Richard Ernest

Discussion Comment

We prohibit the use of smart phones in the classroom unless it is for research. Students are allowed to look up career related subjects (facebook is not one of them though) Many of my fellow instructors are placing course material online. Some are using a Google app, while others are developing Kahn Academy style videos to help students go back and listen to a particular lecture and go over it for key points they may have missed. One instructor even has QR Codes on his class handouts so the students can scan them with their smartphone and have the lab… >>>

Richard Ernest

Discussion Comment

Motivation

Instructors need to be able to get their students pumped and excited about what they are getting ready to learn. This makes for a much better learning environment in that the students are paying attention, listening, taking good notes, and just all around happy and excited to be there.

Richard Ernest

Discussion Comment

Keeping Students Focused

This seems to be the biggest challenge for me. They always seem to be checking their phone for texts or Facebook or running around the lab area to talk to their friends in other classes. What is a good way to beat this issue?

Richard Ernest

Discussion Comment

Questions

After taking this course, I realize now that I use A LOT of "Closed" questions. I need to learn to incorporate more "Open" questions in my lectures. Is it a bad idea to write them down and ask them that way?

Richard Ernest

Discussion Comment

Lectures

I find it very difficult to grasp and maintain the students attention during lecture. The subject I teach can be a very dry portion of their overall 20 months here at our college. There is very little "hands on" training during this period, therefore we have a fairly low retention rate through this time. But because of the type of training, the students must complete my portion first before they can move on to the "fun" part of learning. Any suggestions on ways to possibly improve this?