Over Pepare
A good instructor over prepares, matches their teaching style with their students learning style and changes the classroom acivity every 20 minutes. This keeps the energy flowing in the classroom.
Thanks, Dorothy. As a new instructor with students in 3 1/2 hour blocks, I am still struggling with organizing the flow of classroom time. Your '20 Minute Rule' is a great suggestion.
Hi Kathleen,
I like your variations. You get me excited just from reading your response. I can tell you prepare well.
Patricia
I agree with Larry, you can never be over-prepared. You never know if the class will be subdued or active so you need to be ready for any situation. I have a fun games, exercises, video clips and other "extras" for each class period so I can liven-up a dull class or break the tension of a mostly lecture class. I also like to have impromtu group discussions on the topic being cover, the students like when they can participate by sharing their experiences!
Hi Larry,
You're right! Some instructors can only touch on the surface of their subject matter, if they have to go deeper the knowledge base becomes extremely less. We need to dig as deep as we possibly can into our specialized areas.
Patricia
There is no such thing as being over prepared. A broad knowledge and depth of your subject matter is your best tool. I change the subject matter periodically. When I go off on a tangent I always bring it back around to tie it back in to make a bigger picture for more clarity and understanding. Way to many instructors can only teach what they have been taught. We as instructors need to continue to learn more of the history, present and future of our fields to keep the interest of our ever changing students.
Hi Dorothy,
Super! I love the variety, and I am sure your students never get bored.
Patricia
Hi Patricia:
First 20 minutes I take roll by asking students questions from the homework as I call their names out loud. This is an ice breaker and really gets students talking.
Second 20 minutes - Lecture with students taking notes
Third 20 minutes - an assessment of some type
Fourth 20 minutes - group exercise (no more than 5 to a group
Fifth 20 minutes - reflective writing exercise.
and so on. You can include (video clips, guest speakers, current event discussions, and so on...
Hi Dorothy,
Wow! What type of things do you do every 20 minutes for variation?
Patricia
