Psychology 7701: Structure Sheet for Class Planning

STEP 1: PLAN CONTENT

• Plan material to cover
• Organize in logical flow
• Specify summary points
• Create content sheet

STEP 2: DECIDE HOW TO ILLUSTRATE

• Highlight main points and/or key concepts to illustrate.
• Let the material dictate the type of illustration.
• Mix it up. Consider some or all of the following:
  • examples
  • cartoons
  • demonstrations (brief, powerful, practical, commensurate with importance)
  • videos
  • exercises such as games, roleplays
  • quizzes
  • small-group activities or discussions
  • guest speakers
• Note illustrations on content sheet

STEP 3: PLAN USE OF QUESTIONS

• Plan use of questions throughout the session
  • to introduce material
  • to connect to previous material
  • to apply to students' own lives
  • to apply to current events
  • to segue to new material
  • to check understanding (very important at summary points)
  • to summarize "take-home" messages
• Note questions on content sheet

STEP 4: PLAN THE SESSION

• Choose media (board, overheads, PowerPoint, VCR, etc.)
• Allocate time to topics, especially to demos, exercises, discussions
• Reality test: test time limits, demos/exercises, equipment
• Establish Plan B if relying on equipment or anything out of your control

STEP 5: CHOOSE YOUR STRUCTURING MEDIUM

• Experiment to find which media work well for your style and material, e.g.
  • your content sheet
  • an annotated outline
  • index cards
  • slides
• Pick whatever works well to guide you, but not to hide behind

STEP 6: CLASS PREPARATION

• Check your room if possible, or ask specific questions
• Ensure equipment is set up and works properly
• Set up how and where to find help with equipment if needed
• Double-check class materials are in order, e.g. slides, handouts
• Relax, everything is set, including you!

STEP 7: CLASS EXECUTION

• Tell them what you're going to say/do (introduce class plan)
• Say/do it (execute plan)
• Tell them what you said/did (review "take-home messages")

STEP 8: ASSESSMENT AND FOLLOW-THROUGH

• After the session jot down feedback notes for yourself
• Note what worked, what didn't work, hints for the future (cycle through the Kolb model of learning from experience)
• Don't make the mistake of skipping or delaying this important step

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