In my classes I come to contact with a diverse student backgrounds and age. Sometimes the gap in ages seems to be a stumbling block to unity in class discussions. How can the content of discussion be narrowed to include different age groups?

One of the best ways to improve as an Instructor is student feedback evaluation. As a new instructor what are some ways to obtain student feedback throughout the course other than direct questioning?

In sales we are taught that in addition to the purchase, it is impportant that there is "value added" to complete the sale. Teaching is like that. The students need more then just a grade, more then just the specific required information, they need to take home with them an additional amount of information consider under the category of value added. This could be career information, job hunting tips, interview skills, management or leadership information and or tips about activities in the region that might be of interest

Real life experiances and stories to back them up is a great aid to students and letting them know we are not perfect.

After we give test we give out advisment forms when students perfom below passing, and this gives them a point to say to themselves that they need to step up and do better

I try to make the class fun by telling stories about life experiances I have had in the feild

After the first week of my class, I start off the next class by asking now how do you look at food and this career now. Then the stories & discussions begin. They are amazed what they have already learned in one week. This keeps the class motavated and wanting to learn more.

Having a great sense of humor always revitalizes the class and promotes discussions. The first day I tell all the students. No matter how bad your day is, I will make sure you when you leave you will have a smile and a new outlook for that day. We all have great stories that relate to our career. Tell them. It shows the trials that they will face and hopefully be ready for them.

Teaching students from different cultural, financial, social and age backgrounds at a vocational level is a real challenge for me at times. Students bring with them all kinds of expectations that we might never live up to. I have learnt to make some accommodations for students while not diluting what I am trying to teach them. I find a good way to get through to students at my school is to remind them that they are all there pursuing a dream, and that dreams are not easy to attain but I am here to help them achieve this goal. I point out that our differences may make us unique but we can all learn something new from each other.

I motivate students by involving them in the subject contents in all of the lectures. I also make all of the students get involved and do their own lab assignments.

with some students motivation is very hard for them some have jobs and familey that take up a lot of thier time even with the want that they have for the school it may make it hard for them with these students I ask them what can I do to help you, with the understanding I'm not giving you a free ride but how can I make it a little bit easyer for that student. For other students it seems that they will rebut any thing that you try, these are the ones that realy need your help and these are the ones that cann't bring themselves to recieve it in any form, at least not in public.

I put it this way because you may not always see what is going on and until you can see the student in his eyes, class time may not be enjoyable for that student. some classes no matter how they are taught can and will be a challenge for some students. so seeing the class from thier eyes is a way of understanding how they feel on what is being taught. and an insight on what changes you may need to make to teach that class better.

I understand that business is business and the bottom line is what drive it's I also understand that with out the student there we would not have a business. So with that said, retention seems harder to reach the level at witch we need to have with the way things are going in the USA. But I can say that if we can reach the students and make them aware it is a good thing for them to stay in school by asking them what goal it is that they wish reach in life. What are the things that they enjoy and is fun to them. With this info you may be able to reach more through using this information as a tool. by tighing things that are being taught to the students with things that they enjoy doing, seeing or hearing. If this can be done early on your retention would be higher and more students would enjoy your class.

with some students it not that you understand them it's if they fear that you are to much of a authoritarian and they can not or will not let someone else tell them what to do or even direct them to do better. I have had some students fear that they would show weakness if they did so because of thier back ground,it would not be acceptable.

Being able to adapt your presentation style and content to the needs of your students is what is all about and make sure they are learning

I have a student this course that shows no emotions not even facial ones.He is very smart and does every thing well. He does not hardly talk to anyone including me the Instructor. I did get him to laugh and after two weeks he does talk more. Does any one have some advice on how to get him out of his shell? He is going to have to talk to customers.Help?

There are ways to read your students from day one,I stand at the door and great my students on the 1st day. This gives me several opservations too see the following: 1.To see for proper hygene 2.Proper Shoes 3.I.D and safety glasses 4.Attitude 5.Who they hang out with. 6.Where they sit. 7.To greet them. 8.Show them I care about them and the rules

I am an automotive instructor and some of the terms of our feild do not have direct translstions. how then do you get someone who does not speak english well to understand the concept i am teaching?

Empathy, enthusiasm, confidence, these are the building blocks to keep students aware and active in a class room. Motivating students is really easy. Be confident and show them in their learning style. If you are enthusiastic during the process the students will follow and learn then becomes really easy.

When teaching a class, it is important to keep the attention of your students. Demos of product, the how to and whys are always great. Real life experiences added in keep the class room running also. Being in a tech school must of the students here learn from hands on and touching the product. My students learn from doing a task better than reading a book and that is why I say demos are a good thing.