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Past, Present, and Future (PPF) Sheets for Improved Communication of Lesson Objectives and Expectations

Abstract Some of the major challenges facing new faculty in the area of instruction deal with how to communicate the objectives and expectations of a particular course to the students in the best possible manner. Questions related to students’ focus on key points of each particular lecture, increasing student engagement in the classroom, and how to reduce potential conflicts and confusion surrounding assignment due dates and classroom activities are often of primary concern. Many of these items can be addressed with the development of Past, Present, and Future (PPF) sheets for the course. PPF sheets contain information regarding past topics relevant to the current class, present deliverables, learning objectives, and discussion questions, and future deliverables as well as discussion questions for the next class. The sheets are designed to provide a one-stop source for a majority of the important information for the course. Homework assignments are presented in these sheets, due dates for homework, lab reports, and projects are listed, and reminders for tests and other important items are listed. Discussion questions are listed for both the current and subsequent class with the expectation that this will facilitate a higher level of class interaction. Learning objectives for the current class are listed and form the basis for expected student abilities – these objectives also provide an excellent source for testing review. PPF sheets have been employed in various classes from sophomore through senior level. Students have been asked to evaluate the benefit of these sheets and results indicate a positive response from most individuals. From an instructor perspective, the amount of time spent discussing course scheduling is dramatically reduced – allowing that time to be channeled to coverage of course topics. The inclusion of learning objectives improves student focus and the discussion questions increase student participation by giving them an idea of “what to expect” from the instructor. Introduction New faculty often face a number of challenges in the classroom when it comes to creating a successful course. Virtually all have the technical expertise to conduct the course, the difficulties arise in communicating that knowledge, and the associated expectations, to the students. In her 2008 paper, Helterbran notes that “Students are especially aware when their professors appear to be on top of things in the classroom. Elements of organization and the ability to teach in a seamless fashion are important to students.” The concept of a high level of organization, presented in a timely manner, is nothing new. A number of studies2-5 have been conducted that support the use of advance organizers in the classroom. “An advance organizer is information that is presented prior to learning and that can be used by the learner to organize and interpret new incoming information.5” This idea of providing students with information prior to class, connecting previously covered information to the current lesson, and clearly establishing

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Kunberger, T. (2009, June), Past, Present, And Future (Ppf) Sheets For Improved Communication Of Lesson Objectives And Expectations Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--4971