Experience has been my greatest teacher. Participating in faculty workshops at all of the schools I have taught has had a hugh impact on avoiding and correcting mistakes that I have made. The more I teach the more I learn how to avoid mistakes in the classroom.
I try not to assume that certain students have a background in certain subjects I teach, and I also try not to judge a book by its cover.
An easy way to learn students' names, especially in a big class, is to either prepare name cards for students or have students prepare name cards for themselves the very first day. Maybe I'm deluding myself, but I feel that my preparing the cards shows students I want to know their names. I also bring in corrected cards for nicknames or misspellings the very next class.
I teach a four hour class; therefore, I have to have enough relevant course material prepared well before class. If there is a lull in class discussion/instruction/group project; I will lose their attention and that is a disaster waiting to happen.I try to have too much material to cover as opposed to not enough.
Using others who have taught your class, or in your department as a resource is key! Knowing that you're not alone helps prevent or quickly repair mistakes. Bonding with the other instructors, not students prevents disrespect & misrepresentation of yourself. We are teachers first and only in the classroom!
Well, it's difficult because, as new instructors, we feel self-conscious about being unprepared or unqualified, and as veteran intructors, we fight the tendency to become complacent. I guess we should put in the effort to keep things fresh and relevant while also providing quality instruction and skills.
By know I have learned from all of my previous mistakes enough, that I typically avoid the common instructor mistakes... Unfortunately I still find plenty of uncommon mistakes to make!
I remember about 12 years ago when I was teaching my first college class, I was assigned a pre-math class for LPN's. The first several weeks was "Basic Math Skills". So I never bothered to plan ahead, not even to read over the next chapter. In Week 5 we began dividing fractions, I hadn't divided a fraction since I graduated college 10 years earlier and had forgotten how.
On the board, I set up the problem and quickly realized I have no idea how to solve it. Fortunately, I was able to fake it through the class by having students come to the board and work through problems with the class assisting.
Since then, I never enter a classroom without having read the chapters related to that day's class (I don't care what the subject is!!!)
Taking training classes; remembering what impressed you about instructors you have had over the years and using the good things that they did in your presentations; talk to your coworkers for their input, it can save you from some errors; learn from other instructors mistakes; last listen to yur students, you can learn from them as well as they can learn from you. Learn from the mistakes that you do make so that they do not happen again and fix the problems that the mistake may have caused.
It is so important to be prepared as well as be flexible with each student and each class. They are all different and require different teaching styles.
One common mistake that was not mentioned was instructors that assume knowledge. In other words, assuming that the students know something just because it is "common knowledge." Instructors have the benefit of learning and experience and need to remember that the students come from many backgrounds and do not necessarily share this knowledge. As a new instructor I was red-faced more than once because I assumed the students knew what I considered to be part of a "normal" person's knowledge base. Obviously, "normal" does not exist.
I believe that preparing in advance for a class will help prevent errors and mistakes. Going over the lecture including the solutions of the problems that is part of the lecture is also essential because it is possible to forget some of the steps in the solutions to arrive at the correct answer. A back up plan will also be helpful just in case something goes wrong with the planned lecture.
I have found being over prepared is a big help. I make sure I have ample lecture material avaiable as well as visual aids (I have found You Tube to be a wonderful resource). If there is a technical problem I have detailed notes I can refer to and use the board to write out key points and I have pages from the book written down to refer students to.
Talking with other instructors is a good way to learn some of the do's and don'ts. You can learn from other people's mistakes and hopefully not make the same mistake.
Another instructor in your department or college can enlighten you on best practices for that particular school and student body.
Hi Brenda,
Great response! You are definitely on point. I let my new instructors know that it is irrelevant to let students know that this is your first time teaching. It opens up a can of worms and gives students the ammunition they need to rake you over the coals. Walk into the classroom with great confidence, vast knowledge, and thoroughly prepared, and they will never know you have not taught before.
Patricia Scales
Some ways in which to avoid commonly made instructor mistakes is to go into the classroom with confidence, even if you are very nervous. The students will pick up on your uneasiness, and then if you verbalize it to the class, your road will be fairly bumpy. If this is the first time an instructor has taught before, it is best to not indicate that this is the first time--this will not instill confidence in the students about your ability or even knowledge.
Also, always learn your students' names. I learn the names before the start of class, and then put names to faces on the first day and continue to use their names during class in order to memorize them. This will set a good tone for the class, as the students will know that you pay close attention to details, such as their name.
Hi Lima,
Great advice! Never go into a classroom unprepared and think you are just going to wing it. Winging it will cause you to fall flat on your face.
Patricia Scales
You need to be prepared, organized, and professionally dressed. Do not be afraid to ask hep from experience instructors. Remember you are the instructor and not the student buddies. Make sure you set the rules and the tone of your class.
Proofread your materials and try on your own every activity you will cover in your class to ensure all steps are included.
Hi Angela,
Keep winning! You will develop into one of the best because you have the right attitude. Preparation is key!
Patricia Scales
Hi Sherrie,
I agree! Preparation is a must, and it gives you the confidence you need to do a great job in the classroom.
Patricia Scales
Hi Luis,
Preparation is a big must in order for things to run smoothly in the classroom.
Patricia Scales
