One effective tool that I implement into my classroom is for my students prepare the day before a production schedule to help guide them through the cooking component on the following day. I find that during lecture day it is a great tool to interact with your student and create engagement with them. At the end of class I review what my production schedule should look like so they get a better understanding of what to expect the following day.

To be honest, I hate extra credit. In most cases it is used to replace or improve a score that was sub-par. The problem I have with this is that it isn't a true reflection of student knowledge if looking at the final average as a whole.

Syllabus generated by the supervising departments usually dictate content, at least where I instruct. I can supplement where desired but the "bones" are already present and required.

While I agree that it is important for instructors to have a personality that students can relate to, I think that adult learners need to adjust to different personality types. In the real world, we can not create excuses why we did or did not do something because of someone else's personality.

I teach the basic level courses at the college where I instruct. It is very difficult to come up with a guest speaker of a field trip when almost all of the different majors and programs are represented in my classroom. I am open to any suggestions you all may have. JM

time management also shows students how to use their time wisely

when instructors have support material, it helps and provides the students an opportunity to help broaden their knowledge

standards are there to help students achieve a goal

lesson plans help the students understand the final outcome of the day

Using objectives helps a instructor stay focused

Although PPT have a place in the classroom, we must always remember that they are a tool, not the teacher! PPTs can be educational and engaging, but many instructors do not have training in how to create one or how to teach from one. I certainly made my share of mistakes in the beginning. It is amazing what you can do with type of presentation, but like the lecture said, you have to be comfortable and know what is beneficial and what is not. Curriculum should be designed by a team of teachers so that the best of the best is obtained and not something that is too wordy, no pictures and minimal engagement. Pictures or inserting video clips keep the slides interesting. I think putting in scenarios is also effective, it takes the attention away from the PPT and creates conversation.

What to do when college does not permit colored handouts or handouts in color?

My lesson plan in the form of a course book and a schedule, are provided by our school. I feel this adds consistency to a course in a situation where more than one instructor teaches the same course in a given time frame. The lesson plan allows students to switch to another class and instructor in cases of emergency. Because the lesson plan is a guideline to what is taught, the instructor still has flexibility as to life lessons and personal experiences. In addition the instructor can add worksheets and other material to the lesson plan.

As a trade school instructor, I find that most of my students are self motivated, and follow the general 'idea' of soft skills. (they are typically older and have life experience) I am curious on dealing with students who do not have a positive mental attitude. What tactics work for you? I sometimes feel these students have been the squeaky wheel that get's the oil, but how to make them self aware, that this behavior does not translate into successful employment.

To trouble shoot what you are going to be teaching if your curriclum is already in place is to go through each video, poser point and or assignment briefly to make sure all is working properly. Also proof reading the tests to make sure what you are teaching co insides with what is on the tests. A couse check list helps.

Power points can work very well in teaching how ever I think we really need to look over our power points in our curriculums and make notes for examples of what has been listed. Thise of us that have been in the field that we are teaching in will be the best examples. Susch as something that happened to us personally that made the issue better or not.

I have found to make a change of scenery really helps the student attitude in class. It shows them that what we are talking about in the work world is real. I have used police officers that are friends come in and talk about law and ethics or pharmacology with drugs. Also taken the students to tour an emergency room to see what it is like to work as a medical assistant in a controlled and uncontrolled atmosphere. They are amazed and really respect our opinions when we tell them something about what it is like in clinicals. I have found they tend to do better.

Students should have technological resources available to them to help research materials needed to complete their course successfully.

Students should be made aware of the reasoning for the objectives of their course outline.

Learning objectives should be both explained and written so students know what is expected of them.