I feel that the worst mistake is if the instructor lets the students see that he/she is not confident in what they are trying to teach. Even if you aren't 100% on the topic just try an research and prepare so that you seem to be experienced in it. They will never know and won't think someone else should be teaching it.
1. Have a plan.
2. Know your plan.
3. Stick to the plan.
4. Realize that plans change!
Be prepared by practicing at home beforehand. Make sure that a checklist is made, and check off accomplishments as they are compleed (i.e. passing out and explaining the syllabus, explaining quarterly projects, etc.) Take deep breaths before actually entering the classroom. Continue to tell yourself that you are a professional very well capable of effectively delivering a great account of your experiences combined with the lecture material to allow successful student learning. Be confident in your abilities. Portray this confidence coupled with a professional approach at all times.
After I complete a course, I immediately make notes about ways that I could have improved. For example:
a. Maybe one lesson was too long
b. I need more activities
c. I need more short quizzes
d. or I need to totally revamp a section
When it is fresh on your mind, it is easier to make these notes and adjustments.
Sometimes we can take ourselves too seriously and that is a great way to open up and connect with the students.
There is no way to plan for all the mistakes that can occur. I believe in getting a good mentor and "pick their brain". There is no substitute for experience.
I often tell my mentees things that my mentor told me! It is a great feeling!
Everything from gradebooks to parent meetings (secondary level education) and beyond.
At the end of the class have the students fill out and hand in-three things that they learned-identify anything that was not clear and make an appointment to see you with their contact info. Also identify what they liked best about the lecture.
Then the instuctor has immediate feedback and something to learn from.
First you have to realize that mistakes are going to be made and what's important is how you handle/correct them. I use humor as much as possible. I've already shown them that I know what I'm talking about and with a mistake and humor, I show them that I'm also human! In a funny way, it makes me more accessible but they feel more comfortable with me.
and I always seem to learn the 'hard' way, through mistakes.
1.Letting them know that everybody will have the same importunity to succeed in my class
2.Talk about my experience in the field and the great thinks that happened to me when I was practicing medicine.
3.Never talk about thing that I’m not good at; instead talk about thing that I’m great at.
Hi Carla,
I am starting as a new instructor and I think this plan is great
Be prepared for each class and have back up material at all times. Keeping control over class discussions is key and if you have the topic interesting and interactive, this helps. I never hold questions for the end.
Hi Wardell,
As long as you learn from a mistake, a mistake is not a bad thing. Use each mistake as a lesson taught.
Patricia
I agree with all of this! Having a structured plan cuts down considerably on the number of possible mistakes. However, mistakes will be made and what is more important is how you get past them. Your ultimate goal is your responsibility to your students and making sure that they had the learning experience that they have paid for. You can be embarassed or self-deprecating later. You're not on your own time. Also, Pavlovian Conditioning being what it is, your discomforts over mistakes will prevent you from making them again.
When people use the term "experience" they're referring to stuff they screwed up the first time out.
Hi Gary,
I also like to get constructive feedback from my students about the pros and cons of the class so that I can grow as an instructor.
Patricia
Hi Rebecca,
Based on your experience what would you add to the list?
Patricia
Hi Larry,
A list is good because you really have something to refer to so that you can reflect upon things. Growing as an instructor is an every day job.
Patricia
I follow a similar process: Plan,Monitor, & Re-plan. The most important part of the process is the "monitor" piece. Be aware of what is working in the plan and what is not. That way you can easily make adjustments to better meet the needs of the class. Sometimes making minor course corrections can avoid major issues.
I really liked Professor DeLong's square about getting to doing the right thing well. Sometimes things must be done poorly at first in order to get to doing them well. So keeping a list of what worked in a given situation (problem) and reviewing often helps keep it fresh in your mind. This has enabled me to deal with a number of issues succesfully that innately occur with teaching.
