I have found that public praise at anytime in class is a phenomenal motivator! Catch them doing something good or great and acknowledge it! This goes further than any quiz or test grade they will achieve. Make sure you are not playing favorites though.

I have had the pleasure of observing other instructors and it amazes me how many of them will plow through the material just to get it done. They barely look around or ask questions to see if their students have absorbed any of the information! Pay attention to the world around you…

One thing I have tried is when I see a “younger” or less mature student in the class having issues I will try and get an “older” or mature student to almost mentor or help them. I try to link ethnicity and gender if possible – this has worked very well especially with some behavioral issues.

I constantly hear from students that they remember material when it is “entertaining” or real life examples are share by me or their fellow students with in the class. Use it is works!

It’s amazing when I see an instructor come into class just minutes before it starts – the students see it – they see the harried – not together instructor about to present to them. These are usually the ones that discuss issues with class room decorum and respect form students.