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Ask a question from your peers to help you in your professional work. Seek different points of view on a topic that interests you. Start a thought-provoking conversation about a hot, current topic. Encourage your peers to join you in the discussion, and feel free to facilitate the discussion. As a community of educators, all members of the Career Ed Lounge are empowered to act as a discussion facilitator to help us all learn from each other.

Creating an exciting class

Hi, I have found myself getting too complacent with teaching the same material. I need to realize that this might be the 50th time I have taught the same material but for the students it is the first time they are seeing the material. I like to use current events to help the students relate to the material. It can be difficult to get students excited about accuonting. I try to express my love of accounting to the students though instruction.

attention span of adults

I must say that I was surprised somewhat to know that attention span of adult was 15min or more. I was thinking that it was much less. thank you.

Delivering Course Content

The course refreshed my methods of delivering course content. It also gave me some better ideas on how to alleviate potential problems concerning course content.

Providing feedback

Assessing students’ work fairly and providing useful evaluative feedback are very important components in online classroom. The evaluation and feedback should be frequent so that students know how they are performing in class. The feedback to students’ work has to point out both the positive aspects of work and any rooms for improvement. A useful feedback for an assignment is one that can help students to improve his/her work in the future. Substantive feedback, and not just assigning of grade points, helps students to perform better and thus earn higher scores in subsequent weeks and courses.

Difference between a facilitator and an instructor

The role of a facilitator is to provide a learning environment where the facilitator and students learn from one another by sharing their knowledge through collaborative work. The facilitative approach consists of interactive learning whereas the direct instruction is mainly a one-way transfer of knowledge. Unlike an instructor, a facilitator does not dominate discussions, but serves as a guide, a resource, and a participant in mutual learning process. A facilitator is willing to learn from students as well. Unlike an instructor, a facilitator does not insist on having the final word on a issue, but remains open-minded, flexible and willing to acknowledge his/her limitations. A facilitator in an online classroom also makes sure that the class discussion is conducted in a professional manner, free of prejudice and improper behavior of participants.

Creating Assessement

Giving students different types of test we see what they have learn.

Increasing student motivation

Self assessment and goal setting motivates students

Instructor development

I learned several tips which will help me to become a better instructor

Multiple choice

Advanced multiple choice are great for improving critical thinking.

self assessment

Student self assessments brings in the reality of their progress.

Allowing time

An allotment should be made during class time for questions.

learning styles

all learning styles must be addressed during delivery to be effective.

Review game ideas

Jeopardy is one game we’ve used for content review. Using powerpoint or similar software can really help with delivery of the clues and showing of correct responses. While it’s hard to use ‘open-ended’ questions for this, definitions, terms, and recognition of categories for presented items all seem to work well. We’ve had difficulty finding a way for contestants or teams to ‘ring in’ – to know who was first indicating they were ready to provide the ‘correct response’. Are there any suggestions for handling this? I’m always amazed at how excited and involved students tend to get in the games! When we play monopoly (answer questions when you land on the ‘streets’, pay/earn monopoly money), the environment quickly becomes lively and competitive. You can download pdf files to print your own monopoly money, which I find myself pointing out to the group when the competition really heats up. In math classes, we play a form of ‘bingo’ game, where you have to solve the equation that’s shown (on the board or projector) and find/mark off the correct answer on your bingo card. That one takes time to set up!!! Providing silly little prizes also tends to be surprisingly motivating. I’ve seen adults excited to wear their sticker, ribbon, or medal (look for kids’ birthday party favors) all day!!

Keeping students eager to learn

The first week of class after giving my students a brief description of the course content and things they are going to be doing I require them to make a list of goals pertaining to the course. Throughout the quarter they are asked to look at their goals an see if they have accomplished any if not what do they need to do to accomplish at least half of their goals.

Making a positve first impresssion

As an instructor you should present to your class motivation, enthuasism and energy to learn. The instuctor should also be very professional and knowledgable of the course subject and materials in order to have a successful course.

Using a well prepared syllabus

I think that it is important to have a syllabus availiable for your students the first day of class. Also the instructor should go over the syllabus with the students to make sure they understand the course requirements and content, and to answer any questions that the students may have.

Professionalism

I am a true believer that first impressions are lasting one. As an instructor we should present ourselves in a professional respectful manner. Our students are looking at how we present and carry ourselves so we must stay on top of our game.

HABES First day activity

Our college promotes the following first-day activity. It's called "HABES," and it comes from The Pacific Institute, I think. H - Habits A - Attitude B - Beliefs E - Expectations S - Strategies You ask the students questions regarding each element as they pertain to your particular course. These can be discussed or put in writing. Here's an example for an English composition class: What are your habits when it comes to writing? Do you write lists? Journal? Letters? Post-its? etc. What is your attitude toward writing? What are your beliefs about writing? Write a sentence that begins "I believe writing . . . " What are your expectations for this course? What are your expectations of yourself? What are your expectations of your instructor (me)? What strategies will help you succeed?

Students with learning disabilities

Students with learning disabilities sometime require more time and patience than our average learner. As an instructor we must understand their situation and offer resources and help that they may need.

Working with students with special needs

As an instructor I think that it is important to be able to understand differences in students and to be able to accommodate them. We should know what our students special needs are so that we can help or either offer them the resources that can help them.