Barry Westling

Christine, A good field trip is worth its weight in gold (if gold is motivation, inspiration and determination). Barry Westling

Joyce, I try to always have something to pass around, either to demonstrate, or just keep the interest of the class. Handling objects is just such a simple but effective method to keep attention and the flow of the class moving along. Barry Westling

Joyce, Great. And I would also suggest you ask your "guest" if they have suggestions. Networking can pay dividends. Barry Westling

Curran, Very true. Recognition is a powerful stimulus and motivator. Even lower performing students can be motivated by positive feedback from the instructor that suggests we haven't given up on them. Barry Westling

Curran, Whatever we find from pretesting gives the instructor an edge in determining where to tweak the class lesson plans. Barry Westling

Curran, Wonderful. There's a principle somewhere that students will perform, participate, and achieve higher levels of understanding when they collectively feel their instructor cares, and is willing to assist them be successful. Barry Westling

David, Suppose you wanted cover "X,W,and Z". Could you conjure up 5 or 10 bits of information they ought to know? If so, you could begin the class by giving a non graded exam, and as a review, discuss each answer with the class as an exercise. This might take 10-15 minutes, but you'd be fairly well informed where that particular cohort of students level of understanding is. Barry Westling

Curran, Yeah, and sometimes an instructor has to learn that the hard way. Another aspect is our employer. Don't we owe them our full efforts since they are paying us to be ready? Barry Westling

Joseph, One suggestion is to seek out recent past graduates who are working, successful, and have good memories of their time in school. Although they may be lacking in experience, they usually make up for it with their enthusiasm, energy, positive perspective, and, their familiar with the school, program, and methods to navigate classes successfully. Also there's something accepting about student to student discussion that's somehow a bit more believable (I suppose hearing from ones own adds credibility). Barry Westling

Jason, Right. Plus, the opportunity for the instructor to intervene, and time for the student to make needed corrections is more likely when the instructor is diligent with distributing grade information promptly. Barry Westling