I use my PDA to prioritize my "to-do" list, by listing in time increments. I place a date/time listing my priorities in descending order, and engage the Pop-up feature with an audible alarm to remind me when to start on that item. Of course, I can always start earlies, or delay start by revising the date/time associated with the item. This allows me to revieew and revise the list as necessary.

What activities can an instructor do to improve overall class morale?

Once caught, should an instructor conduct a retroactive assessment of that student's class knowledge and content understandings to that point?

What additional intervention steps are recommended for students that repeat or continue the dropout cycle with new circumstances, events, or a new crisis?

What additional management steps are recommended for students that continually fall behind with assignments and homework?

We cannot allow cheating because of the serious and consequential nature of some of our course curriculum. If I observe cheating, I use eye contact and if this doesn't produce the desired result, I remove the test and the student. At that point I turn the matter over to my supervising instructor.

The guest speaker is an excellent way to bring unfocused students back into focus. I have asked former students to come in and speak about real world job experiences this helps affirm how our school has prepared them for real world employment. My students are attentive during this presentation. It seems to help them revive their goals and focus on their objetives.

Assisting students is not as easy as one think it is, but on the contrary it can be a learning experience and fun. I love helping students in particular, for one reason, it is part of my job, and thats who I am. Helping students is a rewarding activity. Assisting students in realizing there potentials and dreams is highly appreciated by students. In some cases some students somtimes need a little spark, when they are confronted with a math problem, computer problem or any problem for that matter. If you take the time to embrace that students and give the assistance and guidance it goes a long way. That is what I do. Making time and prioritizing your time to help students is very effective. Implement rules, guides and flow ups and you will see results.

It is good to be organized. Before I became a instructor. I was disorganized everything was out out order/out of place what ever you want to call it. The point is that, when you are disorganized you may find that life can become l stressful in not having a handle on things your life. I lot of times, we tend to get frustrated when we cannot find somethings or we dont remember where we put somethings, we get a rush. That rush tends to lead to a state of anger and stress. Keeping things in order is a way of organizing, that way you can pretty much now what to do, where to look and a sense of remembering where things are.

Everyone of us procrastinate one time or another, but some of us take it to an extreme. I have seen where students procrastinate to that point of where they think that, whatever it is that they need to do will just take care of itself. What would you say to some of those people? I would tell them that it not a good habit to put off whhat you can today and do it tomorrow, because sometime you can create more problems that way.

Are there any publications that would help an instructor with planning some team building activities?

I teach a medical transcription class. The students and I go over the syllabus together on the first day of term. I explain in detail what the course consists of, and what is expected. I make sure that they understand the number of reports to be turned in and when. They seem to lose any memory of this within 2 weeks! How can I get them to remember? A very few have no trouble turning in all work on time. At the last minute I will receive badly done reports and thery wonder why they get a low grade. This is making me crazy.

What type of activities for first day can be done with my students. We don't really have any things to show around a play with. Please help!

I believe many times we impose stress upon ourselves that can be avoided. Sometimes our own high performance expectations can go unmet and when reflected on cause stress. It is important I believe to make sure that we do not expect too much from ourselves in our changing environment and to be realistic about what can be accomplished.

I have found that when I ask essay type questions I can usually scan the information written for key words or phrases. If I do not see them in a particular answer that leads me to read the answer more carefully and guide the student effectively.

I have found that if the productivity software Outlook is used it can be of great benefit for to do lists by using the tasks and calendar.

Has anyone tried using a designated time for answereing emails? If so, have you ever had complaints about a delayed response or have you ever missed a time sensitive important announcement?

I have a "no make up rule" or "late" rule the day of the exam. I clearly explain this at the begining of the class. The students clearly understand. I have the highest attendance rate on those days. The only exception is that if they tell me ahead of time, they may take it the day before, after school, or if it is an issue like they go home sick, but I have seen them that day. They may take it the nexy day. If their child is sick and they call and leave a message, I let them come sfter school or have another person in the school administer it, same day only. It works well, and there is no misunderstanding. Last week I had two ladies take the test the day before. My students truely respect the rule.

Stress is a big part of our every day lives. Being an instructor for many years, I feel my stress level is much less tha when I started this journey. 1. I am confident and well prepared in whatever I teach. 2. I put the objectives up every day for each class. 3. I lecture, review the topic and then I do reinforcement exercises. I also give the students their review sheets one week before an exam. They respond well to this and 80% of my class score 90 or above. Organization and keeping on top of your daily work is also key. When I get really stressed, I book an appoinment with our massage students for a full body massage!!!

In making To Do Lists I find myself procrastinating about what I have on my list and then sometimes I lose the list. Has anyone else had this happen to them and what have you done that has helped to overcome this problem to better prepare you for your class?