I have been struggling with a student who has a lot of things going on outside of school that are getting in the way of his education. We had to have a serious heart to heart about focusing on himself and putting away his issues when he walks through the door. I have been struggling with how to get him to focus on particularly bad days. He drifts off and I catch him on Facebook when he should be working.

I'd like to recommend the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) as an excellent tool for reducing emotional (and also sometimes physical) stress. EFT is a remarkably effective tool for reducing emotional anxiety to a more manageable level so that we can deal more effectively with the troubling situation. Based on meridian therapy (like accupressure and shiatsu), this technique is easily learned and easily used by anyone. It's also quick to apply and unobtrusive. For more information, including specific instruction on how to use EFT, I refer you to Gary Craig's website, GaryThink.com. What I particularly appreciate about Gary is his willingness to share the technique, including specific instructions on how to do it, at no charge.

On so many forums, in some my classes, said in so many books: Instructors, GET TO KNOW YOUR STUDENTS. Ok, i do. And then I figure out that I don't really like who they are as a person... or a student. OR I figure out that I really do like this person as a person, beyond them being my student. And some people I don't like as students, but like a person or vice versa. How, oh how, do I reconcile this? What do I do? Do I get to know them or not? How much do I get to know them? when they say something that implied they want to share something person, do I ignore it? Please help me. I REALLY want your opinions/ insights. Thank you.

What are some of your thoughts in regards to students answering, texting or just continually looking at their cell phones during class. My first thought was maybe my lectures were boring and after a few discussions, it revealed it wasnt boredom. Students stated various reaons such as looking at the time, or was expecting a call.

One of the ways i like to relive stress is on a demanding day is to go out for lunch to have a change of scenary with a fellow co-worker to just laugh or vent about the day so that i can be refreshed and energize for the rest of the day. I dont want my stress or problems to interfere with my ability to teach adults who ultimatly have the same worries that i do with life, bills, daycare and etc.

How do i get a silent student to interact even in small group settings?

the syllabus is an indispansable tolls for the student at the bigining of the class, so sad that some of them even not take a look on that....

Moving around the classroom helps maintain attention and prevents disruptive behavior. One of the biggest challenges is keeping students from texting, etc. during class.

Excellent tools of knowledge. A lot to work for and a grand challenge. I am sure we are all doing the best we can and want to. I look forward to these tools of professionalism.

It has recently come to my attention, and especially after almost completeing this course, that I am letting a couple people at my work get the "best" of me. A constant "stressor" to me, when I observe them doing absolutely "nothing" almost all day, and are receiving a paycheck!! I am learning to avoid going out into the hall or past the cafeteria...however, it is still a huge stessor to me. I am going to try to use the STRESS LIST. I will keep you posted.

Very challenging topic. I believe this brief course was a great asset to my classroom skills.

I got a lot of great tips with this module. I be-lieve in engaging all students in many ways. It certainly draws them together.

I view plaguerism as a form of student cheating and inform my students the first day of class my expectations on these hard topics.

I always start class with a fun, student-interaction activity.

I only show examples if I've removed the student identifying information.

We have many classrooms that are filled completely or with only a few seats remaining. The rooms cannot easily be modified to encourage groups or different tasks based on learning styles and classroom objectives. Does anyone have any suggestions for this? I would love to have more group activities but have not found a good way to do that.

Challenging students are getting more violent in theit attacks on faculty, talking to administrator sometimes adds more fuel to the fire.

A silent student has a barrier to commuincation and sometimes just need to be left alone.

Some instructors common mistakes are related to that some times there are students who are well versed in your subject also and it makes one nervous.

Exactly one year ago yesterday, I moved my family from Colorado to California to take a job as an intructor at U.T.I. So not only was I in a completely new place, I had a totally new kind of job. Learning to adapt to life outside of the diesel industy and learning to teach students how to get into said industry put a lot of stress on not only myself, but my family as well. The process of adapting to my new home state has been much slower than adapting to my new role as instructor. living in California can be a stress inducer at times...