I learned of the importance of nonverbal communication when leading a discussion to encourage engagement. 

Throughout these courses I have learned of the importance of fun in the classroom. The material being a fun interactive thing for the students is great for them to learn. The relationship of instructor student must still be respected but there is no reason we cannot have fun together.  

I feel as though something I do well is to see the lab from the students' eyes. I in the past few years was in trade school as well, so I know how it feels to be in their shoes. I learned that it is important to encourage and motivate your student, but also to recognize they have expectations that they expect to be met. It is our responsibility to make sure those expectations are met and exceeded. My goal is for my students to go home feeling like they learned at least one thing every class.  

I learned that motivating students is about helping them see the purpose behind what they are learning. Students are more likely to stay engaged when they understand how the knowledge and skills they are developing will apply to their future careers. Encouragement, enthusiasm, empathy, and recognizing progress can also help build a student’s confidence.

I intend to apply this by connecting lessons and hands-on activities to real situations students may experience in the field. I also want to recognize when students are improving, even if they are still struggling in certain areas. As an instructor, I think my attitude can… >>>

Keeping the focus on the students means paying attention to how well they are actually learning, not just whether I have covered all of the material. Every student learns differently, so using a variety of teaching methods such as discussion, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and real-world examples can help keep students engaged and make the information easier to understand and retain.

I intend to apply this by paying closer attention to student participation and understanding throughout each lesson. I want students to feel comfortable asking questions or letting me know when something does not make sense. In a hands-on program, I… >>>

Understanding the difference between Semantic and Episodic memory.  Importance of empathy, enthusiasm and clarity when in the classroom.  The goal of an instructor is to ensure the student gains the confidence, self-esteem, knowledge and skills base to transform from student to contributor.

Comment on Toni Harrington's post: Love it. I feel like they take greater ownership in their learning when rewarded.

I think keeping things light in the classroom as much as possible will help with the overall student performance. As long as expectations are met, I believe keeping a fun learning environment helps build confidence and relieves pressure of everyday life for students and instructors alike.

I think understanding that each student based on age, ethnicity, cultural background, personality, etc. gives us the opportunity to expand our own teaching techniques. No two students are the same and should not be assumed that 1 way fits all but, also helping the students understand the standard and proper expectations for the class will help mitigate difficulties when they arise.

One thing I have learned about student retention is that keeping students engaged goes beyond simply teaching the material. Building a good relationship with students, setting clear expectations, encouraging participation, and providing positive feedback can make a big difference in whether students stay motivated throughout the program.

I intend to apply these strategies by creating a classroom environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and learning from them. I also think it is important to recognize when a student may be struggling and address it early instead of waiting until they fall too far behind.