I've been teaching a Microsoft Office course for many years. I know that this is one of the first courses that students take when they enter our school. It is an online course, so there are not any tests, only assignments. I've always been very easy going when it comes to turning in late work. Some of this is tension from the school (they do not want students to drop-out) and the fact that I just want the students to learn the material. After reading about the "Real World" examples, I wonder if I've been doing my students a service or a disservice by being so lenient when it comes to late work. Is there something that I can do differently that will keep the school happy with good retention rates, but also teach the students the importance of meeting deadlines? Or, is it better to be easy on the new students and keep my existing strategy. This strategy involves tricking the students into thinking I have deadlines when really I don't. Thanks for your comments! Steve

I'm having a difficult time allowing a few adult learners to get into groups. The shy students sit in their seats and hope I don't make them move to a group. They know that group participation is part of a participation grade, but that doesn't seem to matter. I don't want to embarrass them and incur the wrath of a passive aggressive attitude. Any suggestions?

Ask a question and an engaged and enthusiastic student answers - great answer. Next question same student. I like the suggestions in the study of giving students color cards and asking for answers from certain color sections. However, I usually ask students to raise their hands when the question requires a specific answer, that way I can say, "Angela you give such well thought out answers I would like to hear from some of the other students. If the discussion requires open ended answers, I might have students get into groups of three and discuss the answer for 3 min. before I ask the groups to contribute their answers in an open forum.

I did not know that stress caused so many health problems. I am a fairly emotional guy and when something bothers me,stress,I usually talk to someone about it before I make a mountain out of a mole hill.

Techniques that are employed by instructors to manage their stress, should be shared so that others can benefit also. Decrease stress do produce a healthier working and personal environment.

Stress is ever present and is a toxin that will create havoc when the opportunity arises. If one can learn to manage and harness the stress, then productivity and health will rebound.

When sharing an office space with another instructor, areas of privacy and sharing should be established.This will prevent any establishment of a toxin environment.

IF an instructor does not establish a "to do" list in order to accomplish the days' objectives, then the students will not receive the necessary material for the topic in study.

I formst my quizes using the same front and spacing to be able to save time when I use either the same or modified question on a final test.

Common mistakes instructors make with adult students is sharing to much personal information and wanting to be their buddies.

Set classrooms rules inadvance, monitor class environment throughout the class periods and adress poor behavior promptly!

When dealing with challenging student it's important to keep an open line of communication and let them know you want the best for them!

Having students take part in announcing each objectives helps student to realize it's importance!

RUNNING AND BREATHING CAN HELP COPE WITH STRESS. MANY PEOPLE FINE OTHER WAYS OF COPING WITH STRESS AND MOST ARE OK AS LONG AS THEY NOT LEAD TO OTHER PROBLEMS.

A LOT OF STRESS CAN BE CAUSED BY OTHER INSTRUCTORS NOT DOING THEIR JOBS COMPLETELY AND THAN HAVING THE STUDENT COMPLAIN TO YOU ABOUT THE IMPROPER TRAINING.IF EVERYONE PERFORMS THEIR JOB PROPERLY THAN STRESS IS REDUCED FOR ALL.

WHEN OFFICE IS SHARED IT TAKE COOPERATION FROM EVERYONE TO MAKE IT WOOK, BUT IT CAN BE DONE.

This is a subject that I know will make people mad. It always does! Stress is something that people bring on to themselves. How people conduct their own lives is how stress will affect them. Things like procrastination or not having projects organized by importance will cause stress. Waiting until the last minute to get task completed will also be stressful. The list goes on and on….

The most common mistake seems to be not listening to a student. You can hear a person, but are you truly listening

I have many times address student behavior by getting the student more involved in class

being understanding to that students needs will help ease the that troubled students.