Cristie Lovedahl-Steele

Engage and inspire.

Focus on the students. Know why they are enrolled in the course. Adult learners have an attention span of 10-15 minutes. Make lessons engaging by altering lecture and activities.

Student directed learning. Adult learners have various skills and experiences. Encouragement and acknowledging achievement fosters student motivation and success in reaching goals they set for themselves.

Knowing about your students and what unique traits and skills they bring to the classroom. Encouraging students to make real-world/real-life connections to the content.

Keep lecture notes to stay focused. Vary the teaching style.

What is a strategy for engaging a student who is constantly on their phone or on an electronic device, not paying attention or participating in class?

Introduce yourself and have students tell something about themselves to facilitate getting to know each other.

Be prepared. Set the expectation that students are responsible for their learning and provide a welcoming classroom in which there is mutual respect.

Know your students and model professionalism.  Be prepared and have an individual/professional development plan to facilitate growth.