This was one of the best classes that I have taken!

Mark W.

I address the "Now I wonder who THIS guy is?" student pre-conceptions of the instructor in several ways. One way is to demonstrate practical--and recent, if possible--professional applications of my experiences and/or skills in the *real* world. The second way to present an on-going image is to use humor, and self-deprecation when applicable.

I teach an English class in which the students are required to write at least 4 essays in a 10 week period. The issues of plagiarism and the *easiest way out* methods of compiling the necessary information and documentation is always a challenge that I constantly try to head-off with examples of correct--and incorrect--ways to achieve their goals, regardless of essay format.

I make it very apparent to my students that I am not a stereotypical *lecturer" teacher; in fact, I address the reticent students by using small groups and/or ask them specifically to pose their own questions.

I think that, in this *instant gratification* culture of our students, in the classroom it is imperative that as teachers, we make our teaching and presentations as relevant to the 21st century as we can. Technologies abound that can vastly improve the old "teach from the text" approach.

This was one of the best classes that I have taken!

Mark W.