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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.

Lots of work

Yes always underpaid....accept it

You've got talent!!!!

Use it, and hope someone notices....

New faces

Always nice to see a new face, we should strive for it to never be forgotten in a good way

Lot expected from instructors

Boss always overlooks this, as a matter of fact everyone does....

Instructors personal motivation

Sad when an institution does't meet your expectations as far as benefits and yearly raises, this teaching job comes from the heart, all the times....

Kinesthetic learners

In my department most of our students seem to be Kinesthetic learners. Even auditory and visual learners enjoy the hands on activities that correlate with the reading material and powerpoints. Most of our lessons are based on a 50/50 ratio of didactic and lab. The students work hard but do have fun with this approach.

lesson plan

A lesson plan is a must! You also need to have a back up plan.If you are doing a lab, you must do a dry run.Preparation is EVERYTHING!!

Getting a shy student to verbally participate

It was the 1st week of class when I asked a student an open translation question. I quickly came to observe she had extreme anxiety with public speaking by her display of shaking hands and flush face. She couldn't answer the question even though I knew she understood the material. Without knowing the art of questioning has so many subcategories, I reverted to a closed question for her that allowed her to quickly answer the question but still making her accountable for participation. Whenever I would call on her in the future, I would push her a little bit more (redirecting, probing, reinforcement, praise) to bring her out of her shell. This technique was successful for her! Any different approaches that you could recommend in the future?

Relevance

I know how important it is to connect my content to my students' lives, experiences, and careers, and I am extremely pleased with the ways in which my career college's curriculum aligns with my students' needs and goals. I teach English Composition in a culinary arts school, and our texts and assignments are all about culinary arts, nutrition, and career goals and needs. Still, I occasionally have students who do not see the connection between what we are teaching and what they will need in their future careers. How can I help then make these connections?

English as second language

I'm looking for an advise from experts on how to improve my communication skills

Motivating Students

Motivating students is probably one of the most important and rewarding aspects to develop and maintain with students. What are some good strategies to incorporate with respect to this.

Breaks

I have to give my students breaks in the lecture part of our day. It gives them a chance to breath and me too. It also provides a chance for them to get to know me and the other students better.

Outlines

I hand out outlines to my students of the chapter we are to cover that day. Now I am filling in those outlines to help my students learn more. I hook my computer up to the classroom tv and fill in the blanks. This is the first time I have ever tried this, but I am hoping it will be a real tool in the classroom to get my students more prepared for their state board exams.

first day jitters

As a new instructor, not knowing any of the students, or their habits can be a good thing and a bad thing. I was nervous going in, but reminding myself that none of the students know me, and I don't know them, so I cant have any apprehensions was helpful. On the other hand, how would I handle any problematic student that may arise, not knowing what may or may not set them off

Lesson Plans

A well thought out and prepared lesson plan is an important part of the learning process. It keeps the teacher on task and is the road map to follow on the educational journey.

First Class Meeting

The first class meeting can be the most important for both the student and teacher. It is the time when you can learn a lot about your students and they can learn a lot about you and what is to come. Be organized, clear and concise and approachable. You only get one chance to make a first impression. Make the most of it.

Planning

As an instructor I believe that it's important to be early to class so that I can have my materials and other necessary things organized and ready for the students to arrive so that we can get started on time. I believe that if you don't arrive early it gives students the impression that you may be disorganized which will have a negative effect on their perception of you.

Knowing your material and staying current

I think as an effective instructor you have to continue to strive to stay current within your field of expertise. In our ever changing and growing society it is important to be able to continue to educate oneself with current trends, initiatives, etc. in your field, to help bring this information to the students for their continued educational preparation.

Teaching to Learning Styles

The key to tayloring teaching for different learning styles is to allow students an opportunity to take a learning assessment. I have found that this approach works best when it is done on the first day of class. Also, by do so, this allows the instructor time to review the results and plan course delivery according.

Class room drama/role-playing

I throughly enjoy implementing drama or role-play activities in the class room. I find they allow the students to discuss, analyze, and problem solve challenges they will encounter in the workplace. It also provides a measure of humor for all to enjoy. In addition, concluding with a discussion based on the activities or additional points completes the overall learning process. Helping all to appreciate that there is more than one way to resolve a conflict or problem.