Outline
I think it's important to have an outline of materials that I want to cover in each class - I encourage open discussion in my classes - and sometimes although we talk about topics related to what we are educating students in - it may be off from what we are talking about that day in class - therefore having that outline helps me be sure that I am presenting all necessary material and not missing things which are important for students to learn. Students seem to appreciate that as well - since they then feel well prepared.
I find an outline of the day to day class is a great time management tool.
Hi Heather,
You make a good point concerning the need for an outline. The outline keeps the class centered so when a discussion may take off in another direction the outline reminds everyone that we need to get back to our central theme. This way the material that needs to be covered gets covered.
Gary
I am very passionate about the subject I teach that I may go off on a tangent. The course outline helps me to keep my tangents to a minimum and/or to steer me back in the right direction.
The outline can be the powerpoint presentation to keep the whole class on targer.
