Practice clarity

Before you can teach something, you have to have a clear understanding for yourself.

HOLY COW. You would think this would be obvious, but sometimes it just is not the case in a classroom. Everyone has experienced a particular lecture, where the instructor just did not really have things completely put together. Hopefully, the teacher just woke up on the wrong side of the bed, or maybe just stayed out too late with "colleagues" the night before. If one lesson, once in a while, gets a little screwy there won't be very many consequences for instructor or the students.

The real problems arise when a lack of clear instruction is a consistent factor in a teacher's performance. Students become confused, impatient, and incredibly frustrated. Interest in the assignment plummets, and students give up on whatever objectives they are supposed to be learning.

As an instructor is is imperative that you are able to work through new technologies and concepts in a logical, step-by-step method. You must be able to answer questions in a clear, concise way without repeating yourself one hundred times. Do not over-complicate things. Keep a new process as simple as possible, only introducing more complexity or separate options after students demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles.


All in all, a teacher should practice explaining. Write out the steps in the order you plan to address them. Maybe even practice your method on a friend or family member to see if your steps are actually as clearly laid out as you think they are. This preparation will make your classroom flow infinitely more smoothly, and students will feel like they have accomplished something new once you have finished.