The first time I taught a class was a challange due to my expectations was to high of my students in a beginning A & P class. The lectures notes which I put in an outline style helped dramatically because sometimes I would not go into enough detail to explain a subject because I thought everyone was always on the same page.

To be sure my teaching strategy is effective and ensure my students are meeting the objectives I often review after every section in a chapter the key points and things they will see again on a test. I also give multiple tests on one chapter that are not cumulative but cover the specific information that was stated in the objectives. Through this practice I have seen overall grades increase and also students retain the information at the end of the quarter better.

When I first started I really struggled with my lesson plans and sticking to them, but now they have helped me to stay on track, cover all the required material, and are often used as reference with my students when they tell me I did not cover a topic or didn't tell them about their upcoming assignments.

My school has a set grading policy that I as an instructor have no input. We are a corporate school and they tell us what % each assignment, quiz, exam, and project is worth. I feel this is ridiculous because they are not in the classroom and they are not experts in my field. Why do they feel final projects are worth more than Exams!! The students have a national board exam to take when they finish this program. It is a test not a project. I think that corporate is taking away discretion of the instructor at this institution to try to make it harder for the students to argue with grading policies, but I think it is doing more harm than good, because now a student can fail every exam but still pass the course because of all the other assignments, quizzes, and projects that they are required to do. This policy will not help them pass their national board exam!

We teach through powerpoints. A new lecture every week being that it's a vocational school we have alot of lecture to cover making it impossible to have just 5 main points on one slide. What could be another tip to powerpoints and make sure things are being covered and I don't loose the student's focus?

As an adult vocational school we don't do many field trips or have many guests speakers. Our subject is dental related. What can I do besides sharing my own office expieriences to keep students excited and interested?

I learned from another teacher that the use of mini quizzes can really help students with material they consider difficult, as in math for example. During a four hour class, the students may take four tiny quizzes--one at the end of each hour--which each consist of four or five questions on the skill we just covered. The quizzes are graded right there over the break, and both the student and I get a good idea of where they stand right there.

I use an online jeopardy game to pretest my students on the first day of class. This way I can get an idea of where they are and they do not feel that panic of a written test. It makes it a fun experience for them.

I teach veterinary Technology and Field trips are a essential part of our program. As veterinary technicians the students are required to have hands on experience with large animals (cattle and horses) and lab animal medicine thus we go on many field trips. It is always my favorite part of the term when we go on a field trip and see how alive the students become applying what they learned in the classroom.

I believe it is imperative that an instructor know his or her strengths and weakneses in order to be effective. It allows us to impart what we know and work on what we may be unsure of.

Setting reasonable and challenging objectives in a course will give a certain satisfaction to a student at the end of it all if they feel as though they were challenged and obtained a skill-set that will aid them in their trek towards theeir new career!

I have used “Youtube” and other online sources for both the good information they can convey or to demonstrate to students how things “are-not” done! Students have said that they appreciate the value added information and a break from a lecture or as a means to give a visual of what we are about to discuss…

Extra credit should be given only when students are borderline passing.

Students need to learn how to use outside resources but you will need to be their guide

Consistency in grading is important to a successful student experience. Students need to know what is expected of them to earn standard grades, makeup work and extra credit. How can we as teachers self-evaluate on these and hold ourselves to the highest standards?

Using alternate activities to keep students attention when they become unfocused is ideal but ideally we use our most interesting material upfront, so what are some new exciting ideas for activities that can help? Thanks.

Using the power points are new to me so any success stories or examples of classroom use would be appreciated.

Beyond the standard be organized and prepared with content, materials, trips etc, which are expected of each teacher, what are some meaningful ways to show students you are excited and prepared?

Make sure to your course material that needs to be covered. But remember enjoy yourself

A guest speaker is important it gives a different perspective