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Expect the unexpected Posted on June 6th, 2008 by Steve Champion As I set up the electronics for the audio-visuals, the students began to arrive. Placing the LCD projector on the table, I went back to the packing box for the power cable. You know the one… it’s the cord with the unique female plug that connects the projector to the wall outlet. It was not there. Can you believe it? An essential part for the class is missing. Whoever used it last forgot to put the cord back with the projector. What do you do now?
Can you believe that this “oh no” situation happened to me three different times? Yes, three different times in three different cities for three different groups, the cable was missing from the supplied projector. When things go wrong, you need some reaction time. “How early should I arrive before the scheduled start time?” While there may be some variables in the minutes and hours based on familiarity with the venue and the equipment, I like to have everything set at least an hour before the start time. If I am going to a new room in a new town, I like to see the set-up the day before when possible. That gives a cushion that I have used to rearrange the room, change my approach to the interactive parts of the program (due to room restrictions), make a run to Kinko’s or Circuit City and, of course, time to check the electronics. Here is a room checklist that I use:
If you would like to add to this list or share your ideas, please do so.  Printer Friendly Version
 3 Comments Thanks Steve for the great list of supplies to have on hand before class as well as the getting prepared list. Being a new instructor, this helps me out alot. The first 2 classes I taught went really well. The last class was a nightmare. First, our AE took the laptop with the powerpoint in it. We had a bad storm roll through that night just at the start of my class, knocking out our power and internet. Finally, the power came back on, but the internet kept going off and on. That night was the final straw for our association. We decided at the next board meeting to have all of our teaching equipment updated. (Thanks Pug for the list.) Comment by Sue A. Harris-McClain — June 14, 2008 @ 11:35 am Steve….thanks for the great checklist for instructors. Sounds like the cord thing is just following you around, doesn’t it? :o) Sometimes if the room is set for a large number but the attendance is a lot less…I put tent cards on the back rows that say “reserved for role playing participants”. Of course, at some point I have to come clean and tell the truth….hopefully, the students find the humor! I always worry about the people who will actually sit back there anyway…. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us.. Sandra Tanksley Comment by Sandra Tanksley — June 27, 2008 @ 1:34 pm |
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Hello Steve,
Thanks for sharing this great list! Each time I am preparing to go instruct, I “make a list”. I think I am going to use your list and make room for “Other” to add things for each specific occassions.
I found myself without my notebook for a class one time! Wow was I stressed! But I just used a student handout and “winged” it!
Do you find that some places you instruct, it is “frowned” upon for you to change the room (tables) around?
What kind of music have you found that people seem to like best? I have been trying some out and I am getting different comments on the different types of music. Creedance Clearwater was a hit last week!
Thanks for all your stories and comments, I thoroughly enjoy them!
Comment by Susan Barnette — June 6, 2008 @ 10:47 pm