Having a Plan
The first quiz asked what the instructor needs to manage a class effectively. One option was "have a plan and stick to it". But the correct answer was "have a variety of learning activities to offer". I agree that this promotes effective class management, but I would respectfully suggest that having a plan promotes effective class management *better* than varied learning activities.
Let me put it this way: Having the students do one or two boring assignments in an otherwise engaging course is far less damaging to classroom management than not having a plan.
Though I do agree that the "stick to it" part is not critical, and if that was their point then I agree. It's good to have some flexibility in your plan so that you can adapt based on student input and other discoveries in the classroom.
My two bits anyway.
I agree. I also picked "have a plan and stick to it" and was surprised to find that it was not the correct answer. I think having a plan is very effective and "sticking to it" does not necessarily mean being rigid in your teaching style. I have been in a class where there was not any apparent plan and it was very disjointed and difficult as we did not know what was expected, what was going on, etc. I think having a variety of learning activities would be something to include in the plan.
having a plan is not always the best choice...I have found that some students need variety...especially if the class requires hands on labs
Hi Leah,
I love having a plan. I am unable to function effectively if I do not have a plan. Everyone wins with a plan, the students and instructor alike.
Patricia Scales
I agree. Having a plan and using it successfully in 3 classes I thought I had the ideal plan. The next class challenged this assumption. I needed to be flexible and try it again in another way.
In hindsight this made me a better teacher. Future classes will have an even bigger plan I didn't know I needed.
Hi Mary,
Students can help you plan your lessons successfully.
Patricia Scales
This was the question that bothered me as well for the same reason. I suspect you are correct in that the point is that with all true and false type questions, if part of the answer is false then the whole answer in false, and in this case, the pragmatism needed to be able to change a plan if it is not working is the part that made that statement not the best choice.
