Juan Alvarez

As a former military combat pilot, we used to say it required at least 3 hours of preparation/planning to each hour of flight time. I find that in preparing for a new lecture or class ... at a minimum the “3 to 1” rule applies also.

Instructors should be given support and training by administration to be able screen for possible learning disabilities. Physical barriers to learning may need to be assessed, such as vision and hearing. Also if a student self advocates, the instructor should a have a means of confirming the student’s claim of a learning disability.

Cross Cultural Communication skill apply not only to ELL learners but to English speakers also. In teaching adults from different cultures, the instructor must be able to adapt to deal with those differences. Pre-testing can help alleviate language barrier and some knowledge based issues, but it would be well worth the time to invest in cross cultural communications training for the instructor. It also applies to teaching adults from different professional background... i.e. each profession has its own culture and specific language. (police, nurses, military, engineers, teachers....)

Before any lecture I give in a classroom I am unfamiliar with, I try to walk throughout the entire classroom and pace (count steps) where I plan to float or roam. I also check for positions I want to stop at to make points and to check if I am obstructing the view to the board or other media I may be using

In teaching adults from different cultures, the instructor must be able to adapt to deal with those differences. Pre-testing can help alleviate language barrier and some knowledge based issues, but it would be well worth the time to invest in cross cultural communications training for the instructor. It also applies to teaching adults from different professional background... i.e. each profession has its own culture and specific language. (police, nurses, military, engineers, teachers....)