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Ask a question from your peers to help you in your professional work. Seek different points of view on a topic that interests you. Start a thought-provoking conversation about a hot, current topic. Encourage your peers to join you in the discussion, and feel free to facilitate the discussion. As a community of educators, all members of the Career Ed Lounge are empowered to act as a discussion facilitator to help us all learn from each other.

Instructor Enthusiasm.

The more ehtnusiastic the instructor, the more likely to have students become more involved in class.

Knowing your students.

Knowing your students interests helps in motivating them.

Working in small groups.

I start my course with students working as teams on specific tasks, then gradually work into individual assignments. This allows students that are already familiar to some degree with certain processes help those that are not. Those students that may have struggled working alone are brought up to a level where they can perform successfly when the assignments become their individual responsibility. All involved gain confidense in their abilities. Both those abilities they may already possess and those they are developing. I believe this enhances the students' security in the learning environment.

adult learners

Many of my adult learners fear that their unfamiliarity with technology will be a barrier, not simply "feling disadvantaged compared to others" (the implied reference is to younger people, I suppose, who grew up with tech). I enourage them by saying that they can learn applications rather quickly, if they try, but experience -- perspective on life -- takes years and there is no fast way. What else can I add?

Work related.

Showing and giving examples of job related topics provides the student with real life reference.

Focus.

I will change methods as the term is coming to a close. By changing and re-focusing I think aids in bring all the part together.

Greetings.

It is important to have that interaction as they enter the room for the start of class.

Needs.

Course become earier when students needs are address. Understanding what they need is important.

Motivation

I believe motivation comes from the instructor although the students need motivation whithin themselves also. When the are excited about waht there learning and going to be doing it motivates them to succeed and work hard.

focus on students

I think keeping focus would be to make sure that you are excited and knowledgeable about what you are teaching.

Projects

I have found that Haveing in class projects helps alot also Having displays for students to look at and comment on.

Age Groups

It seems that some adult learners already think they know everything already so it can be hard to retrain there mind set. Are there some ways to redirect them.

Motivation through personal experiences

My students ALWAYS seem motivated to learn a topic when they, or one of their classmates relates a personal experience or anecdote related to the topic we are learning.

Don't get caught up in technicalities

It's always a challenge to keep moving ahead in class and not get sucked into the students technical problems...things like: tuition/academic status/registration, etc. I have to try hard to get them to take care of these issues on breaks or before/after class so it doesn't interrupt the whole class!

Motivation

We are essential in the motivation of the students and positive reinforcement and oppeness are very important.

Student Feedback

Feedback gives the adult learner an opportunity to offer some of their suggestions and experiences to a course. This also makes them feel as though they are heard.

The Human Side

Most students do not view their instructors as human in my experience unless you are able to build report through sharing your life experiences. There is definitely value in sharing a few of your emotions during professional experiences in the field.

Knowing your students.

Knowing your students gives you a better opportunity to understand their specific learning style, abilities, and personal goals. This information will help you to teach and also encourage each student as an individual.

Security

It is true that security or the feel of an adult learner specially middle age learner that never been at school for years can interfere with continuing school, because they do not belief themselves able to perform well at school or succeed in the program, they feel that it is a better fit for younger learner.the methods of enhancing or solving this issue was very practical, easy to follow which will be my goal with the next group starting class.also giving the opportunity to the student to suggest or choose or select give them some control on the learning process which once they feel it they will be motivated to accomplish , bring all their efforts and strive to succeed.

older versus younger students

I often find that my older students express frustration regarding how much the younger students are "babied" along.....for example, allowed extra chances or extra time to complete projects. I don't allow this in my classes, but it is tolerated in other classes. The older students express their frustration to me. How do I handle this situation without denigrating other instructors?