Why is it the first day of a new class so many mixed feelings, even for an experience teacher? I used my own fear and nervousness to try and understand my students, that my students are new and going through the same feelings as I am. At times it is very difficult to open my mouth, I am worry about tripping over or tying up my words. In my head it just do not sound right. What would be a good way or the best way to calm myself down?

I am an instructor who always try to plan ahead and be proactive with my classes. It works a time and some times it seems as if I am falling behind. It never dawn on me to make a check list before, because I was always using my syllabus as the guide. the syllabus is always good but with a checks list of your own will make planning and preparatiion a lot better.

I have learned over the years, that to develop as an instructor, a real good one at that requires a lot of time, patient and understanding to meet all types of students. Over the years as an instructor the learning styles are very defferent. Instructor are to know how to adjust to their class and their students learning behaviors. Remember that each student is an individual so you must find a way to top into each as such. This subject opened my mind and eyes on how to developed as a better instructor.

have your students select a new topic and introduce it to the class

s how power point to help your students understand

try to have your students participate in hands on teaching

do the most you can to help you students learn

I teach in a school that targets people of lower socio-economic backgrounds and most of them have troubles I can not even imagine (abuse/poverty/etc). I come from a highly educated, and most importantly, loving background. They know I am so far from where they come from, but I try to show them I care. Any ideas?

This is a great lesson teaching and making us aware to emphasize the big picture of today's class.

As a Voc. Ed. teacher I have experienced first hand the need to implement visual and kenisthetic learning techniques in the class room. Understand my students learning needs are critical to my diverse student population. The "X" gen./"Y" generation students of today are so bombarded by multi-media, just keeping focused in class has become an ordeal for many of them. The proverbial cell phone has become as much a nemesis as ally in the hands of youth. I strive to keep the lectures as flashy and entertaining as possible - to compete with all the modern distractions. I'm also trying to implement interactivity requiring my students to review points of the lecture electronically, as the lecture is being given. Any thoughts for improving my particular efforts would be greatly appreciated.

My daughter is hearing impaired, her whole life i pushed her. No matter how hard it got i never gavein. Now she is a grad fron eku, with a great job. I'm saying you must find what works for them, she learned in color(flash cards).

Most of my students fall in the 18-25 year old range. Though in my 40's, I feel I relate well to this age group on the whole. However, occasionally we have a 17 year old student, and currently, I have a student in the neighborhood of 60 years old. At times, these large range of ages has impacted the "group dynamic" in a negative way. Other times, it has had a positive or neutral effect. My continuing challenge (that seems constantly change in circumstances) is to work toward a positive learning environment or, what I like to call, "moving forward". Any thoughts?

In the material it strongly suggests that only do roll call during roll call. In my classes I've found effectiveness in taking a different approach. My class is an intro class where 90% of the students are taking their first college course ever. Many are the first in their family to attend college. They are nervous, unsure of what they are doing, and many times sceptical. During the first meeting, before taking attendance, I take a survey, finding out how many of them are attending college for the first time, how many work full time, part time, who already bought the book, have laptops with them, etc. This gives me an overall sense of who my class is while lettting them realize they are not the only one in the classroom that are in the same situation as they are. When I actually take the roll for the first time though, I take a moment to talk to them. I ask each student at least one question related to their experience with the classes subject matter. I also make a comment on their comments--even if its simply rewording it so that I can demonstrate that I understand what they said. This not only helps me identify the student as more than just a name on the sheet, but also gives me a chance for them to see that I can apply my expertise to their area of interest. I do this before anything else in class (except announcing my name and the classes name) and it really makes a noticable difference in the tension level in the room. This is only applicable to my intro classes; in the other ones my style is very similar to what you brought up; I just think this is one exception to the "rule" that might deserve some discussion.

I teach a 5 hour class and this really puts the attention span to the test. I'm able to move my classroom to another location. For example, we will have class in the student lounge and get a soda. I'll present the topic before we leave the classroom and break the students up in groups when we get to the lounge. It seems a little change of scenery helps with focusing and it's like an activity to them.

test the student first in different types of test so you can determined what test works better

give students a problem and diveded into groups and they need to come out with a solution.

ask the same questions but different format

I would like to learn different styles to teach a dental class

How do you get more of the students to participate in class discussion? I alwarys have the same students participating.

I am new to the education environment. What is the best strategy to maintain retention in the classroom?