Joseph Wilson

Develop an effective lesson plan, and plan and rehearse the presentation. 

There are several things that need to be addressed before/during the first class, including adequate preparation for all aspects of the class, rehearsing the first-day agenda, having a proper syllabus to inform the students of the course, and creating an exercise to put the students at ease and on the right track. 

It is impossible to overstate the importance of adequate preparation.  Look at all aspects of the course from the student's perspective and ask yourself if you would be comfortable in the learning environment you created.

This module addressed several important ideas for teachers.  The "5 Cs", the different roles of the teacher, the notes on self-awareness, and the ideas of professionalism will all serve me well in my teaching capacity.

Classroom support materials and assessments should support the educational journey to the achievement of course objectives.  They should facilitate and support learning objectives and standards.

Rationale, objectives, and standards are all important elements of your lesson plan.  They need to be integrated and mutually supportive so that your teaching can meet the educational goals of the course and the institution.

Lesson plans are a crucial part of the teaching process.  By thinking through and documenting the process of teaching every class, you cover all essential information in an efficient way, and you prepare for all eventualities: continuity, administrative requirements, unforeseen circumstances, etc.

Understanding the level of knowledge of the students that your students have will help you develop lesson plans that will better meet the learning objectives. 

I gained a greater appreciation for the ways by which specific test types met learning objectives.  I had never given much thought to how certain tests addressed learning objectives, but now I know that I can better address learning objectives by creating the appropriate assessment.

Formative and Summative Assessments are key to keeping the learning process on track, over both the short-term and long-term.  Instructors must align these assessments with the learning objectives.