Preparing Yourself for the Classroom | Origin: ED105
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Instructional Planning for Student Success --> Preparing Yourself for the Classroom
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
I feel it is so important as a leader and instructor it's important to be prepared because not only are you feeding the minds of our future but you are the example of how they should be. It also sets the tone of the level of respect they should bring to the classroom and the work they put in.
The truth is you never stop teaching. I think about things outside of the class or experience life things that I bring into the class for discussion or even humor.
Taking time to prepare is crucial to one being an instructor. Visuals can also help students.
This module reminded me how important it is to stay flexible as an instructor. Student groups can change quickly, and being aware of who is in our classrooms helps us adjust how we teach and support them. I really like the idea of taking a short pause during class to simply observe how students are working, interacting, and engaging can tell us a lot. I also plan to keep my classroom and lab spaces more organized so students can easily find what they need and stay focused on learning.
Having all class materials organized for students can increase engagement and decrease distractions
I really am passionate about teaching but it takes a village. To be well prepared is having funds allocated correctly and fairly so that every instructional staff member has to opportunity to bring their best instructional style forward.
I felt that it was great information, It reassured me that I have been doing the right things for the last three years. It also reminded me that on occasion I might be a bit of the " Drill instructor" Being a police officer for 33 years. I have changed my instruction style to accommodate a broader spectrum of students.
To become a more proficient instructor- time management is crucial. Being prepared for class with all materials ready to be handed out will increase confidence in the students and their success in the class. Maintaining an organized classroom and keeping control is crucial for a class to run smoothly
Understanding strengths and weakness. Watching and observing other instructors.
I like the 20 sec rule of observation-it can provide an approach to the class dynamics in many ways for effective teaching approaches. Group dynamics vary a great deal
Always be prepared and organized before class to maximize any valuable time that you have to work with your students in teaching, showing and sharing skills and experiences of working in your field to keep your class engaged in their learning.
As an instructor I noticed that sometimes I have the Drill Instructor mentallity ( being a Veteran) and sometimes I stand back to watch the students to see how they are progressing and what discussions they are are having to basically impliment the 20 second step back approach
Being prepare in the class is so important. I am going to reach this goal by reviewing the lesson plan, gathering all necessary materials, and making sure my objectives are clear. I think about how to engage my students.
I like the idea of having people come into the classroom and guest teach. I also have an unpublished section in my canvas course where I write down notes about things that I want to update / change for next year. This helps me to remember what I need to change when the time comes again.
Observe the teaching styles of other instructors is good so you can see different approaches to teaching while developing your own instructional style. By observing other instructors, you can see how they practice student management, instructional delivery, and content selection. Research has shown that an instructor's personality can have a major impact on the retention and progression of student learners. As an instructor, I need to be aware of how your personality impacts students. Identify your personality strengths so they can be made a part of my professional development. There are certain requirements of all instructors and being in front of a class is one of them. You need to develop a competency of skills in this area. Respect. Being prepared, organized, and ready to teach are ways of demonstrating respect for your students. They know you want them to be successful and are working hard to set up a positive learning environment.
having the classroom/lab prepped and organized shows a direct example of professionalism for the students that they will pick up as well
Class preparation is the key and how to present to students with variety of activities. Making sure you meet all needs and different learning styles.
While I believe that all teaching styles can impart learning to students, the effectiveness of each approach varies based on the needs of the students. I typically work with students in the developmental level of math, which tends to come with a lot of nervousness and apprehension. With those types of demographics, the statue or drill instructor teaching styles tend to minimize success. Students will be bored by an instructor who simply reads from the textbook or slides and are far less likely to engage with the material (which they'll likely find to be equally boring). Drill instructors, even in trying to instill discipline and rigor, will come across as intimidating, will drive wary students away. Any student who had doubts about whether college was a good idea will quickly decide that they're not up to the challenge and could withdraw.
Similarly, my combination of Zen and Socratic could come across as boring or even condescending if I were in a position of teaching advanced students in upper level mathematics. The need to ease students into the material and reduce anxiety might be completely unnecessary.
I really love what I do, and I've noticed that it shows in the classroom. Students can tell if their teacher cares about their education and future. I've realized that being early and staying organized makes a big difference, helping students feel more at ease with their learning. When I'm prepared and show I’m invested in their success, it creates a supportive vibe that makes them more comfortable and engaged.
