Instruction is like Sesame Street. If you explain on the onset of each class what is going to be covered ( objectives), the time frames involved, and how they are going to be graded, you will have a win - win situation. Be consistent but not boring in what you do. Enlist student group discussion. Elect a project manager. State many opinions are going to come into play and you do not have to agree but respect thats person thought. Put a motivational quote on the bored each day. They look forward to it. Be organized, consistent and clear. Challenge a student who thinks an answer on a test is incorrect. Suggest that they research why they feel you made an error. If they prove it correct, give all students back the points. They love it, and they will approach it in a mature way. And always leads by example. I always do and have a great deal of respect from my students. I do not get to personal. I know about their families, but not in great detail. I handled adult issues one on one. One person's drama does not have to be an entire classes burden. I have showed them how their goals are achieved by bring current students back to discuss their externships. Additionally, if a student is hired, pass a certification test, we as a class call them to congradulate them as a group!!!

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What is the best way to develop my skills in this area. thank you

Does appearance really set forth the outlook students have on their instructors more than the comprehensive knowledge of the information being learned.

I am currently an instructor at a technical school for audio engineering. Classes are small, hand on learning is our chosen method of teaching and students can vary in many aspects. What are some of the best ways to keep students engaged during the entire class? It seems as though the students get tired and start to talk amongst themselves towards the end.

i'm going on my second year as an instructor in a post secondary school, and finding myself constantly becoming too friendly with students. How can i better create a level of professionalism while maintaining a fun learning environment

just trying to make it in the world.

I teach at a facility where the course lessons are prepared for me. When I first started I had a very difficult time intergrating my teaching style into the course lectures. Now though I have learned to supplement the lectures with information that helps me put my own spin on the course material. I try as often as possible to provide the latest statistics and research when available, also I input any personal professional experience into lecture, students seem to react well to such methods.

I am big on setting guidelines on the first day of class, whether it be regarding academic or behavioral. It feel it sets the tone for the seriousness of the course and how I expect my students to act. Specifically I go over the class sylubus and the school's student expectation guidelines. I'm sure it get tiring for repeat students but at least I know they are aware of school standards.

Hi, What would be the easiest way to get a printed copy of this course? I'm afarid that over the summer I'll forget a lot of what has been covered here. Thanks, Geoff

When I set out to take this course, I felt that it would be just one more thing to add to the to do list. After taking the Final Exam I realized that I had actually learned alot about my teaching style and many ways to improve on it. I hope to take more classes in the future. Thanks.

I'm teaching a three hour class twice a week. What is the recommended time to take breaks? I have gotten so into presenting things that when I look at the clock, I've been going for two hours. Although the students seem to be right with me, I'm not sure as to what the best approach would be. Is there a standard rule of thumb here? Thanks

I am in my second semester as an instructor and read in the online course that reading from the text is not recommended. Is it better to have the students share in the reading? When I discuss my experiences as they relate to the lesson, everyone perks up and they get involved. Is there a better way to share the text other than memorizing?

Hi! I'm teaching a series of courses relating to Marine Services. It had previously been determined that about half the time would be lecture, and half the time hands-on. The lecture is fine, but I have eight students that have to have a meaningfull work session during that 1.5 hr. period allocated to hands-on. I end up running around like a nut trying to respond to each persons needs quickly enough to not waste a big part of his night's experience. I've been reluctant to change the format to a 3 hour lecture one night and a 3 hour class the next night. It just seems that 3 hours of non-stop industry standards would be pretty dry. any suggestions?

In addition to introductions, expectations, and a review of the course syllabus, we were to begin our first lesson on the first day of school. This was in a secondary public school setting, and the reasoning was quite simple, it gave teachers the opportunity to set the tone for the school year on the first day of class. The post-secondary setting is somewhat different, while in some ways the same, but is it advisable to begin the first lesson on the first day of class in the post-secondary setting?

I have been providing my students with my email address to submit their homework and ask questions. This one kid has been sending me jokes. So far, they have been appropriate, however, it's a lot. I would rather him not send them. What do you recommend?

If a student turns in their homework late, should they still have the opportunity to score 100 or should we always take points off for being late?

I teach a 6pm class which is also a long walk from the front door of the school. Many of the students have day jobs and have a hard time arriving on time and then with the long walk to the classroom makes them chronically late. We only have 1 hour so I want to start class on time but how long should I wait to really get started? I don't want the stranglers to miss out on the lesson.

I am new at teaching and have found myself completely drawing a blank after I have covered a topic. I feel like a deer in the headlights or a radio dj with dead air not having a good transistion from one message to the next. I feel like the students are watching me scramble for my notes, trying to find my place in the lesson. Any suggestions?

In every new session and with every new class of students I explain that I am available to them if they encounter issues in any school related area, not just my classes. I have been told this is teetering upon the becoming a "pal" and such issues should be handled by the director. I have noticed though that some of the students are not comfortable with speaking with the school's director, this person can be a bit intimidating. Also any time an issue comes up I immediately bring it to the attention of the director, I do not take matters into my own hands, I only open the lines of communication between the these two. Am I doing my job or veering off course?