Because I provide a lot information in my lesson plans, I've found that highlighting the main points make it easier for me to quickly remember what I'm transitioning to in the classroom.

Because my classes are four hours long, it's very important for me to plan a lot of extra material for each session. I never know how discussion will go each day so I have to make sure I have enough in my lesson plan to fill the four hours. I generally structure my classes so that the first half of the class is lecture, and the second is filled with activities that apply the material covered in the lecture. This way students can actively participate in their own learning.

I enjoyed reading the list of different instructor types, i.e. peacemaker, drill sergeant, etc. However, I feel it is important to emphasize that we can fall into at least a couple of these types from one degree to another. For example, I see myself as a peacemaker, but I can be a drill sergeant as well. The course mentions taking a personality assessment, in which I am in total agreement. However, most of these tests will not try to pigeon hole you into one distinct personality type. Rather, they will indicate your tendencies and to what degree you have towards a particular personality type.

It is always helpful to have the lesson plans to help guide your class, but sometimes you do move too quickly through a subject you expected to take the whole class. Most of the time the students do not know the basics, so it always good to review basics and terminology if you have extra time.

The Instructor Resource Material from the course I teach came with Jeopardy games. After the PowerPoint presentation we do the Jeopardy games. It is fun and forces everyone in the class, even the quite one, to participate.

Has anyone had to deal with "emergency lesson plans"? I was told by a supervisor that they are standard.

I do think that sometimes diagramming a procedure helps in understanding the flow of the testing process.

Sometime this task is difficult as one class will understand the material and another class will need extra instruction to understand presented material. This sort of throws off the flow of instruction/labs/testing from one class to the next.

As a relatively new instructor I find it helpful to choose a few different ways to present the same material so as to have the students be exposed to the most important material on more occasions than just during lecture and testing.

Is that OK for giving extra credit to all the assessment include quiz?

where do I find a good template to use for lesson plans.

Speak volumes about student comprehension, instructor teaching style and necessary changes for success.

Understanding your students competencies and backgrounds will allow you to change course towards a fair and accurate assessment of student comprehension.

As educators, we are challenged with realizing our students are stimulated by new and different learning formats; using more than two senses will help to keep them engaged and learning.

Students will appreciate and engage when they detect these personality traits in an instructor.

I have seen many teachers not prepared. I feel this is a big part in coming across as organized and knowledgeable of your subject area. The students are not confident in you, if you are not coming across as having your act together. many teachers have problems in this area and it is reflected in student surveys and comments. So, this is where it needs to start in being organized. Sarah

I think extra credit can really help many students. Depending on what you give as extra credit, you can really get give them good projects and/or great questions to answer on an exam. I think we as instructors should give students the opportunity to open up new challenges and offer variety with extra credit.

I think this module is very interesting. This is a problem that usually you just try and "deal" with. There are many techniques to re-engage a student and I think this module did a really good job at giving some techniques and ideas. There are so many variables when it comes to this topic. So many students have short attention spans, due to the bombardment of the media, videos, video games, etc. they want immediate gratification when it comes to grades and getting the class over with. It is a challenge to be engaging and also educational. It can be done, I am encouraged that we will keep looking for ideas and ways to engage our students. Sarah

I think that selecting instructional media can be difficult, especially when there is so much information out there to choose from. Students want us, as instructors to sort that out and guide and direct them to where they should go. I think power points can be good and bad. Good when you don't have alot of information to convey in a short period of time. Bad when you do have lots of information that may be critical to their success, to convey in a short period of time. I use all media in teaching and I think all are necessary. The students grow up in a "techy" environment and actually expect more media and interaction with it. Plus, as instructors we need to be creative. I think this module has given me more things to think about. Sarah

How detailed should the objectives be on the lesson plan?