Get Your Students Hired
I'm very new to this teaching gambit and I (as I'm sure others who have been in my shoes) am extremely excited, nervous, dreading, and can't wait for my first class! I am getting everything prepared to the best of my ability and am running through every detail with a fine toothed comb. Of course I am still concerned with the thought of having forgotten something. Any tips and tid bits that may be of help?
For myself I like to know at least 3 weeks in advance what I am going to teach, this way I can lay out my syllabus, glance through the text, look to see what skills I will be teaching in my clinical classes. Once I have done this I prepare my binder for the class according to the way I am going to teach. This includes my daily lesson plans for the term, the activities I am planning for each unit, quizzes, the clinical skills I plan to teach in the unit. I make sure that I review all of the material before day one, this way on the first day of class I can walk in knowing that I am prepared for the day. This does not mean there may be a bump in the road of my plans but I can move on smoothly instead of panicking. This method has been very helpful to me. I also use my colleagues as a sounding board if I am unsure of something. I hope this I helpful.
Gloria
Sherry,
It is a simple but highly effective tool to guide you in not forgetting to cover certain items as you move through the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I jumped in without a check list and I can now see why this is a good tool. I am going to start using one.
Melissa,
Great advice, thanks for sharing it with us. This will be of help to new instructors getting settled into their role as learning leaders and representatives of their careers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Take a deep breath and remember, they're probably nervous too. You know you're field, you are the professional. From the moment you walk in, you are their role model. Keeping a checklist is imperative. I check them off as I go. I try to do my lesson plans two weeks at a time so I have a plan. Remember, you're human. So if things don't go exactly as planned, it's OK. "Keep calm, and pretend it's on the lesson plan". No one will know you didn't cover everything you planned to that day. Just make sure you cover it the next and move on. You're going to make mistakes, figure out what works, and what doesn't, and after a while you'll look back at how far you've come in teaching. And most importantly, love what you do and have fun. It makes a difference.
Anna,
I wouldn't put my test dates in the syllabus. I would put all of the relevant information in it and then develop a course calendar that gives when projects are due, quizzes will be given, dates when classes will not meet for spring/fall breaks, etc.. This way I have permanent content in my syllabus and then I can adjust my calendar as needed. On the course calendar you can even put the tentative dates in and let the students know when those dates are going to become permanent. As you learn to gauge the flow of your content you will be able to fix the dates much easier.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Virginia,
Thanks for sharing the value of using a checklist. I have taught for many years and I still use my checklist to make sure I am covering all of the elements I want to as I start a class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I used little board notes off to one side so my students could see that during a topic of discussion I would go back and cover the board notes and then put a check mark thru the item. This showed the students a means of keeping track of items covered and many times inspired more questions to come up.
I am having some trouble creating my syllabus for my first class. I do not know how fast I will get through the material. Should I set tentative test dates and move them depending on what material I want on the test or should I leave the dates and change the test to only include what has been covered?
I have learned that having a checklist was vital to getting the information out to my students. Of course I forgot to add certain information but I added it to my checklist for my future students.
Gary,
Be yourself is good advice to follow and practice. Projecting a confident air and showing that you are the learning leader goes a long way in establishing the mood of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Just be yourself and be real to your students. I have found that acting like you have known them forever makes them feel great and close to you. You will find that you will get along with them much better and things will flow very well most of the time.
Peter,
Good plan. I wish you much success on your first day. With your preparation and confidence I know you are going to do well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am also preparing for my first day of teaching. I have been preparing by learning my course content and also by writing many notes of what to make sure that I cover for my students. I don't want to miss any topics on my first time around.
Lyndsie,
Put together a check list and have it where you can see it your first class meeting. This will reduce somewhat your nerves as you will be able to follow the list knowing you are not going to forget anything on the list. Trust me you will forget something we all do so just make a joke of it, smile and move on. The students will understand and appreciate the fact you have worked to hard to prepare for your class. You will do fine because you have the dedication needed to be successful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.