The other day a student was sleeping in my class. I stopped class and told him that he had to keep awake. I gave him suggestions on how to do this. The student jumped out of his chair and told my that he had a medical problem and I didn't care about him. When I got to him as he was trying to leave the building I told him I do care. I explained to him that I have a son with the same disability, I also told him that I'm the kind of person that looses sleep over things like that. we talked awhile and I found out that he was out of medication which was the root of the problem. I gave him a few suggestions to fix the problem and now this student is doing great. Communication is the Key. I've also had simular situation go the other way. Teaching is a never ending battle to communicate.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with students that only hear negativity? No matter what I say to this one student, she just shuts down and accuses me of putting her down. She really twists my words around. I don't have this problem with any other student. It is almost to the point where I will just not say anything so that she won't get the wrong idea. She's got plenty of potential, but her attitude is holding her back.

I am curious of some strategies to get students to show up on time. I teach 8:00am classes and I find, even though they registered themselves for the morning class, it is "too early" for them to be prompt. They often come in thirty minutes late. I have tried encouragement or not providing them with the notes for the day but it does not seem to be effective.

I always introduce myself to my class, with my background and some of my personal info. I believe that this gives the students an oportunity to see that we are also human and in some cases alot like our students.

I find that on the first day of my class, that when i go around the room and have students introduce themselves and say where they are from, is a great ice breaker. This also gives me as the instructor, a chance to make small talk with each student, it also turns out that alot of the student may live close to one another. This helps in recognizing some of the characteristcs of your students as well as identifying some familiararity with other students that may be able to assist students with some issues.

I always make a point to know as much as possible about my students so that if they need my help with anything I know about them, their home life, their family, their time restraints, etc. I think it is important in developing a rapport with your students to know what they are all about.

I have found it very motivational to have guest speakers and to take students on field trips.

I have found it very helpful to have guest speakers or take students on a field trip. This helps to reinforce there reason for coming to school.

This can be a very important tool when your students have a hard time with a particular topic. I feel that this concept can help me as well.

I have found it important that initially dealing with student frustrations can be a great help in the long run. If you let it go on unresolved it will continue to be a problem.

On the first day of class I have printed tent cards with their names on them and underneath their name it says Automotive Technician. The tent cards look professional with our company logo on them. This does two things, one I remember their names very quickly, and also reinforces the fact of why they came here, and what they are to become. I also have a tent card that says Automotive Technician. This says Big Me and Big You. If I have any problems pronoucing their names we take a minute and phonicly spell their names. Like Mine is Mr. Knee-rad. What are you guys doing?

Yes, I agree that if an instructor uses the "ah, uhm" frequently when answering a questions, the reliability of that instructor's answer might also be in question.

Instructor's humor about class topic, students' involvement in relating class topic with their life experiences and guiding them to succeed in class are most of the ingredients to student retention.

Building a rapport with students should be something that an instructor strives to do. If we can build a rapport, then we can build trust. If the trust is there they will reach their full potential

I have found that simply respecting our students often build rapport. Even when I don't agree with how they dress, act or other. Young men and women are seeking respect (think back to how we felt at that age). If we don't respect them as human beings and individuals then we loose their respect and everyone looses.

As an instructor, motivating 18 and 19 year olds can be challenging. I have utilized all the techniques taught in this module at one time or another. Understanding what motivates the individual is the key.

sometimes it the students, not the subject matter that motivate the instructor

Students need to feel motivated, and that can be achieved by an exciting and engaging lecture.

Student involvement is vitally important to retention.

With online courses they feel more at home.