one must evaluate the class in order to see what style will fit the whole of the class.

Using colored paper for handouts is a very practical but an effective method of making instructional materials easy to sort out by the students. It is a very good idea to use to break the "monotony" of the white paper. I will start using this. Thanks for a very nice tip.

I teach court reporting students, so applying knowledge to skill is a very important part of their learning process. The message must be delivered through demonstration, total hands on. In the delivery, the steps must be organized and the presentation must be clean ( a clear understanding ). This is an area of learning where it's a tough call if the student will benefit from either instructional method mentioned. If I had to choose, I would probably choose the overhead.

In Career Colleges, a guest speaker is a very important factor for our students. Speakers that present their "testimony" of how they gained success, is like an " energy boost" for the student. I always like pros and cons from guest speakers . It outlines the whole picture of the career rather than just keeping it one sided. Two thumbs up for guest speakers.

You have to make sure that it is offered to every student and not just the students with low test scores.

The instructor has to help the students to succeed in meeting the requirements of the programs. Lowering the requirements does not prepare them for future successes.

Power points are great at attracting the students' attention.

My class plays fun games like BINGO or Jeapoardy (information on the games detail what the contents if the class lessons are) and they recieve points for participation

I think that pretesting is an excellent idea. This is a great way to find out where are students strong and weak points and help them excelle.

I loveto use Flip Charts, this gets the students into the subject being taught and they are particpating without any force. ( when you have to say that this is a grade)

I always plan field trip related to the Program in which I teach (Sterile Processing), but I never thought about having a Guest speaker, I would feel as an instructor that having a group of students at a site to recieve a hands-on tour would be much more beneficial and would be much more exciting than a guest speaker!

A good portion of my class has limited computer experience but is required to perform a multitude of exercises using one in order to pass the class (there is no standard of student we will turn away). Using Blooms Taxonomy theory of addressing the different levels of learning is the cornerstone for my classroom presentation. Knowing I will probably not be able to move a good portion of my students past Application is a realistic understanding I go in with, however making sure they attain at least a step above simple knowledge recall/recognition and are at least capable of comprehension of the material is my goal. For a few shining stars application is possible with a touch of analysis. Incorporating the four different learning styles seems to weed out some of the redundant questions up front. Adam

As a student as well as instructor I have always injoyed using my overhead projector as a tool to include the whole class. When used as a form to project a peetree dish you can discuss with the whole class what is being observed and it helps get everyone involved. Your able to point out certain areas of interest and everyone will have a clear view. Works wonders in the science lab for all shorts of presentations

Liked the idea of giving a DIFFERENT test for make-ups.

tests should be presented as a learning opportunity to the student and not the final evaluation of the course. tests give a student gauges and not finality

by identifying the processing levels of your students it is absolutely necessary that you understand their way of learning IE auditory, visual, and kinesthetic

power point is only a way to highlight specific points ones who read off power point limit themselves to being successful beyond themselves

I like to give weekly quizzes just to see if the information that was presented that week was absorbed.

If you constantly change how you present material to your students this will keep them from becoming bored. Show a movie one day, have a group assignemnt the next class; then do a powerpoint presentation for the next class. Using different techniques keeps it interesting and caters to all different types of learning.

You should always speak positive of your career. Students that are hesitant or on the fence and ready to give up, are searching for one reason to give up, and any negative feedback may give them what they are looking for..Do you agree?