One thing I have started doing in class is posting motivational quotes and a brief message every few weeks. In classes I have taught several times, I make sure I post a quote and personalized message to the class after particularly tough assignments in order to keep morale high. The reaction has been incredible! Students not only respond by telling me that the message was right on time, but I have also noticed that they have started posting positive and encouraging words to each other in student forums. What other methods have you used to really boost morale and create a learning environment where students can thrive?

Reflection is parallel to continuous improvement cited in quality initiatives. What are some specific metrics one could design as tools to guide the reflective process?

How important is it to give your students a tour of their classroom or lab on the first day. What factors would lead you to take the time to accomplish this on day one.

What do you think of sending the syllabus electronically to students?

What do you think about constantly moving while lecturing?

I like to do pre testing. Some of the questions I ask help me to get to know the students better and it gives me an opportunity to see where I might help them grow. I always ask if they work, what type of skill level they have now and what areas they feel they want to learn more.

One thing that has helped me learn students name better in the past is to arrange the students in a circle and have them say their name clearly one by one. Next, I repeat their name before the next student says their own. When everyone in the circle is done stating their name, I repeat everyone's name (in order of the circle). Finally, I have each student in the circle try to repeat and name off everyone that follows them. Typically, it makes the environment lighter and everyone gets a chance to repeat (or guess everyone else's name. This works best for classes under 25, and takes about 15 minutes to get through.

I am a firm believer that delivery of info is directed by the level of learning and how advanced it is. entry level learning - for foundation - is best as discussion. synthesis - is best delivered as a kinestetic process with little directive. One of our biggest issues is with students not at the level of the class. More advanced classes are usually taught hands on, however the students sometimes do not have the foundation to be successful. It is unfortunate that we are delivered with students with false understandings of their capablilities.

I had 16 years previous experience before teaching and continue working in the field while teaching. On 70 % of final course evaluation students refer positively to how I relate course work to real life experiences. I relate situations to what they experience on the jobs while in the class.

I have found the 15 minute mini-lecture concept to be very useful in adult courses. The challenge I've had with several of those brief lectures though is that many of them run over. By focusing on a 15 minute lecture, the material seems to be more interesting to the students and I actually have a hard time staying on schedule. But, the interactivity that comes with the briefer lecture achieves the ultimate goals of helping people learn the materials.

I believe it is a good practice to make sure the syllabus is electronically available to the student prior to the start of the class. That way the student comes ready with some level of understanding of what the course is going to cover.

I like to have a very firm policy. I do not accept late work period. But, I do make an exception for "life situations" but to qualify, I must be chatted with in advance of the due date. Am I being too liberal?

I teach massage techniques and there have been moments that I felt as though a student wanted to take my spot in front of the class. The student was catching on to everything that I was mentioning... Since she was doing so well, and the students all looked up to her, I allowed her to recap a few things that I had hoped EVERYONE would grasp by my lecture. It worked wonders! She was able to stand up and student teach, her peers asked more questions...It was truely a win-win situation for us all. I was able to catch a breath and the student was able to reiderate what I've just lectured on. Since then, I've compiled a couple of components in all of my classes to have student's present summaries. I often wonder whether or not I should give them advance notice...They all seem to "be awake" in my classes.

In my syllabus, I believe I should include a policy on late assignments. For my class, I believe all homework assignments and projects should be turned in at the start of class. However, what is the best approach to maintaining my policy when students are late for class and turn in assignments after I collected other students’ assignments. Any suggestions?

Consistent monitoring and evaluation helps me keep course content fresh for the students. On average, I conduct a student survey every other term to help me assess the relevance of the course information. They have a lot to offer in terms of course content and are often excited about influencing the course for future classes. This tool definitely helps in the planning and preparation phase of developing course content.

My goal in introducing my bio is to tell students that any thing is possible for them.

Agreed. There is no disputing the importance of planning and preperation. The instructor must know the course better than the student. One must still keep in mind that continueous updating and refining is essential as well. Without doing this, the course will become a dinasoar.

I have taught for years and I still go into my class room a day or two before the class begins to get the feel of the room and make sure I know where everything is and how it works. I am always there before the students arrive. I start on time and explain how I will proceed in the class. I try to make the students feel comfortable. I don't rush the class. Remember the syllabus is a contract between you and the student. Take time to prepare it completely. You will lose the class quickly if they don't think you know your material or are prepared for your classes.

most of my students I've had in previous classes, so our first day of class we discuss any current events or changes in their lives,and then they need to mention any current events or local topics from the newspaper/journals, etc that are relevant to our topic.

I have found it very helpful to try something new sometimes (not all of the time)! I base some of the things that I try on student complaints or requests. I know that it is good to be who you are but I like to journey outside my comfort zone sometimes. Sometimes it improves who I am.