Arlene Muller

Loren, I agree with your words,"They need to hear these affirmations from their instructors even when they don't do so well on an assignment."  That is why I use these words when I returned my student's papers, I evaluated your performance on this assignment not your potential.  Next time show me your potential.  Using a number score rather than a grade also helps.

Lyn,  I really like your words concerning Student Motivation,"Organization is essential. Flexibility is a must. Good communication with students is an important component. Being creative and changing the types of assignments you give also helps."  You concluded that you also need to connect with the individual students.  Thank you for your thoughts.  I thought you " Hit the Nail on the Head."

Della, You "Hit the Nail on the Head" when you stated, " Students need consistency which means it has to be enforced across the board for them to really get it."  I believe in standardization of classroom procedures to be part of the Syllabus to state the rules required in the classroom.  Our goal is to  establish structure, which will help our students learn skills and habits (no matte what age) to function in the outside and professional world.

Yes Dr. Talai your recommendation does work and when the student becomes the instructor the mood changes in the classroom.  When I was the Director of Education I always told my instructors when they are unable to teach because of student distractions send the students to me.  This was a procedures that was followed and worked on our campus.

Dennis,  I agree with your statement: It is our jobs as educators at all levels to create engagement with students and part of that engagement is to create opportunities for students to interact.  Thank you for your voice on this subject.

Yes, we all agree that motivating students is a priority and a challenge.  Our students entered a program to learn skills for a new career position.  We can use Power Point presentations, small group discussions, presentations and creative projects to build their interest and keep them motivated.  I feel that, whatever we do in the classroom as instructors, we must always focus on the new career skills we are presenting to our students.  Being relevant and showing urgency are often our best tools in motivating our student.