It is always important to use more than one delevery method to give course material. Keeping an open mind in the first day or two of meeting the new class will allow you time to survey what styles you will need to use to best suit everyone.

It is important for all educators to keep themselves updated on the new developments in whatever field they are teaching. If not it tends to become stale.

I've found that the first day of class sets the tone for the whole phase. Good class control on the first day is vital to establish a proper learning enviroment and to head off future problems. Before class starts I like to have the course materials laid out at every seat, chairs down, and the room organized. I know I have to have my best game face on for the first day, first impressions set the tone. If I have a student that is disruptive, which is very rare, I make a point of yanking his sorry butt out into the hall for alittle heart to heart chat about what I expect from him. This is always appreciated by the rest of the students. Doug Ramsey, Instructor,UTI Avondale

I plan on using the provided link to find CATs that can be used to fill the last 20 minutes or so of class time. I also plan to share with my students the information learned in this session about the higher number of positions that are lost due to poor communication skills rather than poor skill level in their trade.

plan ahead for the next course cycle during the current course if you are doing the same class.

Hello, Years of experience supports my knowlege base of the various course subjects. I am looking for suggestions to survive the jump into random places through out the differnt course modules which are lecture and then lab. The teachers that I will cover for may only give limited info as to what has been covered. I want to avoid wasting time and maximize the one day hits that will be given me. Thank you, Glenda Bisbee

Class begins with a greeting. I introduce myself and provide a brief biography. I then ask each of the student to introduce themselves. I like to know where they're from and what program they are taking. After the introductions are over everyone is a bit more at ease. I then begin to explain the expectations in the class. this falls into 2 catagories. The first being expected professional behavior. The second being what is expected of their technical skill to pass the class. Setting the expectations on day one establishes the appropriate tone for the remainder of the class.

Planning and preperation are paramount to the success of any class. From the first day to the last taking time before each class to set up a tenative schedule for that day is a priceless key to success in the classroom. If you are prepared, you present an air of confidence to your students. This creates a trust and secure feeling in the information that you are presenting. When a learner trusts the presentation and the presenter they become more engaged. This engagement leads to a more complete understanding of the information being presented.

I will be taking over the class of an instructor that the students have grown very fond of and are sad to see her leave. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how help them transition from an instructor they really liked to a me, a first time instructor?

I know it is better for me to learn by doing, but I always need to keep in mind that it isn't always the best way for my students to learn. In the end, that is what they do, but initially some need more demonstration than others.

The first day of class is the ideal time to remember that most class attitudes are a direct reflection of your attitude. I have seen many times over where class control issues evolved from an instructors mistake of not taking control and showing the class that they are in charge but not unapproachable. If you love what you do, show it.

Planning and experience are some of the pieces which fit together to create a successful instructional session. By varying the delivery of the course materials and the way in which the students are to learn and acquire new knowledge and skills, promotes a greater mastery by the students.

I teach at a large technical school, and the instructors are encouraged to dress-up the classrooms. My students are happy as long as they aren't bored, so I try to keep them entertained during lecture. My course is Advanced Diagnostic Systems, and we have two large cans hanging from the ceiling about 8 ft. apart. They are connected by a string which has a sign attached "CAN NETWORKING". We do cover controller area networks, and the students get a laugh when they notice it.I also use posters that relate to the automotive industry to brighten up the room. Doug Ramsey Instructor UTI, Avondale

Would it suffice to ask the students to turn in cards with a few things they would REALLY like to learn and perhaps devote a class to those topics? Many times interest is lost due to the student thinking they are not appreciated as a learner and not listened to. It seems encouraging for the student if the instructor was willing to spend time on 'their' topic of interest as long as it pertained to the course. Besides, it would be an interesting way to poll the class and see if maybe there is one topic that comes up often.

I will be doing clinical rotation for LVN to RN students. I am considering asking the students to list their goals towards becoming an RN. Any thoughts

I have found it difficult to surmise the lenght of time diffrant classes can be focused on the first day. However after careful observation I can plan my presentation much better after day one. I do however teach a 15 day modgule and time is fleeting when it comes to developing and recongnising problem students.

My experance with this groop has been both good and bad, the ability to bolster and pass along lesson understanding in a mannor thats far below my age groop has been exciteing to say the least, However I have occasionaly seen the down side as well. Those who are what I call the bad boy leaders, those who try and push the limits as far as possiable. I find this last groop to be very frustrating in the least. I follow my companys regulations and often have found myself having to defend my position. All very frustrating!

Now that I will be a new instructor, I plan to utilize related current events in my lectures/discussions. For example, I will be teaching nursing students. I will try to find current nursing news in the local newspaper, nursing magazines, etc. I will bring in the article and then try to relate it to the nursing topics I am lecturing. I recall previous professors doing this in my classes and it makes it interesting and easier to remember the lesson when you link it to a current story or event.

Sometimes i get better results by discussing the chapter, then using the powerpoint to reinforce the discussions.

Rules say none, but if done right i think students can sometimes help eachother understand and teach eachother.