Helen Kratochvil

I have students with all types of disabilities. I find just learning a little about each one and what they need by taking them aside from the rest of the class and out of the view of the class and discussing it helps. Sometimes they are too embarrassed to talk about what they need and would fail before asking. If I see a student struggling, I usually talk to them on a break during class with no one around or after class and ask them if there is anything that we can do together to make their learning experience a… >>>

I try and add a few personal experiences to each class, it lets them know that we are human too and that we have had struggles as well.  It helps to motivate them and let them know that "hey, if they did it, I can do it."

I think online learning is fantastic.  It allows students that have babysitting, car problem, and motivation issues to sit in their own homes on the couch and do their lessons.  It is hard especially for single parents to find caregivers to attend school everyday and not to mention if they work, finding time around the job and family.  I think in the future we will see more and more online degrees than ever before.

I find it helpful to go around the room and have the students introduce themselves because it helps me learn their names. I have them also state their career plan. I have a sheet that I always hand out at the beginning of the semester that has several questions on it. The questions include: It has their favorite subject. Their career goal. Their current job. Their class expectation. This lets me know if they are working 50 hours a week and trying to go to school, what is their favorite subject, their expectation of the class and what career goals… >>>

It is important to have rules and policies of your class in the syllabus and have them sign a "received syllabus" form so they cannot say they never received it and have no clue about the rules. Making sure all of the rules of the class such as make up policy, attendance policy, class content and expectations are all covered day one so they cannot come later with confusion of the rules. Letting the class know that you are avialable to work with them and to contact you for questions makes them feel more at ease about being nervous taking… >>>

Planning ahead is a big thing. Always being prepared with the proper coursework for that lecture and class and the proper amount of copies and materials for the students, they like to see that the instructor is prepared or it sets a bad example and makes them not trust the abilities of the instructor. Being consistent also builds trust in an instructors abilities. Students look up to their instructors as role models and they tend to put the instructor on a pedestal. Being consistent with the same rules for all classes lets them know that your not bending rules for… >>>