Planning ahead of time
Planning class material ahead of time is very useful. You just have to be careful to leave "wiggle room". Sometimes I send more time talking about a topic then originally planned since the students are contributing to the topic. The more discussion on a topic the better and you have allow for time for this to happen when you are planning for class.
Andrea,
So true! There can't really be too strict of time frames for sharing content. Different classes have different experiences so each class presents their own unique time frame for getting the content covered. Not to mention the disruptions that may occur such as weather or other such factors that change the schedule.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I so agree. You can do alot of planing but must be ready for the curve ball to be thrown.
You also should have time to share your own personal experiences with your students. what you have learned and seen happen in your years of experience.
Most of the time a individual can learn on a higher level by discussion, conversation, and even hands on. I listen to each and every one of my students and I learn something by listening to them.
This is an excellent point. Like most instructors, I plan my lecture around the course objectives and have certain material I need to cover each day. As the difficulty and/or the interest level of the course increase, I find myself losing time. My classes love to learn more about the topic or simply need more explanation. Over the last couple of years, I have learned to adjust my lecture time to compensate. It can still be a challenge, however.
I totally agree.... I have learned so much by just by sitting back and observing my students.
I always encourage my students to share with the class if they have had an experience relating to the topic we are discussing.
I totally agree with you about being prepared and planning ahead of time. You have to leave room for class participation/discussion as well as anything else that might come up. You don't have to have everything go minute by minute, but having it planned out is nice not only for you as the instuctor but for your students because they know what to expect for the day/night.
Apart from ensuring wiggle room, planning ahead of time can be looked at being prepared to discuss the days' topic. Many times I've seen instructors wing it. They go into the class without any preparation, and off course the students realizes it.
There are times I would hear the students complain that they would ask an instructor a question, and that instructor would either get angry, ignore the student, read the information straight from the text, or say I do not know, without offering to look it up and getting back to the student.
I think, as an instructor one should know the information inside and out, and be able to use examples and illustrations to help the students understand the concepts.
Anna-Maria,
I agree with you. Instructors need to be seen as coordinators of learning and as a result they should be able to share content, experiences and knowledge that furthers the knowledge of students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have found that as an instructor I have grown and my students have taught me how to facilitate. I have noticed that the students engage more and seem to grasp the content best when I allow them to do the lecturing (discussion). I have assigned an objective to a group and asked them to explain it to the class. I will give my point only if it requires further explanation, but they have taught me how to be a better instructor just by listening and not always doing all the talking. Lecture time doesn't always mean we have to lecture and we don't always have to stand at the podium, we can sit in groups with our students too. It allows them to feel comfotable when they are doing the discussion.
Planning ahead of time definitely makes you more relaxed when you are in class and delivery is smoother. students catch on some gaffes instructors make which ultimately boils down to lack of adequate prep.
