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Ask a question from your peers to help you in your professional work. Seek different points of view on a topic that interests you. Start a thought-provoking conversation about a hot, current topic. Encourage your peers to join you in the discussion, and feel free to facilitate the discussion. As a community of educators, all members of the Career Ed Lounge are empowered to act as a discussion facilitator to help us all learn from each other.

student motvation

constantly remind them of the bigger picture. why they are here and benefits of sticking it out until the end. it's more than just a new career, it's a new life.

preparing a great syllabus

look at it from a studnts perspective be clear and complete

Accomodating the learning needs

Learning your student and accomodating to the learning needs of your students in very important learn how to use examples and hands on task is very important, as our learning error has gone to more of computers (e-books, etc.) Not many of our younger population spent a lot of time reading. Find more way to give lesson though computer and more hands on will hold their attention longer. ( in my option)

The first day of class

To an new instructor the first day of classs is very important, also to new students meeting there instructor for the first time. It is important for the instructor to set the tone of the class on the first day. Set the expectaation and find out what the expactations of his/hre students.

Using a well perpared syllabus

I agree a well parpared syllabue is a great tool in a students education preparness, it will also aid in instructors with there lesson plans. Great tool

Materials and syllabus

I just started being an instructor, and have very high standards in general. I have found the curriculum and course outlines where I am on a regular basis don't meet my standards, and the students are not challenged one day, and the next two they can't keep up it is so difficult. Any pointers on how to fix this, while not undermining my superiors?

Professionalism

Being professional is a very important part of an instructor job. The instructor should present his/her self as the role model. You are the one who the student need to be able to look up too, you should be the one that they should be able to come too for advice about their career.

Suggestions

Rethink your approach when teaching; mix up your method of teaching to engage the learner more.

Learning

It's a good idea to make sure the learning objectives are fulfilled, while continuing to engage the learners on all levels.

The Classroom

It's good to know that the structure of a classroom can aide in the students learning.

Instructor improvement

It's okay when you can learn something from your students. One of the things I say to my students is that even though I am the instructor, there are things I can learn from them.

Attention Spans

Because the average adult attention span is only 15-18 minutes while classes last much longer I find its best to break up the time in under 15 minutes tasks to make the best learning environment.

Trust but verify

I start each new course by telling all my students to trust everything I say but verify everything I say. By this I mean dive into the mechanics of and see the physics of the systems and processes that I describe to you by critically thinking about it. If you just memorize the facts it will be very difficult for you to apply what you have learned out in the field. But if you can see the physics of what you have learned you will be able to understand it well enough to apply what you have learned. Prior to lecturing each section I ask them to look at it to see if they can figure it out prior to learning about it. It is amazing the conversations we have as a class as they work through their thought processes. Often it starts with one student giving his/her thoughts and it snowballs and builds from there. I get many eval comments that say how they loved being able to figure it out themselves with me there for guidance. Most every student loves it!

Being Prepared for meeting the class for the first time

Its always been the most important part of our work to do the prep work before the classes get started (lesson plans, text review) but the most significant part of being prepared is that it allows you to genuinely connect with the students making the focus about the them and learning.

Great way to assess students

I really find that playing a game called Taboo, which is on the line of translation, I find how well they can descibe a term or conept in their own words to another student.

Starting active learning

I have incorporated verbal reports, having a student teach a one subject in the class,& open discussions. But I have some subjects I am just not sure how to get away from lectures. I personally do not like lecture classes, but haven't found away of changing them. Any other suggestions?

From Closed to Open questions

Please write 1 closed question you ask students that is specific to your class. Then rewrite the question so that it becomes a specific type of open question. Please state the type of open question it has become (comparison, extrapolation, translation, interpretation, application, or procedural).

Syllabus or the Outline?

What comes first the syllabus or the course outline? Any thoughts on this?

Professional Development Resources

Can you suggest any effective Professional Development Resources for experienced teachers?

Musical lectures

"Schoolhouse Rock" made such an impression upon me growing up that I have created my own songs that I incorporate into my lectures. I think I will also add a little "mood" music for our reviews and play it again before the test to see how that increases their retention and ability to recall the information.