If I remind myself to always be the expert in the room, I can avoid losing face in front of my students.
Two mistakes I can very easily make so I need to keep in the back of my mind at all times:
I need to let students "struggle" when working on equipment. I have to stand back and know the right time to jump in (except safety issues). They will learn much more from mistakes than a quick success.
I need to think back to my early years in the field. I need to remember and understand what the student needs to be taught at the enrty level and not what a 30 year tech needs to know. Do not overwhelm them. Give them the right "tools" for the level of needs.
Hi James,
I hear you loud and clear! As educators we should strive on producing 100% quality and accurate work.
Patricia
One of the most annoying problems in being a new instructor and using the materials of the previous instructor is finding mistakes in lecture notes and quizzes that have not been corrected. I have learned to review all material ahead of time or create my own and disregard the prior instructor's material.
When you make a mistake in front of your class, admit your mistake,(we as instructors are only human too),learn and move on. The students will respect you for having the confidence to admit when you are wrong and possibly give them the confidence to ask more questions or ask for clarification on something without feeling embarrassed if they make a mistake.
Hi Robert,
I totally agree! I teach a Ten-key course, of course, which is math related. I have an exercise where mistakes have been made on an adding tape, and students must compare the adding tape to the actual problem to determine what mistake(s) was made on the adding tape. The studenst are to correct the mistakes without reworking the entire problem. There are many people who cannot find their own mistakes. They know something is wrong, but they do not know what is wrong or how to fix it. Using logics is a good way to catch math-related mistakes.
Patricia
What is even worse than when students catch a mistake is when they DON'T catch it.
Being able to see mistakes and understand why something isn't working is, in some situations, more valuable than doing it perfect the first time through. A lot of times experts are called in to find mistakes in other people's work in the real world, so if we want to train those experts, they need to be able to catch the mistakes.
As a math teacher, I will always talk about common pitfalls and ways to avoid mistakes, but I also try to show my students how we can reason our way through and use logic to show that an answer we've come up with cannot be right. Whenever a student catches a mistake in a problem, I like to use it as a springboard for a class discussion about the mistake and the type of mistake; how we can avoid making the mistake and how we can realize if we have made it before it is too late.
I've found that questions that come up in class are sometimes impossible to know the answer to immediately and the SEARCH for the answer is just as valuable as the answer (if not more so).
In my classes, I always try to present the material as a challenge that my students and I can overcome together and problem solving and the skills of problem solving are a great opportunity to drive that home and also are valuable in any setting.
Hi Heather,
Instructors should never put down each other in front of students to make themselves look good. Instructors should work together as a team and not against each other. When I hear a student speaking negatively about an instructor I put a stop to it immediately, and I have a private firm conversation with the student as to how it is not fair nor professional to do such a thing and gossip will not be tolerated in the workplace.
Patricia
I have noticed most comments refer to new instructor mistakes but there are also mistakes made by instructors of many many years experience. Across the board it is best to never be a friend to a student and always think before you speak! There is nothing worse than hearing from a student that another instructor has spoken of you in a negative manner to a class. Even when hearing things like this it is extremely important to act professionally but it is sad that even some instructors still have the need to be the students' "favorite". The students aren't the only ones who are trying to be the favorite!!
Hi Francisco,
Most students know when you are bluffing your way through a subject/concept. You are right, admit that you do not know, find the answer, and share the answer at the next class meeting.
Patricia
I learned early on during my graduate career how important it was to admit when you are ignorant on a certain subject or topic. When giving a lecture or seminar talk, trying to skate through a question to which you do not have an answer is easily seen by the audience. Your participants will see right through you. Its always better to admit your ignorance. You will gain respect and keep your integrity.
Hi Michael,
You did not miss a beat! Great way to over plan! Preparation is key! You went on with your lesson, which is a great on your part!
Patricia
Always have a back-up plan. Technology is wonderful but it can create unforseen problems. Just this week I checked out a brand new DVD to show to a class. I unwrapped it and put it in my laptop, hooked it up to the projector and it wouldn't work. This has happened before. Tried in a couple of student laptops. Same result. Because I was over-prepared, I just carried on with what I had planned. Later that day, I had someone with more computer savvy that I, dub the DVD into a different format that worked and showed it the next time the class met. Fortunately, it was something that could be shown out of sequence. I always have a back-up plan, just in case
My school pairs inexperienced instructors with experienced ones and that's been very helpful as a new instructor.
Hi Alejandro,
Great way to strive for perfection! I can tell you want to be the best that you can be! I like taking side notes in the text based on that particular section as to what I need to change.
Patricia
Every comment or suggestion I write down after each lecture goes in a specific notepad. Every week I dedicate 30-60 minutes going over these notes and altering my lectures so they are ready to go the following semester.
Hi Andres,
That's right! Own up to your mistake and move forward. We are human, and we make mistakes too.
Patricia
Hi Dwayne,
Preparation is key! Whenever we make mistakes we own up to them and move forward. Mistakes are bound to happen.
Patricia
Being prepared is probably the best way to avoid most mistakes. Also, because we are human and will inevitably make mistakes, our response to these mistakes will be important.I have used humor before when correcting my mistakes.
