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Summary: A well structured lesson plan is important for new instructors for many reasons. First, a solid lesson plan will help the instructor better understand the materials he or she will be presenting. Second, a lesson plan can be used as a tool outline the short-, mid- and long-term goals of the course being taught. Third, a lesson plan is important for new instructors because it helps the instructor conceptualize how different aspects of the course work together. Finally, a lesson plan can help an instructor better prepare other materials and/or equipment that will assist students in their learning. Understanding. Taking the time to properly structure a lesson plan is often as important for new instructors as it is for the learners he or she will be teaching. Considering the materials will often force an instructor to evaluate his or her own abilities in the areas to be taught. For example, I struggle with tenses and it would be important for me to carefully consider any lesson plan relating to tenses and to make an honest evaluation of my ability to clearly and accurately teach the materials. On the other hand, a certain topic may come more easily to an instructor and require less study on the part of the instructor. Goal Setting. When outlining a lesson plan, a new instructor should carefully consider what the goals of the class (and individual students) are. A lesson plan can be macro – covering the entirety of the course – or it can be more micro – covering only the materials of a given class. Macro and micro lesson plans need to be compatible given the overall objective do the course. A new instructor who dedicates time to reviewing lesson plans will have a better idea of what is expected of the instructor, the individual students, and of the course. Conceptualization. The third thing that a lesson plan can help a new instructor with is in conceptualizing the order in which materials should be taught. Basic grammar skills should be taught before more complex matters. Often grammar skills build upon one another. As such, it is important that student have a firm understanding of the basics before moving on. A well-considered lesson plan will help a new instructor better understand the big picture of the course and to place emphasis on ensuring students have the proper tools to move forward in their studies. Preparation. New instructors may not fully appreciate the need to consider what materials are required to teach a given subject. A well-constructed lesson plan will help instructors consider what materials might be needed for each class and to properly prepare. Furthermore, a lesson plan could help a new instructor request needed equipment. For example, while reviewing a lesson plan, an instructor might note that a topic is best taught using videos. This realization should prompt the instructor seek out the appropriate resources to show the needed video. Conclusion. As discussed, the importance of lesson planning for new instructors cannot be understated. A lesson plan can help a new instructor with: (i) understanding the materials he or she will be teaching, (ii) setting proper goals, (iii) material integration, and (iv) ensuring that appropriate materials and resources are available for the class. A new instructor should not be overly confident in his or her ability improvise course instruction. While using the lesson plans of others can be a great way to begin, it is important that new instructors take the time to tailor lesson plans to the needs of the instructor, the specific students, and the course.
