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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.

Test Types

Do you find there is a better type of test based on the demographics of the students in your class?

Assessment Building

When building a competency assessment for a specific skill, how many questions do you recommend.

Off Topic Questions

How valuable can questions be that are off topic?

Exciting Ways to Build a Creative Learning Environment

What exercises have you done to promote a creative learning environment?

Select the Correct Test

I've noticed that certain such as Essay testing brings out test anxiety. Students usually are more comfortable with True /False because they have a 50/50 chance of picking the correct answer. This is one of many reasons as to why I start with a standard test for a baseline of my student testing ability before I compose my on exam.

Engagement

In order to keep students engaged, I try to include group activities, videos, and other methods other than me talking and them taking notes.

Questioning Techniques

During classroom discussions, I use games shows as a tool to engage student participation. I also make sure that the rules/guidelines of point allocations are defined.

First Class

I always play ice breakers to make students feel comfortable and get to know each other. Adults love them, too!

Goals

I was always taught to not set far reaching goals, but rather goals that were more reasonable, for example, do not say "I'm going to climb Mt. Everest" but rather " I can get to the first 500 feet today and take on the rest later" Make your goals easier to obtain and you wont get frustrated.

Planning

Students can always point out the instructors who do not plan well. You should always be prepared for the course and each class.

Get to Know Students

I try to get to know my students and make my instruction relevant to them and their needs.

Professionalism for the first day

There are so many good topics and discussion threads posted to this site already. One thing that I think is part of the professionalism component that goes along with management is how you choose to greet your students on the first day. Obviously a good instructor should arrive early and be prepared to facilitate their subject matter, but that first impression is a lasting impression that will often set the tone of the course. Some tips that I would like to share that I am sure most great instructors do are listed below. I would love additional feedback and suggestions on this list from anyone. Thanks, -Andy Great instructors will: 1. Meet and greet each student with respect. This includes a friendly handshake, direct eye contact, and a welcome as introduce yourself and identify the student's name. This direct contact makes the first connection. 2. Learn something personal about their students. I believe that we should know why each student is in our classroom, what they are interested in, and something that is completely unrelated to the course. I often find that learning a little information about the student helps form an additional connection and trust that must be shared between the instructor and student. It makes for a great conversation starter to show your students your level of commitment to them. I will always make it a point to try and speak with each student briefly in passing if nothing more than to ask them how their personal goals are being achieved. 3. Set the tone and boundaries the first day. Let it be know what your expectations are and follow your own rules. This is basic teaching, but can still be done with compassion for your students. Remember, students want to be treated like adults and not kids. If you command respect then you must be willing to show respect. That being said, there are any more things that could be discussed here, but I feel that these are just a few tips that people reading this may find value in. I would love any additional thoughts on this subject. Sincerely, -Andy

ED 111

Teaching really needs a lot of passion. We make sure that students are engaged at all times or else they will be lost along the way.

Problem solving

I have found that in the field of accounting problem solving question better demonstrates the knowledge of the students

Flipped Classroom Model

Properly trained instructors, to me is the most important component of a "Flipped Classroom Model". Without first obtaining this level, how are you going to obtain the rest of the basic components? A befuddled and unsure instructor will only create a befuddled and confused class environment.

Exams

My experience has shown that prior to giving an exam a review of the exam topics will help focus the student.

Questions

Prepare a number of questions to be given to the students which reinforces the topic of the day.

Teaching Accounting Entries

My experience in teaching first year principles of accounting is to utilize the blackboard by writing recording both the correct and incorrect entries and explaining why the entry is either right or wrong.

Issues and Barriers

The issues and barriers to this method of instruction I feel are based on the large numbers of students that have passed through a educational system which has not trained them to have personal motivation. Thankfully, a small number of students, who are pursuing a future in higher academics, have this self-drive and motiving desire, would jump at the chance to use this stimulating method. The higher grade students of tomorrow need to be trained now,in their beginning school years. This also is true of the instructors that will be applying these methods.

5X7 vs. a piece of paper

I find it difficult to keep up with 5x7 notecards (in order to use them for the next term) so I end up using notebook paper and I.....keep it in a 3-ring binder. Is that so terrible? I find that on days when I have my little outline on my piece of paper we have a great class with a good "flow." I have, however used 5x7 cards before, I just have storage issues with them.