Without the interpersonal aspect that is found in traditional face to face classes, I have found that online courses needs to use a mix of delivery methods to help students remain interested, and to address some of the various learning styles. Learning objects (short recorded presentations on a particular topic), live synchronous seminars or chats, discussions, use of relevant videos that pertain to the course material, group discussion or chat options for separate groups of students, etc, all can be helpful in bringing variety to the process of delivering content. I would be very interested to hear from other online instructors about ways in which you have varied your presentation of content. John Ragan

Hello Gary; I like to create a somewhat chaotic envornment for the student when they have in class production projects so they begin learn to prioritize, problem solve, deal with stress, take iniative learn to both lead and follow. It usually takes a few times before they realize there is a "method to the madness". Does this approach make an instructor look unorganized in the long run?

Many instructors have their own reasoning for their method...how do you open students to multiple possibilities while still making them follow your methodology, without seeming stubborn or closed minded yourself?

Motivating students is one of the most challenging and most rewarding aspects of teaching. There is always at a student in a class that initially is not interested in school or the particular subject matter. I have found that talking with the student about individual interest and identifying aspects of the class that reflects this interest is effective in changing the student’s attitude. What other methods of student motivation are instructors using?

TO ME COMMUNICATION REALLY IS THE KEY.NOT JUST IN THE CLASS ROOM AS INSTRUSTORS,BUT IN ALL OUR RELATIONSHIPS.JUST LOOK HOW MANY SELF HELP BOOKS THERE ARE ON THIS SUBJECT AT A BOOK STORE.THAT TELLS ME IT CANNOT BE PERFECTED.THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR INPROVMENT IN MY COMMUNICATION SKILLS.YES EYE CONTACT IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT. I MAKE A POINT TO DO IT HOPING OTHERS WILL ALSO.

I am of the idea when teaching mathematics to adult learners that they need to see the math in action. Doing examples, followed by them working out problems is the way to go. I get to check work during class to see if they are on the right track before they leave. In addition to doing work during class, I recommend a homework set. What they do is up to them. The ones who do more fare much better than those that don't, but making the requirement to do more doesn't change the outcome. Regards, Scott

Class discussion works well in my subject tends to get class invalved in asking questions about the material covered instead of just having students show up and rely on answers givin in a review.

opens the door for the instructor an student to find there teaching and learning styles.

I find that class gets more invalved on a discussion on the subject covered.gives more opportunity for the class to partiapate as a whole.

our students are hands on learners and have to do repetitive task until competion.

try to keep the class in tune with the subject matter and keep it a pleasurable envirement, so keep it in a manner that will keep them at ease. i feel this very important as far as retention. they will want to be involved.

I work within a technical school environment and find that as I ask questions to the students and then involve them in research to find or clarify the answer is very helpful. Problem solving is very much part of their educational experience and will be within their professional experience, therefore the ability to uncover answers through a varity of researching methods is very helpful

I really learned some great things here. Looking forward to learning more.

I like the tables to be arranged in a U shape, sometimes if the class is very large I may have an outer and an inner U. I find that this helps me to work around the room when teaching so that I do find myself trapped behind my desk when giving my presentations, and I also closer to the students I also makes it easier to break the students into groups, as we just move the table apart. I teach many of the introduction classes, so every week I like to have a new seating chart, so that the students can get to know on another.

Is it just me or do others also experience the easter egg hunt when it comes time to grade assignments.... Student emails assignment instead of submitting it to right area. Student posts group project to the regular assignment area, instead of the small group files spot. Student submits DB to where they are supposed to post IP's.

When it's time for the Group Project, inevitably some students on a team will find that not all their teammates are communicative. Even friendly nudges by their facilitator can go unanswered. Announcements get posted on the classroom, as well as the DB's. I'd be interested in hearing how other's grapple with this issue

The first class and how you present yourself really matters. Your complete package of your self will be remembered for a long time. You need to make sure everything is ready and completed to present your self to your class.

I have worked in many different colleges and, in some of them, the paper work (like filling,tests scoring, students reports,etc.)interferes with teaching, without mentioning some administrative duties the teacher has to do

How can one inprove the learning enviroment whith a small class room? Can the classroom be to small to help with learning?

How do we deal with students who allways miss the first day of class? I have found a realy bad traight forming among my younger students (18-25) that they feel as if it is our job to repeat all the intro information given on the first day!