Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Barbara, Sometimes it is hard for people to realize that even though we may be very well trained in our field we need to expand our expertise in to other areas as well, in this case teaching. You are on the right track with your professional development plan. Look for little ways you can gain additional insight on how to be a better instructor. Sit in on some classes and observe other instructors. You will be amazed at the "best practices" you can pick up from these individuals. This will help you to develop your own teaching style as… >>>

Hi Elizabeth, One of the keys for successful teaching is pacing. Have your class laid out into 10-15 segments of lecture and then activity. This change of pace lets the students refocus their brains on different paths. They are using semantic learning for the lecture and then working memory with the activities with reinforces the semantic or content part of the course. After several of these 10-15 lecture/activity efforts stop and then do a group case study or problem solving project. This will serve to keep the students engaged throughout the four hour class. Let me know how you make… >>>

Hi Mable, The use of student groups will really help all of the students become involved. This is due to peer pressure from each of the group members for each of them to pitch in and carry their weight and the fact that in small groups even the most shy students will contribute. Have your small groups come to the front of the classroom and sit behind a table as a panel of experts would. Since you are asking them to become experts in certain topics the panel formal will work well. This way each member of the group can… >>>