Instructor mistakes
I have taught my classes in approximately the same manner since i started teaching. I have my game plan in mymind and follow it as closely as possible, allowing questions from the class to lead me in the direction that particular class needs even though I continue to present all the subject matter. As time has passed,I have been accused of not being prepared for class.
I have been told that I should take a notebook with the lesson plans with me to show that I do have an agenda, but with or without it, I am still accused of not being prepared.
Do I make the game plan and stick to it no matter what questions I get or do I continue to let the questions guide me while covering the subject matter?
Hi Harry,
Variation is good for everyone! Students enjoy want and need variety to keep them interested.
Patricia
I think that even with the best preperation you still must be prepared to switch up your teaching techniques. Sometime I can tell in the first few minutes that students are not going to accept any type of lecture that day, so I switch it up and break into group discussion work or another activity that will keep them more focused. Sometimes it depends on the day of the week and the time of day as well. I teach evening classes and I can tell you for certain that students will not sit through a 50 minute lecture when it's the last period and they have been working all day. Somehow we have got to still get them the material but in a variety of methods that will keep them interested.
If you look at this from a student perspective, a student wants to know where a class session is headed.
As an instructor, you can provide this information by preparing an agenda for the class period that gives the overall objectives of that period and lists the activities that will take place to meet those objectives. You should share the agenda with students either by writing it on the board or by distributing handouts.
If students are giving you feedback indicating that they feel you are not prepared for class, then either (1) the agenda is not clear about what activities are going to take place during the class period, or (2) the class session has veered dramatically from the agenda.
Yes, it is important and useful to answer student questions. But it is even more important to stay reasonably on track with the agenda.
If a student asks an interesting question, try to answer that question in a way that directs the discussion back towards the topic at hand.
If a student's question relates to a topic on the agenda, but that topic is scheduled for later in the class session, then praise the student for bringing up an insightful point, explain that the issue will be addressed later in the period, and return to the current topic. When the time comes later in the class period, ask the student to reiterate their question from earlier.
If a student's question relates to a topic that is not on the day's agenda, then I would tell the student that you would be happy to discuss the issue with them after class. If possible, grasp any portion of the question that pertains to the current discussion topic and proceed from there.
If you find that students bring up a lot of questions that are not pertinent to the agenda, then perhaps you need to re-work your agenda for next time.
Hi David,
I am more of a structured person. I have my lesson plan ready, and I use it as a guide to stay on point, however I do entertain questions that are applicable to the lesson, but I steer the ship.
Patricia
