Every class we find some mistakes that we did, so the next class we should eliminate the same mistakes and be aware that we should learn from that mistake and will not happen again. If you catch yourself doing same mistakes well, something is wrong. One thing also is by listening to our fellow instructors, we can learn from their mistakes.
Hi Thomas,
A list does help to keep you on point. I am known as the sticky note queen. My sticky notes keep me on point. I also prepare a week in advanced for my classes.
Patricia
I use lists to work off of daily: If it is not on my list I will most likely miss it. I try to keep bout 4-5 pieces of paper with my lists on them. Practice practice practice.
Thank you for your question. One strategy would be to have good preparation, which would include "over-preparing" for the course. This way you will have extra material if the case should arise. Also, to be organized with a neat desk is very important. Students may question your ability as an instructor if your professional space is very disruptive. Also, focus on your length and depth of experience as a Subject Matter Expert and not on your inexperience or newness as a teacher. Most significant of all, if you do make a mistake, make note of it and how it was resolved to avoid reoccurrence.
Use mistakes as a learning tool. Explain to the students that as long as we learn from our mistakes we can prevent them from happening in the future.
Hi Beth,
As an old instructor, we make mistakes too. I have been teaching for more than 21 years and from time to time I still make mistakes. Learn from them and move on...
Patricia
Hi Phillip,
I just had a comical reaction when I read "Some-Heimers". I like the newly created term. I definitely will use this. What a great way to add humor...
Patricia
Hi Andrew,
It is always best to have too much than too little. It is easy to cut, but it is a lot harder to get when you don't have.
Patricia
I tend to refer to these moments as "Some-Heimers" ... since it does not happen all the time. Definitely gets a comical reaction when there are Medical Assistant students in my classroom.
As a new instructor, we all will make mistakes. The only problem is if we not learn from them. Something that may have worked with other classed , could turn into a huge mistake or failed activity. As an instructor I learn something new everyday
Thanks Ms. Scales--and I think once instructors realize it doesn't take them a lot of time to learn about these updates and how it makes them look better to the students, it will become a part of their class preparation routine.
Hi Josef,
I teach computer classes, and believe me when you learn all the answers, they change all the questions. Computers are forever changing. Things are to be updated continously.
Patricia
I strongly agree with you
Great thouth. A lot of classes are based on information that is forever changing. It looks great to students if you update information in a book or manual. It shows you are interested in the subject and good at it as a professional. Many jornatls and newspapers and websites provide updates in many fields.
Know exactly what topics need to be covered - know the exams (prevent any surprises - uncovered or undercovered topics on the exams). Get a spreadsheet and pace the classes down to the day throughout the entire module (leave a couple of floating days for holidays in case you want to replicate a well-paced class - and if you want to have some sponge days to cover a topic the students may be having trouble with.)
Overplanning is always a good idea, especially in a new course, even if one has been teaching for a while. If I have a lot of material, I can always put the most important first, and if time does not permit all of it the lesson, I can edit the least important part, save it for another time. The next semester, I can decide,when planning, whether to change thing or to omit those things that didn't fit.
Hi Gail,
You are absolutely correct. Letting students know you are a first-time instructor is sharing too much information. Students are looking for you to mess up when this is made known to them. You give a lot of ammunition when this is revealed; students will examine you closely.
Patricia
I have a ten commandments list and the number one commandment is always go to class prepared. Lisa
Do not let your students know that you are a first time instructor. I made that mistake and I had several students who took advantage of me and I was losing my convidence and control of the class.
Hi Maria,
As educators, it is a must to be professional. We are always under microscope. Students imitate what they see...good or bad.
