Hi Everyone: I just want to share some ideas I have for getting the class off to a great start. It is vital that we use the early weeks of class to make an impression of us being active and organized instructors. Here are my success tips for getting the class off to a great start: 1. Post mini-lectures or starter questions for each week’s Discussion Board. 2. Welcome each student to the class in an Introductions Board 3. E-mail course policies and syllabus to students a few days before class 4. Ask about prior experiences. From the first day instructors can take note of an introduction posted by the student that indicates future issues a student may have. It may be that student expresses problems or fears with the class. These students can be then “watched” by the instructor to see if any issues arise. The quicker the intervention, the better it is for the student 5. Have a Questions Conference 6. Instructors should be proactive and make sure that students have gone through online school’s orientation; students should know where they need to go for help with basic technical issues and basic tech requirements. 7. Search out students' understanding and prior experiences about a concept before teaching it to them. 8. Once the problem or situation is ascertained, the instructor needs to step in as “guide on the side.” If the issue is the course material, the instructor can help point the student to resources that are available. The student can be reached by different techniques. For instance, does the student want to take advantage of the college's Writing Center? The Library often has a number of handouts and resources that can be shared with the students as applicable to the student’s concerns. Do you have any tips or tricks that you use to create that first impression?

I mostly enjoy the class participation. Student seem to voice out their opinion, answers and contribute to discussions. Class participation also gives me identify the students strength and weakness.

Because of the fact that most the students who have learning disabilities often can become successful if given the proper resources that address their needs. In our shool, obtaining official documentation of what learning disability a student might have will help educators to address accordingly the needs of a student early enough and provide them the right support they need to establish a good start,and maintain student engagement as one goes through the program..

Learners have various learning styles specially with diverse population of students. Considering this fact, using life experiences can enhance memory retention and better understanding of the concept beign discussed for the reason that instructors are using a combination of abstarct and visual approach of reinforcing knowledge. Using life experiences also deliver significant impact specially to adult learners since most of them correlate the importance of what they are doing to what they want to achieve.

I have a math learning disablity so this puts me at a better advantage to helping my students

we see ESL students quite a bit in the school that I teach. I find it helpfully to be compassionate when working with them .,

I love using groups as a way of taking field trips. It helps the students to see things that they normally wouldnt.

I really agree with the eye contact portion of this education. The eye contact really helps students know that I care

I have learned that my delivery style varies, depending on the subject matter I am teaching. There are certain subjects where a long lecture is not the best method, and hands on is the best approach to learning and retaining information.

On the first day of class, I always have the syllabus available for students and go over it with the class. I also give some background about myself and my experiences in the field. I then ask each student to introduce themselves and tell the class why they chose this program, what they expect from the class, as well as what their expectations are once they are done with school and ready to enter the workforce.

When planning my course, I try to think of ways to engage the students, and not just lecture, I want them to have an interest so that they retain the information.

What are some techniques that can be used to motivate adult learners?

I have found that most students learn faster with the help of visual aids.

When introducing myself it usually takes me two to three class sessions to remember student names but I usally make little notes on post-its to help me remember their names.

In my experience I have found that being prepared before class makes the class session smoother for myself as well as my students. Reading all necessary materials helps you to be more confident when it comes to answering questions that students needs answers too.

As an instructor some techniques we can use to engage students when teaching topics which may require more technical aptitude?

I liked this phrase in the text! it pretty tiring task to gain the attention of your students for 2 hour lecture, I hope that one of my students would answer this question in behalf of me!! I believe that I should be all of the above at the same time, especially when it come to the entertainer part! I through jokes that are relevant to the class talk about movies that are relevant to the subject, and then return to main subject, I think this alteration between being serious and being funny would give the student a mind break

Question: Does excessive funding by the government really improves education?

Being authentic is critical in your motivation towards students. If they perceive you not being authentic then you are going to have a difficult time with getting you message across.

iAny ideas on mini lectures during a two and a half hour class setting?