Learning activities greatly enhance learning and student involvement. While teaching a course in Leadership Development, I had the students create their own business - from CEO on down. This involvement gave each individual a sense of importance in the class as well as developing their learning for leadership and social skills.

Having taught several drawing classes in the past, I found it to be beneficial for the student to listen to softly played classical music. They seem to take their time and be more creative.

Since teaching constantly changing software programs, it is vital to learn all of the upgrades assosciated with a particular program.

I like to use a little of each method, especially when there is a varity of learning styles is in a group.

What would be the proper length of a test to gauge a student's comprehension?

My biggest challenge when I teach a new class 'Conversational Spanish' is to keep the Spanish speakers engaged. I found that by giving them team building roles and leadership roles in the classroom, they are able to focus on non-spanish speakers that do need help. Since I speak a little Italian, I also teach the Spanish speakers some Italian as it is very close to Spanish and they can relate. ~Louis

In my Conversational Spanish class for culinary arts students, I take the Spanish speakers and have them lead a group of non-Spanish speakers and go through exercises on the workbook. I often will switch out the 'leads' so that students can listen to different accents of Spanish speakers in the classroom. We discuss words and phrases that you will hear in the kitchen (minus the cursing and bad words of course). Students find it informative and fun when I do exercises like this because it also helps them with their Spanish plus get to know the people in their group. ~Louis

What is the best national, professional education organization/association for faculty to join? Connecting with professional associations is essential for professional development. Thank you in advance for sharing your expertise.

I always like to keep on moving in class as I lecture when not using a PowerPoint presentation. The students keep their eyes on me and their attention as well. In the beginning of class, I give all students the ability (using a rubber spider, which is passed along), to call on another student for discussions by engaging that student into the discussion and this helps with the flow as well. So constant movement in the classroom is necessary as many feel that 'academics' is a place where they can fall asleep and relax outside of the lab environment. ~Louis

How frequently should these types of assesments occur? One would assume that if it is really frequent then it would take away time from teaching. Also, aren't tests and assignments supposed to gauge how students are processing the information?

model,manager and motivator. all is fine and necessary. but the ability to package the material and present it is the most important skill.

is it apropriate to tailor your tests for "challenged" students

how long should you try to "hammer" in a subject before you move on

how do you not favor the students who pay better attention throurh out the school year.

how do you teach a student that is blind and hearing impaired?

I like to question the students after i present material so i can get a feel of how well they grasped the material.

any sujestions overall

any grading iDEAS OR TEST STRATEGIES

i am new at this any sugestions

how can i make the first time more productive and less traumatic