Are there any other instructors out there that find they have to create their own tests because the ones supplied by the text books are not well written/test on subject taught?

How to conduct your class room with positivity

I often assign journaling projects for my students. This helps me keep track of where they are in the class and what they've learned. It also helps them realize just home much we've done and how much they've learned in the course. Lots of times, students will say that they don't feel that they've learned much. I tell them to refer to they're journal, and they're amazed that we've covered 3-5 chapters in a week, and they realize they actually know most of the material. I also like to throw in mini quizzes that contain 5-10 questions. This tests their knowledge on critical points we've discussed, and it boosts their confidecence when they see that the know the heart of the content.

I try engage all learning styles with every lecture class I have. As I'm lecturing, I like to have a powerpoint or some other visual display going. I sometimes even include video clips. If I have powerpoints, I often print out the slides with room for the students to add additional notes. When I'm done with the lecture, or between major segments of the lecture, I try to provide a demonstration or some other kind of practical application activity. This way, I've tied in all 4 major learning styles. It's actually quite simple for me, because I like to keep the students engaged the entire time, and this method does just that.

I have had a number of students tell me that they have dyslexia. I have found that just listening to the student, working with them, and showing them support goes a long way.

This is a great way for students to get to know the instructor and the students around them. The more my students and myself share about our experiences the more the students seem to learn.

I've never really thought much about the groups my students split into. After reading this though, it explains why my results have been decent at best.

I contact is definitely big. I can really make you and your students feel awkward if your staring them down for an entire class.

I have been fortunate over the past several years to have only one or two students that were identified as having some sort of learning disability.

Several of my students have not developed the command of the English language. I find it very difficult to understand them most of the time.

While at the AMA in NYC, one of the things we did with adult learning groups was to pre-assess already learned content so we could group our classes into successful learning groups.

I look forward to adding new content and developing new discussions from the recently added content.

It's a universal language and every one understands it, it's also contagious. The first day of class is always a great day to start smiling. :)

what can be done mid lecture if your students are loosing interest

As a new instructor, there were many anxieties present regarding how I would appear competent, what type of information I would present, and what teaching style I might adopt, among many other things. A core belief that I have is that learning should be fun, no matter what age you are. Along with personal experience, the assistance of my mentor, fellow colleagues, and this course thus far, some of the most valuable information I will take with me is that most learning occurs outside the classroom, you must be able to apply what you have learned, and learning is the most important thing going on inside a classroom.... if you start with those objectives, I believe that material can be presented such that you don't have to focus so much on a style you will adopt, but more on keeping students engaged and content competency.

I believe the most important thing an instructor must be mindful about is the way they response to students answers. Students will not answer all questions correctly, but instructors must be able to see that as an area of opportunity to help the student find the correct answer. By listening to the student, an instructor is able to find out what the student understands. Maybe the student only got part of the question wrong. Knowing this will allow an instructor to create an unquie way in responding to answers that are incorrect.

Learning styles are very helpful for instructors in so many ways. The overall goal of an instructor is to ensure their students understand the subject matter. This can only be done if students are able to following the delivery of the instructor. Knowing how students learn will help the instructor create lesson plans that will benefit all students. In addition, create an environment where students will engage in different classroom discussions.

Many of our students have a lot of layers of issues. Personal, Money issues, Lack of understanding why they are at school. The biggest one is WE OWE THEM. I do not understand how to get them out of that thinking ? In my teaching, how do I get them out of that mode? I think if I could break down some of those thoughts. I think for some student would get more education understanding and retention would be better. Any comments please.

This was a great outline for preparing and getting myself ready for my first opportunity to teach a class. All of the information was clear and extremely useful.

The objective is to connect with all of the students, all of whom retain content and learn differently. Varying the styles will enable all of the students with equal learning opportunities.