Time management for instructors
Being an effective instructor means to being able to constructively use your time wisely. What do you think?
I totally agree. Without efficient use of time any instructor or worker in general is not being all they can be.
-Jeff
Thank you for the prompting, Robert. Yes, time management is critical for being an effective instructor. I have so many things I wish to accomlish, but I do not accomplish all of them. My boss suggests (in a kindly voice), "Phil, work smarter, not harder."
I agree that the instructor should be able to implement their time management skills. Sometimes a small regularly scheduled break will allow you to slightly alter your plans to create additional material.
There were times when I was ready to proceed to the next topic and realized my students did not have a full understanding of the subject matter. Therefore, I had to construct or alter my plans to elaborate further. I would use my break time to create additional class assignments or find power-point slides that would aid me in providing my students with a clearer explaination.
I think it works the other way as well. When the students really get into a topic, it helps to have had an idea of where you're going next--in case some of the content needs to be adapted for the class. For example, in my sociology class, the students' personalities have a strong effect on what issues we tend to focus on. Sometimes we get to everything on the lesson plan, other times not. But being able to work whatever we cover into the overall course objectives might be another aspect of time management.
Yes instructors need time to organize themselves for the next day ect. At my school we dont get addional time so i have to do it on at my house. I had to think out of the box to help the students understand the subjects something the understand or to know a word. there was an insterment in dental called bin angle chistle, so Bin Ladin was a referal to remember, it was taller than the other chisles.
I agree, but how do you figure out time management. And then what do you do if students figure out topics faster/ slower than what you intended?
Scheduled break time I think is crucial. It is useful on the instructor's end for many things as you pointed out. It's great for the students too. Sometimes they need to step away and take a breather from the concept that is completely sending their minds for a spin, come back refreshed to try again.
Good time management is an essential skill for self directed workers. As highly educated workers our students need to learn from the instuctor tiem management as part of the course and observing the instuctor using those techniques.
I agree 100% with time management. 22 years of Air Force pounded this into me and I use it as a home health nurse daily. I use this technique to keep the class lecture on schedule and labs so the student get maximum benefits from each. Planning the week in advance is my key.
I agree, but I also think that instructors with differing strengths and weaknesses can further develop ways to use time wisely. I struggle with organization and that can slow me down, minimizing effectiveness and leaving a bad impression with students. To address that, I prepare as many handouts, tests and quizzes as I can ahead of time and store them carefully. I also have utilized a big, well-organized class 3-ring binder for slide presentation printouts, the class calendar and other information. This has helped very much to manage an otherwise enormous number of factors affecting my management.
Haveing a set time line is a must for the classrrom and the labs,helps to keep the students and the instructor on task; so if the class or instructor gets side tracked for a few minutes, picking up where the class left off will be fairly simple.
Also, staying on task and sticking to a time line shows the student that the instructor is organized and knowledgable about the subject and will show the importance of a time line to the students.
Hi James:
Good points; we can model to our students the importance of timeliness and prepardeness. Students appreciate knowing what expectations are desired of them, and time limits are one of those components.
Regards, Barry
Time is not easy to manage with a group, sometimes a topic takes longer than planned. A break seems like a loss, but maybe a short breather allows for reexamination by the instructor of the content that students need to grasp.
Hi Faith:
I agree - group work usually takes more time. So planning what needs to occur in the allotted time is essential, with outcomes defined and measurable.
Regards, Barry
Hi Mark:
Good. We can be role models of managing our time, or really, it's managing ouselves (since we all have the same 24 hous per day).
Regards, Barry
Hi Christopher:
Another thing good time management can help the instructor with is anticipating questions that might come up during the discussion period. Knowing the questions that may come up in advanced can be a powerful tool to the instructor's preparedness.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kimberly:
The "bag of tricks" idea is a great way to make sure we are using our time to the fullest. If instructors ever find they are finishing up too early, there may have been something left out that lesson.
Regards, Barry
James, I know how the students actually appreciate us placing some boundaries and limits on the work. I would not have realized this until I saw how they react to it. They want to know FULL expectations.
Debra Touhey
Hi Shannon,
I know how important breaks are to my students. I think most of them are very tired after work, (most of them are working students), and need to catch a snack, etc. I make sure that I provide a break for them.
Debra Touhey
