@gmeers :You have to be credible.  You can't just fake it to make it.  The students will see right through you.  You do not have to know EVERYTHING, but you do need to be the Subject Matter Expert, be willing to admit you do not know the answer, and get the answer in a timely manner.  Lack of knowledge or preparation will cause the instructor to lose the class, and future classes, quickly.

@gmeers :I instruct military folks...in fact, I am a retired Air Force officer.  I try to get at what they are dealing with.  It is different now, than when I was in their position.  You have to get where they are, so that as you instruct, you can develop the appropriate way to evaluate them.  I do that by interaction with them each day, and getting them to actively participate.  I work one-on-one witheach student.  It helps me find out where they are.

@gmeers :Using ideas from earlier blocks helps this.  As you get to know the students, you begin to understand what makes them tick.  That helps frame the lesson flow.  It helps mold your questions in a way that hits how they think, while still getting at the learning objectives.  Again, communicating and listening goes a long way.

Dr Meers, communication is critical to success.  A lack of communication will fuel failure, and lead to disillusionment.  Before my retirement from the military, I used to make it a point to tell mys staff to ensure that they told me what they heard me say.  I found that what I thought I was saying, and what they heard me saying, were not the same.  There is no greater issue, than to get down the road, several weeks or months later, and find out that the staff and I were operationg on different wavelengths.  So, the communication in the classroom… >>>