Definately preparation. Know the material completely and if need be, practice any lectures or presentations beforehand. Also, know the textbook thoroughly.
Hi Jay,
Preparation is key, and meshing fun while teaching adds more flavor to the lesson, thus minimizing anxiety.
Patricia
Hi Jennifer,
Over preparing is such a saving grace. Panic can certainly occur if you run out of things to do. Always have more than you need. Supplemental exercises are great in a time of need.
Patricia
Start with a subject, part of the class you are most comfortable with, perhaps a demonstration.
The start of the class is the most important it sets the stage for sucess
Hi Laurel,
Preparation is key! As an instructor you have to make time to prepare.
Patricia
Preparation, preparation. Sometimes it is hard to schedule the time, but it always pays off by a better class experience
Hi Pamela,
Preparation is key! Students never need to sit idle. As instructors, we should always have more material than we need.
Patricia
Hi Judi,
I can see how this is very relaxing! Are you allowed to have drinks in your classroom? At my institution no drinks are allowed in the classroom.
Patricia
When I feel prepared I have a lot less anxiety. Also, it is a good idea to have more than enough things each class for the students. The students are much happier when they stay busy.
When I feel prepared I have a lot less anxiety. Also, it is a good idea to have more than enough things each class for the students. The students are much happier when they stay busy.
you have to prepare well before class, if you have any questions you can ask other veteran teachers, never "wing it" most of the time the results are not positive.
Hi Katheryn,
Preparation is key! Just knowing that you are prepared will certainly ease your nerves.
Patricia
this can be done by being totally prepared, with plenty of material available for students.
I try to always try to over prepare. There is nothing worse than looking at the clock and there is still another hour left in the class and you only have 5 minutes worth of work left.
I like to have extra in-class handouts, worksheets, and/or assignments ready that way I always have something to fall back on if I run a little short in lecture.
The instructor resources can be very useful, they help organize how you are going to teach the class and most give multiple ideas for assignments.
One of the main ways to reduce anxiety prior to class is to come well prepared. Think about what you are going to talk about as well as activities or projects that will be done for the class. By being prepared, we are naturally going to have less anxiety.
Also, try to have fun and enjoy yourself. If you are able to do this, the anxiety level also goes down.
Take a deep breath and imagine everything that could go wrong. Then, exhale, and imagine being a professional role model. It helps me whenever I feel anxious about teaching.
I find the best way is to be fully prepared with my lesson plans, copies of hand-outs and worksheets, and to always have more material than I think I'll need in case an activity takes less time than I planned.
Hi Ellen,
Experience truly is the best teacher. I tell my new instructors all the time, "NEVER LET THEM SEE YOU SWEAT." Students typically won't make an issue, if the instructor doesn't make an issue.
Patricia
We seem to get uncomfortable and start to panic when we feel that a situation is unmanageable or we are not prepared for the subject. So I think the best solution to this problem is to make sure that you have read over your curriculum and prepped for your class well in advance. You should also do a trial run on your lecture if you have never lectured over that subject. I will sometimes give the lecture out loud and orally to myself while checking to make sure that I have adaquate time to give the presentation. I always try to make sure that I allow at least 15 minutes for class discussion also.
