I think that pretesting is an excellent idea. This is a great way to find out where are students strong and weak points and help them excelle.

I loveto use Flip Charts, this gets the students into the subject being taught and they are particpating without any force. ( when you have to say that this is a grade)

I always plan field trip related to the Program in which I teach (Sterile Processing), but I never thought about having a Guest speaker, I would feel as an instructor that having a group of students at a site to recieve a hands-on tour would be much more beneficial and would be much more exciting than a guest speaker!

A good portion of my class has limited computer experience but is required to perform a multitude of exercises using one in order to pass the class (there is no standard of student we will turn away). Using Blooms Taxonomy theory of addressing the different levels of learning is the cornerstone for my classroom presentation. Knowing I will probably not be able to move a good portion of my students past Application is a realistic understanding I go in with, however making sure they attain at least a step above simple knowledge recall/recognition and are at least capable of comprehension of the material is my goal. For a few shining stars application is possible with a touch of analysis. Incorporating the four different learning styles seems to weed out some of the redundant questions up front. Adam

As a student as well as instructor I have always injoyed using my overhead projector as a tool to include the whole class. When used as a form to project a peetree dish you can discuss with the whole class what is being observed and it helps get everyone involved. Your able to point out certain areas of interest and everyone will have a clear view. Works wonders in the science lab for all shorts of presentations

Liked the idea of giving a DIFFERENT test for make-ups.

tests should be presented as a learning opportunity to the student and not the final evaluation of the course. tests give a student gauges and not finality

by identifying the processing levels of your students it is absolutely necessary that you understand their way of learning IE auditory, visual, and kinesthetic

power point is only a way to highlight specific points ones who read off power point limit themselves to being successful beyond themselves

I like to give weekly quizzes just to see if the information that was presented that week was absorbed.

If you constantly change how you present material to your students this will keep them from becoming bored. Show a movie one day, have a group assignemnt the next class; then do a powerpoint presentation for the next class. Using different techniques keeps it interesting and caters to all different types of learning.

You should always speak positive of your career. Students that are hesitant or on the fence and ready to give up, are searching for one reason to give up, and any negative feedback may give them what they are looking for..Do you agree?

Ask your students what they want out of the class. Find out where they would like to go if a field trip is an option, and who they would like to see come and speak to the class as far as a guest speaker. You would be amazed how many students have relatives or friends that work in the same or similar field that they are going to school for and you can utilize their contacts for a guest speaker or perhaps a field trip.

I try to never use the powerpoint slides from the publisher, they are totally disconnecting from the way I use adult learning principles in he class. I did like the way that the Harvard faculty use the whiteboard and I am a big fan of flipcharts to recognize students comments.

Chefs, It never ceases to amaze me the negative and condescending attitudes many chef instructors bring into the class room. Many chefs in the field and class room have bad attitudes and pomp us approaches. This yields little room for learning and retention of instruction; be it demonstration or theory based on their pomp us and condescending attitude towards students or future culinarians. Students in any given field will embrace your views, be mindful of your instruction and retain what your preaching if you just humble your approach and talk to them as humans on their level. Humble yourself, your approach, and you will be amazed at the students retention of your given topic/course of study.

There are several assessment tools to assist the instructor in understanding what they do best with groups of peoples...my school uses Insights. I have taken and am certified in MBTI, DISC, and a host of others. This type of activity would be best served in an all faculty meeting

When evaluating students, I feel an instructor must use a variety of methods such as multiple choice, true or false, matching choice, and essay questions to make sure the student are being assessed in different ways.

I feel that if an instructor is having issues delivering materials to the class, having anonymous report card given back is a great way to assess what is happening. Especially when students don’t feel as though they’re being targeted.

I found it interesting to read through this course that the maximum number of points should be five on one slide for power point presentations. I guess it makes since that too many points can make things appear cluttered.

I pride myself on being firm but fair. That is how a live my life. I have young children and manage people as well as a classroom. When you are constantly trying to accommodate people it creates more problems than you ever dreamed of. Establish an understanding early on and remain true to your commitment to the student and they will respect you more for it.