What periodicals would your recommend for career college instructors who want to increase their effectiveness as teachers?

Survey students to find out learning styles in the classroom.

Utilize other instructions specific to the class to make things clear.

Presentations should always begin with being a role model.

Matching objectives to classroom strategies can help with meeting goals.

I always use open ended question to draw different answers.

It is important to know your students and for students to know their instructors. An introduction from the student gives the instructor ideas of where the students are in their educational path. The student should feel comfortable knowing the educational, achivements and how human their instructor is through an introduction

I find it easier to teach with powerpoints then reading for a book.

It is very important to make that first impression a good one. Students are nervous, they look for a leader, a knowledgeble instructor, a mentor and some look to challenge the instructors from day one. It is wise to show students that you have their best interest at heart and that you are proficient in what you do.

I find that making students comfortable in the classroom, create a good learning atmosphere. Getting the students to be comfortable enough to open-up and communicate with you is often revealing of their understanding of the material being taught. Melissa Quinn

What are some tips that you would give to new instructors to when they are having trouble finding their instructional style?

"WIIFM" Principle (Whats in it for Me) is a terrific way to think of this process. As a clinical instructor, I plan to tie-in my student's theory instructions through an assignment that requirs them to email me one concepts that excited or challenged them during the lecture. When they get on-site, our goal is to better understand what challenged them. I am hoping this activity will motivate my students by having an individualized goal for each clinical shift. When they accomplish THEIR goal, then they can truly feel progression towards their career goals.

I try to get my students involved by asking a question and then have them share what they believe is the answer.

Introductions are a great way to break the ice. Students and instructors share interesting facts about themselves; sometimes with “bragging rights”. Being able to engage in communicating similarities, and differences helps to put ones ideologies into perspective. Introductions are a great tool for expression, listening and the beginning of understanding individuality, as it assists in appreciating what everyone has to offer concerning learning. Are introductions beneficial to learning? -TWB

It can take a few seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time. Your students form an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, your speech, and how you are dressed. Your attitude is subconsciously evaluated in as much as your attentiveness is. The key to a good impression is to present yourself appropriately. This is demonstrated in how well you “blend in with” your surroundings. A winning smile is highly recommended, as it can conceive a notion of comfort between student and instructor. Moreover, our candor and confidence can present as an ideal of ease in the transference of knowledge. This can help the students feel as though they are getting “their monies worth of formal education”. -TWB

Professionalism and communication is important in every professional setting. We should continuously assess our current personal levels of communication and professionalism. We should identify strengths that we have added within areas of development, that we have improved, and how successful we have been with achieving personal challenges. How can these challenges can affect our professionalism and communication within our career fields? -Tracy

I have an opportunity to work with a student with a learning disability. The program counselor had documented the necessary environment for teaching (non-stressful) and examination (required to be a quiet area so that student could focus). The student could also be prompted by instructor or counselor prior to exams.

In group projects, I encourage the teams to select the individual roles based on their experience or simply a desire to serve in a different capacity.

Teaching a class with students at various levels of reading understanding (particularly medical terminology) presents a challenge. The students must be willing to invest more time in that area. The instructor should encourage and provide as much resource information as possible.

It is so important to stay focused on the topic at hand. It is very easy to get pulled into another area when in open forum discussion. Staying focused but allowing the class to have some free range for discussion is sometimes a challenge.