The importance of learning something new each day should be accompanied by an enthusiasm for the topic being taught.

How do you adjust your teaching methods for students who are considered to have disabilites when there are 1 or 2 in a class of 12? I am having trouble with this since I know in the end they all need to know the same material and have the same skill set to get a job after college.

This is my first time teaching, and although I know the material, I have found it takes countless hours, far more than what it takes to actually teach the material! I know when I teach the class again it will be a breeze, but man is it draining on the mind.

When preparing a lesson plan, I often have difficulties with under- or overestimating the amount of material that I can cover in a class period. Is there any kind of "rule of thumb" for deciding how much time to assign for a particular activity or type of activity?

In a class discussion of "How are we doing so far?" students made suggestions for altering my creative project assignments, so the projects were more inline w/ their career goals. I considered their arguments over the weekend and gave students more options for projects. The students were very happy to have a collaberative effect on the course and did far better work as a result. This might not work for other programs, but it worked for my creative students.

Becasue the majority of IT certifications are in umltiple choice questions it is one I use to get them into a condition for sitting for the certs exams However, newly developed cert exams are using simulation models for quesitons and answers a simulation problem is thrown at the student with the requiremnt of fixing the problem and a number of points are awarded to the answer so exams require an 801of1000 to pass at 798 of 1000 a failure is announced with a retake at another time

I have just began using different colors for assignments and it has been a success

I agree that finding out which learning style works well in engaging all students. The challenge comes in figuring out the best teaching style for each student. I have found picking out certain idiosychrasies such as students in my class who take copious notes I figure are the "written word" learners and the ones who sit in front of the class so they can watch the demo are the visual learners. You can always hear the tactile learners because they are the ones who are usually saying "When can I do that,Chef". The question I have is, as a chef instructor, how do you go about totally engaging every student? Is this even possible?

One thing I hoped to see more of in the previous modules was a specific header for leadership. As instructors, I think we need to be true leaders for our students. If we lead, then managing, motivating and such come much easier. One of the modules talked about not being a "pal" to our students. I think it is okay to be a student's pal from time to time. If we get to truly know our students, then they will truly know us. That too will help motivate and manage our students. What do you think?

Since I'm involved with a relatively new program I've had to design most of my classes from scratch. I am familiar with the text and materials and overall goals from a Master Syllabus- but have to adjust the course content based upon time. Is is ok to communicate up-front that the Syllabus is "flexible" as part of a schedule (grading and other things are not) and the schedule may be adjusted based upon the learning progress of the class? Or, is this confusing to the student?

I always ask students to tell me something about themselves -- but warn them that what they tell me is probably how I will remember them!

What strategies do you use to help motivate your students enrolled in a career college?

Questioning is one of my favorite forms of teaching. Creating an open class discussion aids in a more relaxed atmosphere spiced with a little laughter, helps reduce the fear of participation or "looking stupid" infront of pears. I also like to ask a question that I know a majority of the students know is wrong, and allow them to correct me. I get to see who is studying the material. They love it!

Being that I teach in the visual arts, I assumed that a majority of my students were both visual and hands on learners. I feel that I lecture more without visual aids. I found the first module helpful in realizing a new link to the students that I have not thought about. Nice program so far!

Our particular students enjoy hearing situations that happen in the industry and how they can apply their learning. I tell them that several of the concepts we teach look good on paper, but they need to find their own style of managing and it will not happen overnight.

encourage respect

Hello, I am reading that others are posting questions about some of the policies that they set at the beginning of class. One policy that I have is that I have a quiz at the beginning of every class. Students are not allowed to make these up no matter what the circumstances. I do allow them to make up tests because I do understand life circumstances. However, the quizzes are simply for the purpose of giving the student an incentive to arrive to class and be on time! They are only 10-point quizzes, but I get more grief from students and individuals from the admissions and financial aid when students come to complain to them about my policy. Do any of you experience this kind of thing?

Is there currently a lack of focus on Ethics in the classroom? Are we doing enough to encourage our student to critically consider the ethics of the situations they are studying in our classes?

i think it is important to tell jokes or a funny story when doing lectures, because it breaks the students daydreaming and focusses them back to what you are talking about and also lightens up the mood of the class.

I think this is very important to get done within the first week. I also think it is imnportant to stay with the Mr & Mrs what ever their last name is. I think that using first names gives the students a sense of,"buddies" with the instructor and sometimes that will lead to unprofessionalism.