Humor actually changes brain chemistry. The chemical change is enhancing to learning. Instructors need to be willing to laugh at themselves. We should never have humor at the expense of others. Recognizing a situation presents an opportunity for situational humor is a great skill to develop. You will know if you have got it when everyone in the room--even the most serious ones--at least come out with a chuckle.

I find this to be very important. I remember that even myself as a student would get into a "lull" midcourse and start to lose interest and wonder why I was there at all. I think that by doing a midcourse evaluation and having the students take an inventory of the course so far is important to recapture their interest and commitment and to enable them to remember why they are there to begin with. At the begining of my course I have my students make a mission statement after a class I teach about goals, intentions and our "why" for being there. I have the students put their mission statement at the front of their binders so that they are reminded daily why they are there. I'm thinking now that midcourse it would be a good idea to have a class on re evaluating and reviewing their mission statements to recapture their commitment and purpose.

One of the challenges in working with the adult learner is to be able to pick up on subtle behaviors that indicate that they may be having a personal crisis. Of course, it helps to know the students well. Instructors who spend a great deal of time in the educational setting with a student naturally know them better. These situations can range from a cold to a divorce of the worst order. These students need special attention and encouragement.

It is true that even as adults we are still interested in being rewarded with candy, playing games, being competative and look forward to pizza or ice cream parties! The other day I gave my students a quiz and rewarded them with mini candy bars for every question they got right without having to look at their textbooks and they loved it! They passed the test immediately after with 100% and completed it within 10 minutes! I wasn't sure the candy method would work for them but they were all over it!

I was just curious and would like to see feedback on what other instructors have experienced in their class rooms, or in the work place on which (intrinsic or extrinsic) factor "creates" a more successful experience? Perhaps it's a point of view.

the question is: how do you motivate an ADD student without threatening his autonomy and false sense of security....

My students aren't motivated - how can I help them? Instructors have a lot to do with their students' motivational level. A student may arrive in class with a certain degree of motivation. But the instructor's behavior and teaching style, the structure of the course, the nature of the assignments and informal interactions with students all have a large effect on student motivation. We may have heard the utterance, "my students are so unmotivated!" and the good news is that there's a lot that we can do to change that.

I learned a lot about motivation with respect to both Intrinsic and extrinsic factors. I will definitely be taking this to the classroom!

I feel student's learn and retain instruction when there is a high level of positive energy in the classroom, that will create an exciting learning environment.

I have noticed that the adult learners are really focused in the class, filled with energy and are looking for learning a new skill and applying them to their life, they also are rich in their life experiences and they share it with us and this have helped out in delivering the information in a practical ways.

The instructors in the videos are great, with great experience, very informative and they explained it in very simple and practical cases. i do believe everything they said about knowing your students, because this is the key to your students and your class.

I liked the way the compare active learner virsus passive learner. as this will help me out in the class in approching both types of learners so i can augment their learning skills. and this will definitely have a strong impact on my students.

i think best method for retention is to keep the students excited and to expect quizes or new discussion forms every day and possible qifts cards after they pass their test .

kEEPING THE STUDENTS INSTREST SHOULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF TEACHING ONCE WE LOSE THE STUDENT ATTENTION THE LEARNING PROCESS IS TURNED OFF SO WE HAVE TO KEEP THE STUDENT ENGAGED IN THE SUBJECT SO THEY FEEL LIKE THE HAVE ACHEIVED THEIR GOLD.

I have observed instructors struggling to manage a class and maintain the boundary line that separates the instructor as a friend in order to maintain order in the classroom or encourage participation. Any suggestions on strategies to achieve successful participation and interactive environment without crossing the boundary line.

I try to lead by example when teaching classes. I think this provides motivation for the students because instead of being told what to do, I work alongside them as a member of the kitchen team, rather than a supervisor. Thus promoting motivation rather than subordination.

As educators, we have all lived lives through our careers. We strive to train the newest in our field to perform at the highest levels to ensure that our craft does not die.

I am currently an instructor at the LCB and I relate my success to my inspirational chefs from LCB Pasadena. I am an alma mater an directly attribute my success to my teachers who offered personal and business advice taking time out of their lives to inspire me

As teachers, we must be very patient and tolerant to people in all walks of life. We are educators who lead by example both in our careers and our personal lives. I have always learned to never judge a book by it's cover. And that everyone in life has a story. If we are kind enough to listen and interpret before we didactically try to instruct, our students have a better chance at success.

I favor the idea of the student having security during the learning experience.