I loved this particular session of this class. Not least because it redeems virtually everything I do in the classroom every single day. And am often criticized for... right up until the industry standard certification tests.
The one PROBLEM area I have has to do with lighting.
Personally, I am a proponent for dimmer lighting for the reasons that follow...
Most institutions use flourescent lighting NOT in the preferred spectrum for the simple reason of cost effectiveness.
In my experience though, I can retain more attention and alertness by leaving the overhead flourescent lights off or using one or two banks of them and using the light from CRTs or the lights from another room through the windows and open doors... or table lamps, reading lamps etc. And varying the lighting to direct attention for maximum effectiveness.
One of the reasons this probably works for me though is that I do integrate music, color... overhead projection... and my own... er... ENERGETIC personality, not to mention stimulating wit.
Oh... and I make it a point to call each person BY NAME a minimum of three times in a given 55 minute instructional period. Note that I am not necessarily asking them a question... in fact, USUALLY am not asking a question. But, just SAYING a persons name will focus their attention in a way that nothing else can.
On the other hand, I am perhaps blessed in that I am the only instructor to use that particular classroom and I have a relatively small population density. As compared to a 300 seat lecture hall that is shared between an entire department. So, I have a little more flexability than some others here may.