Documenting my lessons plans is a great way to stay organized. It helps me make sure I hit all the important topics so my students get the full experience of the class and they are better prepared for future.
Marcia,
I agree with your reasoning for documenting lesson plans. The first reason that you provided, is often overlooked. Lesson plans are a valid form of "evidence" for students that feel that an item was not covered in the course, or for a general review of how learning objectives were taught in the class.
Tremayne Simpson
Too many times I have been asked to substitute for an instructor that did not have a documented lesson plan. Even though I may have been qualified to move the class forward, I was given some "busy work" for the class to complete. This left me essentially filling the role of a babysitter. This is frustrating for me and it really irritates the students. The times that I have been given a lesson plan when I substituted, ended up being a much better experience for both myself and the students.
Documentation allows you to stay on task and make sure you don't forget to cover a topic. Also you can bring a copy into the classroom with you and write down any changes that arise in the lesson, for example if you alotted time in your lesson for a small class and now you are teaching a larger class, what worked for the small class may not work for the large class.
Roger is right on with why you document lesson plans. In addition lesson plans are also helpful when you want to massage the course. If you have a well laid out plan, with notes on how it went, it is easier to subtract and add information. Lesson plans also help with absenteeism, mid-term grade deficiancy reports.
Karen ,
I agree. All instructors wish for perfect attendance each class session, however taking a realistic approach, we know that this is not the case. Therefore, well-structured lesson plans should be available for students, so that they can still keep pace with the class in their absence.
Tremayne Simpson
I think this is is very important. Students do much better when there is a continuity in presentation of the subject from day to day, even if a substitute teacher is required
The purpose of documenting lesson plans is to provide a source document that allows you to redesign current lesson plans and create new lesson plans. This is also important when you are trying train other instructors to teach the same course in multiple classrooms.
I agree totally on your comments, although we expect and desire perfect attendance this is certainly not the case. Having a lesson plan to look back at takes the guess work out of what was covered and assigned. If you are teaching the same class or up to 4 classes a day and possibly an evening class..it would be very difficult to remember off the top of your head what was discussed and assigned.
Not only does documentation of lesson plans provide proof that required materials are being covered, but it also provides a level of consistency from class to class.
It is very vital that we document our lesson plans, so we can follow through the delivery of lesson materials in a very organized and timely manner. Documenting the lesson plans will also give an idea, contents, and procedures to follow just in case when instructor is absent for whatever reason/s.
This section has caused the light to go on in my head. As a clinical instructor, I haven't been documenting what I'm going over with students at different levels in the program at different hospitals. I need to take the time to document my lesson plans and organize them, which will save tremendous time in the on-coming terms. It also allows me to know where I've been and add to the current lesson plans, which helps with time management.
I could not be an effective instructor without documenting my procedures and lectures. It is a fundamental part of my process. Each time I teach a course I add and subtract, my goal being to stay current. Also, I would get bored following the same path for ever.
My filing cabinet is organized by each day. Our term is set up for 10 class periods. This keeps me organized. I'm a fan of the filing cabinet.
Documenting lessons plans is neccessary for easy reference at a time when you may want to change your teaching strategies. Of course, they are helpful when a substitute must take over your class or when admistrators want to discuss your class objectives and methods.
I am a newer instructor and have never thought to document my lesson plan. I am going to start as of now though! Especially in my program I am bound to teach the same course several times and having a tamplate for my class will save time when planning.
Stephen,
Excellent point, unfortunately it is often overlooked. It is important that instructors focus on ensuring that they are not bored with their own material, in order to avoid a potential "trickle down" effect to their students.
Tremayne Simpson
Adrienne,
In addition, as a newer instructor, it is a great idea to establish a network with the instructors within your discipline. Sharing lesson plans and strategies, can definitely assist you with the planning and revision of future courses.
Tremayne Simpson
Keeping documentation of lesson plans allows me to plan for teaching the course again. Equally important, as a reflective practice I can evaluate the course and my instruction to improve my teaching strategies. Finally, it is very beneficial for a substitute teacher to keep the course current in my absence.
The purpose of documenting my lesson plans is to see what was done in the unit, and be able to make adjustments in the future. After teaching each unit I can go back and make notes on the plan as to what I liked or if I need to change time lengths to certain areas. For example if I had an in class assignment I gave them 15 minutes to finish, and half of them finished in 10, I can note this in reflection and plan next time on less time for the project and more time for say lecture.
I also document in case I have a student or administrator ask to see what has been going on in class for a certain day or week. It helps my students stay on track if they miss a day.
