Engaging students in active learning appears to be the best way of optimizing learning.

I like to start out with something funny before class,to get their's attention.

I like to think that I model myself as someone that can teach and show students that they can learn, and that they can have confidence in what they do.

What are your thoughts about assigning seats for students prior to their first day of the class?

What is the best way you have found to create PowerPoint slides for a course when they are not provided by the publisher?

encourage an activity to get bodies moving when there seems to be a lull.

I often insert discussions with analysis questions and critical thinking issues into my lectures to engage the students. I wasn't aware that it was a special strategy until now; however, it does bring to mind many comments from students regarding how they don't get much time to talk in other classes. My main concern is how much time should be devoted to discussion. I have a 90 minute class that meets twice a week and a 3.5 hour class that meets once a week. I want to make sure that I have an appropriate balance.

I have had several and by finding what kind then I can change teaching styles to help them learn better

I like to form groups of students with different skills as this helps all of them to se what tey can do to help each other

I like to eye contact as I can see if the student is paying attition or if they get the message

I had two of them in last class and by being slow and talking about subject and then showing them was a big help

I try to make lectures an interactive experience - my presentations have pictures, video, and I always give a demo, but a lot of times when I ask a question - there is no response. Theses aren't hard questions, and there are usually no wrong answers, I think it's just that this group does not feel comfortable speaking in front of others, whether it be me or their peers. How do you make students feel comfortable enough to answer questions in class? What techniques would you use for this?

In my first term I was a new hire as an ad-junct professor and brought on board the week before school started, on a building that was being remodeled. At the time I didn't have access to the online accounts or even a school email (as it takes three weeks to get fully on-boarded, and I was on week 2). Needless to say it was not the best first impression, and very hard to look anything but unprepared - but I soldiered on and tried to make the best of it. Has anyone ever had a class where you thought you did *not* make a good first impression? How did you correct it?

I know many courses require a textbook, and mine are no exception. However I've found that in my field (computer art) a lot of times textbooks can be technical, boring, or somewhat confusing. I don't think I've ever referred a student to the book when a question came up, finding face-to-face instruction and an animated visual demo succeeding far better than the written words. Does this happen for anyone else?

For me, I always tend to include a lot of images and videos in my presentations, lectures, and demos - as an art instructor I tend to use this more than most I would imagine. What images or videos, if any, do you include in presentations? Is there a go-to intro video for your class? Or an inspirational speech? I think Steve Job's 2005 Stanford Commencement speech (stay hungry, stay foolish) is a great way to start off a term.

Syllabus gives you and your students a guide to the class and what is expected.

How do you engage a student in your class who has no interest in even being there? I see some students who have no interest in courses and the only reason that they attend is because they are mandated by the company. Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with a student like that?

Now that I have this new job as an instructor, how do I go about not sounding full of myself when i give my introduction. I remember when I was going to school many of my professors rambled on and on and in the end basically reading their resume to us in class. I never want to sound like that in my class.

In regards to my job I have to ensure all boats are filled up, the trailers ready to go, vehicles filled, all gear in the proper location and still start class on time. Usually I arrive at work one to two hours early to ensure all of these tasks are done before students arrive.

In my past experience I have ofter been taught by the teaching strategy Death by power point. What is a way that I can still use a powerpoint that certain jobs require but also make it more interesting?