Can anyone suggest new innovative ways to connect with adult learners?

When we can share our excitment about what we do it spreads like fire through out the class. It gets people intrested, maybe not in exactly what we are talking about but intrested in how they can discover what it is in life that can bring out that kind of excitment in themselves.

Its about having the tenacity to regroup that truly teaches our students about what its like out in the real world. You fall down you get back up- you try again.

What about those students who will not participate in classroom activities? As an example, during one session demonstrating the various button strokes needed to solve problems on the school calculators, one student would not touch his calculator. During a practice quiz, immediately afterward, The student still would not use his calculator to solve the conversion problems and missed all of the example problems. After the quiz we reviewed any problems students had trouble with and still no participation from this individual. What more can I do?

Most of our courses are associated with some sort of lab experience for the students allowing them to apply their newly obtained skills or knowledge with hands on application. I have found this greatly enhances their understanding of the subject matter before a course final exam is administered. I think this gelling of information experience has allowed some students who were lacking in the needed knowledge to pass the final exam, pass a course they might not. I think this is proof, this method be continued and even extended into some sort of "lab" experience for other subjects. Am I off base?

What about those students that despite all efforts to get them involved with class activities, just will not join in?

Students can be motivated by several activities which include the expertise of the instructor, instructor's passion, and the sequencing of events

Instructor's skills and ability to express content should be coupled with excitement

Showing respect to all students will show that all students are valued equally and inso doing maintain an amicable classroom experience

Adult learners bring to the classroom special qualities for a multigeneration population. students of all ages learn from each other's experiences

I have notice (after handing out) any topic of paper work to the class, most students just place that paper work away. But once I start, and bring up (what said topic) is about, they wake up. But not all students, read or at less look at it. To keep students focus, show why these "handout" are good for like: reference, the next test, or projects, and how it must be used. Not all topics are in books so "handout" are the next best think.

Ive found that many adult students come with intrinsic motivation for some classes, i.e. their medical assisting courses, but less with their general education or college success course. Also, the mixed age sometimes leads to peer motivation, or lack thereof, that same-age groups sometimes have. I have been consistently challenged by the speed of some students to complete challenging tasks and the lack of speed with others.

I started a new term today and as we did the ice breaker, I wrote down something each student said that was a motivation for them to start this course of study. This couse has reminded me how important the students original motivation for starting the program is in keeping the motivation alive. I always keep working with motivational toools from what i hear them say currently, but remembering their hot button in the begining and support it as need is very important.

I try to utilize this technique with my students to help encourage them. I find it best to pair students who are not understanding with students who have comprehension of the subject matter. It gives the students a different viewpoint and maybe helps clarify their understanding.

I don't like the use of the term "career college student" in these CEUs. To me and everyone I know it means someone who attends college for as long as they can because they want to put off getting a job or someone whose college performance is so poor that it takes them an inordinate amount of time to graduate. I'm reminded of the John Belushi line in "Animal House" where in front of Dean Wormer he expresses his frustration of expulsion with, "six years of college down the drain." I'd like to see the term be modified to more accurately reflect the intended meaning - "career-oriented college student."

An instructor should frequently praise his or her students. When an instructor praises a student,it can only motivate the student to do better in his or her course work. For example, if a student does not understand the reading material completly, praise the student for his or her efforts and help the student understand the reading material. This motivation strategy will lead to improving the student's learning process.

Most of my adult learners have a lot on their plate. They are single-parents,have school full-time, have a full-time job, plus some are taking care of their parents and some have major health problems. With all this, most students are organized--meaning that they have their homework completed before class, come to class on time with a good attitude, and are extremely motivitated to learn.I love teaching adult learners.

Assisting students on staying focused of their objectives for returning to school will keep them motivated to succeed. Reinforcing that they made the correct career choice encourages them to continue with their education.

Keeping students active in class will assist in keeping them allert and receptive to the information. Relating the material to any past experience will show a form of relevance to the material being covered. It will make the material more relatable.

During the Lecture Instructor should create questions regarding the course topics of the day that will allow all students the opportunity to participate. In addition, setting up group activities surrounding the material is very good for class interaction. With doing so they instructor can evaluate how well the student retained the information.