Preparation is key
I find that being prepared for the day’s lesson plan is essential.
I try to get to the class room well before the students arrive, write the date and objectives for the day on the white board along with any activities or tests we will be doing.
I then gather all the items that I would like to pass around and organize them neatly in an area that I can easily access them. Review the lesson plan in my head and make notes on key points that I want to cover. I then take a quick mental break.
By getting things together ahead of time, relieves a lot of the stress and anxiety I used to get when I was a new instructor. It prepares me to go into the day with a confident feeling that I know the material, can answer any question that may arise, and can deliver it with enthusiasm.
Hi Michael,
Sounds like a good plan for being ready when the class starts since you have done a preflight walk through that gets you ready for day.
Gary
Hey Mike,
I agree that good preparation is one of the main keys to being successful in the class room. A well prepared sylabus is always a good idea. With that said, you must always be prepared enough and know your subject matter well enough to make adjustments. At our campus you may be called upon to fill in for another instructors class and take off on the lesson from where ever they were. they may be behind or ahead of the schedule and you must adjust accordingly. If you are proficcient your lecture will appear very professional and the students will respond well. If you come across as not being up to speed, the students will not be impressed in the least. Another point that I am trying to convey in this response is the value of being flexible. Flexibility should not be understated by any means because it is only achieved by preparation and study of your material.
