admit their mistakes, but you are right, we are all human. Mistakes are bound to happen.
Patricia
Pay attention to details dont rush and always remember instructors are people to and we will make mistakes its what you learn from those mistakes that will make you a better instructor
I would have to say that I am not afraid to laugh at myself and admit to my mistakes when in class. It shows the students that even though I am serious about what I want them to take from my class, I am also human just as they are.
I try to show up a bit early if I know a particular class may be a bit of a struggle for me, to get myself mentally prepared for the class and to give myself a little quiet time to relax and breathe before the first student arrives. They walk in and see me sweating it...it is all over but the crying.
Hi Vincent,
I've seen mistakes made throughout a grading period. I've been teaching for 20 years, and I make mistakes ocassionally. Mistakes will happen without a shadow of a doubt.
Patricia
Common instructor mistakes, in most cases happen the first day. Due to the amount of different personalities that are in the room. Also the amount of time it takes to confiqure a teaching method for all.
Hello Scott,
You MUST be prepared. Simply, make a presence on the first day. The first day sets the stage for the entire grading period.
Patricia
Hi Mark,
Being an educator for 20 years, I can teach new instructors a thing or two. I do know typical mistakes that are made by instructors, and I do not mind sharing with new instructors. You have made an excellent point!
Patricia
I find that preparation is key. Though I have been instructing this course for several years and have had a great deal of influence in the course materials, I still review the materials. I have checklists to be sure I have all the materials I need for class, and I too sing the praises of Powerpoint. I have videotaped some lectures and demonstrations as well - I find that I am my own worst critic, so I have my fellow instructors critique me. I find that is where I recieve some of the best tips.
just be prepared and relax if the students see that you are relaxed and comfortable in the front of the class they will feel comfortable with you
A good start to avoiding common instructor mistakes is to first find out which ones are commonly made. Ask fellow instructors. As they said an instructor is someone who by nature enjoys helping people, so, they will probably be willing to help out a fellow new instructor by explaining mistakes they had made. Then, explain what they could have done to avoid those mistakes.
Hello Bruce,
You are right on! Class preparation is key! An instructor should never run out of instructional materials in a class period. It is crucial to always have extras.
Patricia
Class prep is the most important. I always have a extra presentation ready if the class proceds to fast and not look like I rushed threw it. By making a mistake I try to turn it into a leraning step for may students . We try to find out what went wrong and how it should have been done correctly.
come to class properly prepared with more material than may be required. anticipate that almost anything un-suspected could and generally does take place. be aware and alert.
let the students know what you are going to cover, explain how you plan on doing this. and follow thru with your plan. I call it the 6-P's
meaning "Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance"
Reality is that we are all very capable of making mistakes. Even a seasoned instructor can make mistakes. When a mistake is made the instructor first must show ownership by admitting the mistake and taking corrective action. The key is not to make the same mistakes over and over.
Taking notes about how the class went and what your mistakes were is a good start. Reviewing these notes should help prevent the instructor from repeating the mistakes made.
Being prepared without overpreparing is significant. Sometimes it can be tempting to cram more extra information into a lecture than you have time for. This can lead to an unsuspected question from the class.
It can be challenging to leave personal issue at home. One thing that I do right as I enter the class I stop and take in the classroom setting and commit myself to being a good instructor for the rest of the day. By doing so I am telegraphing to my mind the proper mind set that I need to be in just like a golfer visualizes the shot before he/she actually swings the club.
In the end there is no substitut for experience.
A good instructor should feel compelled to verify what went wrong and take steps to prevent it from happening again.
