Mistakes
Describe what you consider to be the biggest classroom mistake you have made. Describe how you have avoided and helped others avoid that same mistake.
Hi Krista,
Preparation is key! If a mistake is made, admit it, rectify it, learn from it, and move on.
Patricia Scales
This is a difficult question for me to answer since I do not teach a class. If I think of this in terms of my presentation i give to new students, i know that if i studder or lose my confidence while presenting, this will cause the audience to lose faith in me as the "expert" and lose interest in the material i am presenting. I try to avoid this mistake by practicing my presentation and rehearsing my notes.
Hi David,
Letting a student know that you are a new teacher is irrelevant. Students will rake you over the coals in more ways then one when they know that you are new.
Patricia Scales
Letting the class know that I was new and had just come out of the field. I tried to be more of friend with a great amount of knowledge. This does not work! Today, I have the respect as an instructor because I am willing to teach everyone that can show up to class, be professional and participate.
Hi David,
Absolutely! I make it a point to check my students grades daily so that there are no issues at the end of the grading period.
Patricia Scales
The biggest mistake I've made was not monitoring closely my students' progress. I was caught off guard by the end of the phase by a couple of students that didn't pass their final assessment. I have since kept a very close eye on grades and try to head off any potential performance issues. Proactivity is usually better than reactivity.
Hi Drexel,
Never let your students behavior dictate you to have negative behavior. Don't let them see you sweat and stay in full control at all times.
Patricia
I Think the biggest mistake that I made is letting the students agravate me to the poit of frustration. By controlling the situation and not allow this to happen i exhibit true maturity.
Hi Joseph,
Time is of the essence, but we must make it a point to answer all of the students questions even if we do have to do it either before class or after class. Students expect us to make time for them. They are the reason we have a job.
Patricia
I attempted to answer all questions and learned that some questions need to be addressed later or after class to verify correct information is given or not consume too much class time.
Hi Louis:
That seems to be excellent advice from my experience. If you as the instructor and master of the domain bring your personal issues into the classroom, you are inviting your students to do the same. Talking to them during breaks or before or after class about their personal situations rpovides opportunities for rapport building and should not interfere with class learning.
John
Hi Linda,
Absolutely, mistakes are inevitable! They are bound to happen by all. It is good to let our students know that we are human, and we too make mistakes.
Patricia
I have always felt that students learn best in a relaxed classroom. On day one, my main objective is to let them know who I am, what my background is, what I expect from them and make sure that they are comfortable enough to ask questions when they need to. I let them know that I am human, that as a human I will make mistakes and that I will own up to and correct those mistakes that I make. I have found that they will handle making mistakes easier when they realize that I am comfortable enought to laugh about my mistakes.
Hi Chuck,
Introducing yourself first is always a positive move. The introduction adds a nice personal touch and is a great way to build a rapport with your students. Continue to open up your classes on the first day by introducing yourself first.
Patricia
When I fist started I never introduce myself first, I would go into a tiraid about rules and resualts. This usually put the students off and it would take me quite awhile to gain any respect as they felt disrespected.
Today I introduce myself ask the students to intro themselves and let us know where they are from and what they hope to learn from the class. When that is done I talk about my back ground both in the field and as n instructor, this leads into what the class will be about.
Hi Tom,
Once the class is gone, it is hard to get them back. Simply start out tough from Day 1.
Patricia
As a novice instructor I have allowed the class to be disruptive and not well behaved. After realizing the class was out of control, I tried to bring them back in by increasing the discipline. I found out erarly that it is easy to start hard and let up, however, it never works to let the class go and try to get them back.
Hi Dave,
Arrogance from the instructor can cause more harm than good. I've been teaching for over 20 years, and I have never used arrogance to make myself as the authoritative figure. I simply treat my students as I want to be treated. I treat them with much respect, and I receive much respect in return.
Patricia
The biggest mistake I ever made was coming across like 'Big me, Little you.' I relized that was a learning barrier for the students. I became an instructor because I like to teach others. I no longer wanted my classroom to have the environment of 'Big me, Little you.' I work hard to create a positve environment in the class as team learning with me as the coach. My advice to new instructors would be to be well prepared for class, but never to come across as arrogant.
