Consistency in teaching. I often teach the same material as several other instructors throughout the day. The structure of the lesson plan allows us all to be on the same page and delivering a virtaully identical educational experience for all of our students.
I like to document my lessons then I can make notes on what was most sucessful for the lesson that day. Then and I can add or take away what I feel did or didnt work for the next time I use that lesson.
Larry,
Do you and your fellow instructors collaborate and create standardized curricula for your courses?
Tremayne Simpson
Julie,
This is a great observation. Sometimes instructors only focus on what "works" in a lesson plan and spend less time focusing on the items that did not "work". At the end of each of my class sessions, I perform a "self critique", in that I review my notes to see how I can explain a concept more effectively for the next time.
Tremayne Simpson
A documanted lesson plan allows you the ability to attain consistency. They are a great tool to use to revisit and refine what and how we teach. By keep documantation it becomes much easier to look at past lesson plans for guidance when revising or creating new ones.
I document my lesson plans for several reasons as well. It helps me remain consistent in how and when I deliver material to my class. I could use adjust previous lesson plans after determining what well and what areas need improvement. I also document lesson plans so that substitute teachers can stay in line with the course outline.
Jeremiah,
In addition, documented lesson plans can be used to assist other instructors that are teaching the course for the first time. We have an option on our school's Faculty Portal, which gives instructors an opportunity to share their assignments and activities with other teachers.
Tremayne Simpson
andrew,
How do you disseminate your lesson plans to students? Do you post them electronically (via a student portal) or provide the plans to the students in class?
Tremayne Simpson
In case a student is absent from class, the lesson plan provides a good reference to help the student with missed information. Also, I like to have a document on file for review when accrediting bodies review the curriculum. The documentation also serves as a source of organization and frame for the class.
Allows me to stay on task, allows others to come in and teach right where I left off.
I taught before my current job, but I never did lesson plans. With this job, I felt that I wanted to improve by creating formalized lesson plans. I've kept up with it for the most part.
For me, it helped me cover all the material and think about how to deliver it. I created better questions for the readings because I listed them before hand. On the days there is a lesson plan, and an outline of what i'm doing that day, I feel better fit to teach. I feel more confident in my teaching.
it also helps me not get diverted too much.
There are multiple reasons for documenting lesson plans. They allow for consistency in presenting material to multiple sections of the same class. They can be shared with substitutes and with other instructors. We do allow for class materials to be shared between instructors. They can also be easily revised to account for new material. I always am looking for new, contemporary examples to supplement the material, and can use the lesson plan document to determine the best place for the additions.
Diana,
Does your institution have a method for document and file-sharing for faculty members?
Tremayne Simpson
Brenda,
I agree that lesson plans provides students with reference information. I store all course lesson plans on our faculty portal and provide students with descriptive captions, so that they are able to differentiate the daily lessons. Also, they can look ahead and ask questions about upcoming lessons.
Tremayne Simpson
Marshall,
Now that you have been utilizing lesson plans, you can use them as "timelines" to review your progress, periodically.
Tremayne Simpson
It provides all the information to all those involve in the education process. Student, faculty, admin., and so on.
Nicholas ,
What methods do you use to document your lesson plans? Are instructor lesson plans share "publicly" (via the faculty portal) at your institution?
Tremayne Simpson
I agree. It is nice to know where you should be and when you should be there. Often times, different instructors can teach the same course in an entirely different way and knowing where they are headed through the lesson makes covering a course much easier.
Jason,
Generally, do the instructors at your institution review peer lesson plans to ensure that all fo the sections are moving at the same pace?
Tremayne Simpson
I find that documenting my lesson plans keep me focus on the topic at hand, keeps the class engaged in the topic. The lectures and activities are timed to avoid long lectures.
