Get Your Students Hired
In this topic i see how is importante to have a good estructure for the class. Paying attention on the details and organize your classroom really will make the diference when an instructor teach your class!!!
The idea of placing the students in small groups at tables randomly placed around the room but all facing the front really appealed to me. It would focus on instruction but allow for small group discussion of the material.
Sandra,
this is true & it can also help you know how to get to those students who are struggling in an easier way.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Being organized: yes, an absolute must. Have all your stuff laid out, ready to go. Try to avoid having to run out to make copies or realizing you don't have something you need. Have it all lined up and your class runs smoothly. Also, put the day's agenda on the board and check things off as you go. The students then see that you are organized.
I'm lucky in that my classrooms are very flexible, and I vary the seating from activity to activity. Sometimes theater seating, sometimes small groups, sometimes a big circle, sometimes partner work. Whatever fits the activity.
Some students have a hard time when the instructor is not organize the classroom will not function correctly.
When I taught my first class I was advised to sit at the tables with the students, there were four. As the weeks went on I realized that I was not being respected. The students were all fresh out of high school and not mature enough and would talk over me and to each other way to much. Maybe they sensed that I was unsure of myself. One day I got to class early and rearranged the tables with me at a head of the table and place cards rearranging the students so they would not take it personally. Things began to change after that and I was able to command respect and actually teach.
Unfortunately, we are not able to move seating in our class. Usually, I move students out of the corners and towards the front of the class. Most prefer a set between themselves and other students.
Shane,
not necessarily always. I like to utilize the horseshoe or U shape if I'm going to incorporate discussion into my lecture.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Debbie,
so true & I also try to keep announcements to a minimum. Obviously there are times to discuss these things in class to clarify, answer questions, but overall we should utilize the school's LMS, etc for announcements, info.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I absolutely agree. I try to be as prepared as I can be before I start class. Monitor on, notes out, handouts ready, erase board pens available, etc. If I spend time getting ready to start my class subject while the students are sitting there watching me, they tend to start talking and I've already lost some of their attention. I feel my credibility is diminished as I always stress being prepared! You can never be over prepared. Be a good example.
If you look organize then the students will jump on broad. Now It is a little hard to assign seats to adults so I see nothing wrong with them finding their own seat
I too have the same problem. I tech technology classes and always in the same room. I do not have any choice with moving the classroom around given that the connections are all to one side and the size of the room did not give much options. But I did take the opportunity move shelves that was against one wall to another corner of the room and add work tables for the students to work on. This gave them more work area to work on computers. Which the students really appreciated. So, perhaps looking for something like that in the room to move around just to add a little change.
I taught a class where the students were seated at their computer and after several iterations of the class I moved the computer behind the student so they were not able to access the computer while we were in lecture. Worked great! Wish I wuld have moved them earlier.
Johan,
and ease of discussion with one another is just as important as with me.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree and try to set up the classroom in a student centered approach. Don't make it feel like just a lecture.
Frank,
I've found that if I'm disorganized it can hamper my credibility in the subject matter.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.