The Art of Lesson Planning

I'm fairly new to teaching-only about 1 1/2 years to date, and this is the very first time I've ever been introduced to the A S S U R E method of lesson planning. I've been using the "effective lesson plan" format since I've started at GPSS, and now that I think about it, it really is just a check list. You never have to elaborate nor do you have to write any part of your lesson plan in great detail. The drawback to this is that if someone else were to read my lesson plan and attempt to deliver it in my absence, chances are it won't be very effective! The effective lesson plan format is undoubtedly more simplified and requires less writing, less typing; however, in the end it really isn't very effective at all.
So what does it take to write an effective lesson plan? One of my mentors had advised me to always keep the end in mind when writing lesson plans. What do I want my students to learn from my lesson? What objectives will they meet through my lesson, and how do I deliver my lesson in a way that I reach all types of learners? And...how will I assess if learning has actually taken place? As I've stated before, the lesson plan I was first introduced to was basically a check list. The ASSURE lesson plan format goes above and beyond what I have been accustomed to, and I look forward to using it from here on out.
But before I go on about how I love the newly introduced method of lesson planning, let me first explain how I wasn't the biggest fan in the beginning. Using the ASSURE lesson plan required me to really take a lot of time to evaluate ALL my students and figure out not only what I want to teach but also how I'm going to teach it. After analyzing my students, I had to state objectives, select instructional methods, use appropriate media/technology, require students to participate, and then evaluate and revise my lesson to improve it for future use.
I like to think that I'm innovative and creative in my methods of teaching, but just from writing this one assignment, I've discovered that I have so many more options and so much I can incorporate into each lesson to really bring every idea to life. Another thing I've found to be most helpful is the last part of the ASSURE model: EVALUATE & REVISE! Within the few months I've been in this Fast Track cohort, I've heard many times that a great teacher always reflects on each day and revisits what worked for that day as well as what didn't work so well. An effective teacher then revises the lesson to make it better and more effective.
Last Saturday, we all gave short snippets of what our lesson plan was about and how we intended to teach what it is we said we would teach. This little bit of sharing has proven to be invaluable. It allowed each of us to get feedback from each other as well as from our professor. This enabled me to fine tune my lesson plan and anticipate any problems along the way (i.e. privacy issues with students disclosing GWA bill information).
Going back to the planning stages of my lesson plan one of the things that stands out the most is the need to incorporate technology into my classroom. I realize that students in this day and age are surrounded by different technology and media that we (teachers) are competing more than ever to keep their attention and motivation in the classroom. To ensure that kids stay motivated, we must move with the times and utilize the appropriate media and technology. In this case, my students are using computers to record and graph their data. Giving our students the opportunity to use and appreciate technology is an excellent way to cater to the needs of our diverse classrooms (NET*S 2A).
I thoroughly enjoyed this assignment as a whole, but if I had to choose just one aspect of it that I liked the best it would have to be the idea of using another model all together. I'm usually a creature of habit, and anything that opens up the door to change and creativity is always a plus in my book. On the flip side, the one thing I disliked was the fact that it takes longer to use this model than the one I've been accustomed to using; however, the pros definitely outweigh my one con, and it'll only help me become a more creative, dynamic teacher.
Overall, I would say this was definitely a successful (and ongoing) learning experience. I've always appreciated my teachers, but now I've developed a much more intense appreciation for what they do. Planning is definitely an art form I hope to develop to the best of my ability and even then...I hope to continue to improve my teaching methods. And then...I believe it would be fitting to say my lesson plans are indeed "effective lesson plans."

Reference

National Educational Technology Standard 2A: Design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners.