While podcasts can be helpful for both on-ground and online learners, I will focus on the online learner. Online students should have more resources available to them at their fingertips than perhaps on-ground learners, as they do not have the advantage of having an instructor physically present. By presenting material in several different formats, it gives online learners yet one more avenue of learning.

Since I am not good with remembering names, it helps me to review the roster to become familiar with the individual names and pronunciations prior to the first class. It also helps to have the students use place cards at the first class so I can put the name with the face, and use their names during class. I have introductions as one of the first activities by pairing the students to interview each other, and then make the introductions to the class which includes something memorable about that student. It helps to build the connection for me, and the students have made a new friend.

In particular, I am having a challenge with one student who refuses to use the free MS Office software that the school provides. He is turning in his papers on the discussion board and I contacted tech support early on. He is not responding to tech support and I did reach on his behalf. He is wanting a scholarship. I could grade his papers from the wrong area but they still would not be of passing quality. Very bluntly, I asked him what the response from tech support was and he keeps asking me to grade the same papers in the wrong format. This may be one of those situations where I tried but I keep reaching out. Thoughts? Sounds confusing but we have standards to uphold from an accreditation standpoint as well as class standards.

When I get excited or enthusiastic while giving a lecture it becomes contagious and pretty soon everyone is in a state of joy; the joy of learning. Now, what a concept!!

The instructor will likely be the first person a student comes into contacat with in reference to retention issues. Once the instructor has identified a student with a potential retention issue then the instructor should channel that student to the appropriate source for assistance.

Multisensory teaching methods should cast a wider safety net which should reach a vast diversity of different types of learners. Using many types of teaching methods should ensure that you get your concept across, ex. visual presentations, audio presentations, and hands on projects are a few methods which can be helpful.

Hi class members, I find it motivating for online students- and I- to use a webcam so they can see my facial expressions. I also like them to use audio, as well as I. Sincerely, Pam

As a librarian, I don't have my own class so I'm often in the role of the guest speaker. I try to build rapport by: * saying hello to students as the enter the classroom (or virtual classroom, in my case) * taking time to introduce myself and tell students how and why to contact me with questions * ending my visit by thanking the students for their time and reminding them who I am and how they can contact me. Building rapport in such a short time is not easy. If anyone else has any ideas for me, I'd love to hear them!

It works!!! Run your class as though it were a real business. In our learning institution we even had a ribbon cutting ceremony for our simulated business. The students were involved in the whole process from creating a business brochure to the catering of the event.

competition gets the emotions involved in the learning proccess. Before being an instructor I was a tennis pro. I ran a tennis facility in Orlando, fl for 8 years and know the value of competition. It really works with the student

I just got dome with a class where I opened myself up to a degree and shared an example of vulerability. I shared about the Psychological term of countertransference where it is possible for a therapist to develop an attraction to theoir clients. I shared that everyone can fall to this unless they have accountability. This meant alot to the students understanding that we are not Gods but human beings

getting them in is easy. getting them to wake up is a different story.

In a technical setting with wide diversity of students it can be difficult to build rapport. To get a rapid start in the correct direction what teaching strategies do you recommend.

There are a host of challenges confronting students who are widely dispersed, do not have an opportunity for face-to-face interaction; come from conflicting values emanating from different cultures. There are, in fact, characteristics that are common to folks collaborating in a virtual environment. Would it not follow that there are different proclivities to learn in virtual environments? Joel Dr. Joel Ginsburg

"Career goals need to be based upon informed decisions, realistic aspirations, and meaningful outcomes" Suggestions on best ballancing enthusiasim for these points while being realistic & honest about some of the un-realistic information givin to incoming students.

When students have successfully completed a project, I show them examples of real life art where the same solution is used. This gets them very excited.

Career college students have more life experience than recent high school students, therefore, I ask them alot of questions during the first class session. I often pair off older adults with younger adults during projects so that they can learn from one another.

I have found that some older students come to class with certain additudes that inhibit their learning abilities. I too have fallen into this category. Having extreme experience of a topic lends one to knowing it all and closes our minds to learning something new. What are some ways we can help these students to share their knowledge but more importantly learn something new?

I found the material and information to be of great benefit. The ideas that I have collected from this section will be useful in my classroom.

Students come into our classrooms with many different styles of learning and abilities. We,as Instructors must understand how to meet these needs.