Having a good amount of material ready to use takes the fear out of a new class for me. It doesn't mean I will use it all but I can get past the dead air zone if it happens. Kind of like introducing a new idea and going again instead of beating a dead topic. Also, move on to asking engageing questions and getting students to talk back and forth lets me join in with comments from my experience background. That helps me get my confience back in case I was beginning to have self doubts as to how I was coming over to the class.
Hi Tim,
Many years of experience, and you have certainly taught a wide group of students. I've been teaching for over 22 years, but the largest group I have ever had was 30. I find myself to be well prepared and very confident when teaching. I like to prepare a week in advance. Preparation certainly minimizes anxiety.
Patricia
Hi Cynthia,
Preparation is key! When you are prepared, you feel more ready, confident, and in control.
Patricia
I can well recall the anxiety I experienced in my first few classes. I obviously was not well prepared. By sitting down with my lesson plans, I prepared a class outline for each in advance of the class. It made it so much easier for me to look at what I had put together and to be able to instruct my class on specific subject matter without fumbling through pages. Not only did I feel more professional and in control, but the anxiety was curbed.
I've been teaching adults for over 30 years in classroom settings, large groups of 300 to 1000, and small groups of 3 to 5 students. I love teaching, but I am anxious every time I step in front of a group. At first I thought it was a weakness, but now I consider that anxious edge to be an advantage. When I enter the classroom I'm up and ready to go. I tend to bring my students up with me. With that said, the best way for me to reduce anxiety is to be prepared and have enough pertinent material to cover the time so as not waste my students time.
Be prepared for the specific class. You can be over prepared but in most cases the information needed for your first class is extensive as you prepare for questions as well as lecture.
I prefer to organize a new class by asking questions I think students want to know about the history of the topic and the relevent specifics of the profession.
Hi Steven,
I teach in the same area, therefore I understand exactly what you are talking about. In this area, once you learn all the answers, they change all the questions. We are always switching books and learning new things, therefore being prepared is definitley a must.
Patricia
Preparation, preparation, preparation... For me this is the only way to overcome pre-class nerves and anxiety. I love teaching classes that I've taught several times in the past, because of the confidence and reduced amount of preparation required. But I get really nervous teaching new classes unless I take the time to prepare for them. As an Information Technology teacher I've found that it is very difficult to be completely prepared for new courses. The technology continues to change and so do the books. I've found that it helps a lot to demonstrate my knowledge in the field during the first course by showing some of the websites and programs that I've completed. This confirms to the class that I am an expert in the field (SME). Using this technique the students are easy to forgive me when I make mistakes, chalking them up as nobody knows everything when it comes to computers!
Hi Florene,
Enthusiasm is contagious. Let your students catch it from you.
Patricia
I have found that you really need to be a professional, be prepared and enthused about your lesson.. If students observe this you will get their attention and you then will be more at ease as well as your students.
Hi Alex,
Over preparing is a good thing. Better to be too prepared than not prepared enough. Preparation is the key to success when teaching.
Patricia
be prepaired. over prepair and practice your delivery to a friend or family member. remember that you know more than your students do. your new at teaching and your going to make mistakes. thats o.k. just use those mistakes to learn from and correct your ways.
I reduce my anxiety by over-preparing. I usually have three or four drafts of the syllabus and notes before I begin.
Hi Shannon,
I like the idea of a quote. I use inspirational quotes in my classes, and students love them. They set a positive tone for the class.
Patricia
To review material prior to class and be well informed of the subject matter
I agree with the others, that preparation is key. Also, one of the instructors that I work with suggested starting the day off with a quote to write on the board that relates to the day's topic. It's an easy icebreaker, and also helps the day get started on topic.
Hi Cecelia,
This is a great experience whenever an inexperienced instructor can shadow a seasoned instructor. Experience is truly the best teacher!
Patricia
I , too am a new instructor at our institution. Part of my training was to shadow two experienced instructors for a six week rotation. I think hat was the one thing that made my transition to instructor so much easier. I was able to use their expertise in preparing for my courses. This is my second rotation and I am still shadowing yet another experinced instructor.
Hi Cheri,
Preparation is key! I always prepare a week in advanced. This has work well for my 22-year career.
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
I'm sorry. I thought I answered this. The best way to overcome pre-class nerves and anxiety is to be prepared or over-prepared. Practice lectures beforehand. Have activities for students to do. I always have a few fun things ready and there is always the economy. Sometimes I have students pick opposing points of view and debate them. Sometimes I play devil's avocate and start a debat.
