What is a lesson plan and why use one?

The Internet is awash with definitions for a lesson plan. Two definitions have been selected for you to consider.

• On EduTech Wiki a lesson plan is described as a document: "noting the method of delivery, and the specific goals and time-lines associated to the delivery of lesson content". Also, a lesson plan "helps the teacher to know what to do in a class (prepared by themselves), with quite specific activities".

• A lesson plan is also defined as "the instructor’s road map of what students need to learn and how it will be done effectively during the class time" by the Centre for Research on Learning and Teaching at University of Michigan.

Activity

Write a definition for a lesson plan that you could use to explain the concept when in conversation with a new colleague (not necessarily an academic staff member!). Think about why you should use a lesson plan, and write down two advantages of using one. Reading the Importance of Lesson Plan might help with this. What do your lesson plans look like now, and is there room for improvement?