does anyone else find it difficult at times to establish boudaries. i find that i see my students more than my own family, so i find it difficult to not share personal experieneces and everyday life with them..its a good thing becuase they end up being extememly comfortable and i can relate to them. but the downside is you tend to lose respect and authority.

How can I better teach a subject in order to relate to such a wide age variance in my class. It would seem that the older demographic group prefers a consise, no-nonsense approach and the younger group wants to be drawn in or engaged with "props" or memory enhancing ideas.

I evaluate my students and their ability to learn what has been lectured on a daily basis.

I use PowerPoint presentations so that my visual learners are able to learn at a better pace.

With my students it is best if they have a calm setting to learn in.

I feel that my students learn best when asked questions following and during lecture.

Tests should be used by instructors

When assesing a student, is it better to allow them to give verbal information regarding themselves or written?

What is a good way to get a class to ask more questions?

What is the best way to assess students learning styles?

Should an instructor assist a student in setting goals for themselves?

Should the instructor wear business attire or uniform? What is more beneficial in a classroom?

Is it valuable to students if you add to the course content?

How do we as instructors motivate a student who has a negative outlook on any and all classroom activities and tests?

I find it incredibly important to the students that I remember their names ASAP. Since most classes are required to break I always wait for them to return to the classroom (usually alone or in small groups) and engage each as they come back into the classroom by confirming their name and a brief talk about their interests. It is a second review for me during the first class and helps me to get the name thing down early.

Good information. I can use most of these suggestions to help my students stay in class and to help me stay on task.

I find active learning activities vital in teaching applied science subject matters. When using small groups, I try to pair some of the aggressive learners with less aggressive learners. My hope is that the stronger personality will help the other, however, this may not be the best approach. Sometimes I notice some students will sit back, not because they have less desire to learn or participate, but they allow others to dominate. Do you have any suggestions to overcome this situation? I have attempted to pair the less dominate personalities together as well, but it is a great feeling when the students seem to pull one another out of their shell. I want to provide a comfortable environment for these students, but I fear they may not get the best experience based on the pairing.

Sometimes my plans for active learning activities gets thwarted by too few students in class or absences. Anyone have any ideas for planning around this? Sometimes I only have a few students in my class.

The way we carry ourselves has a definate impact on the student. I pride myself with leaving any personal matters at home, and enagaing the the student the most positive body language and mamerism's.

What if i choose not to have a lamp lighter in my class? Is it against policy?