steven shaffer

Discussion Comment

When I have a new class, I immediately work on learning all of the student names. I will sometimes make a chart of where they sit to refer to if the class is especially big. The other thing I do is try to associate something with their name. The quicker you learn their name, the better. It shows that you truly care about them and they respond better in kind.

steven shaffer

Discussion Comment

take control of your time

You, as the instructor, need to learn how to manage your time most effectively. I found it is best to make a list and try to prioritize what is most important to what is least important. It is essential to do the most important tasks first even if you are tempted to do the easiest tasks first.

steven shaffer

Discussion Comment

reducing stress for the instructor

Some of the ways that i found very helpful to reduce stress are eating healthy and exercise. I always try to eat a well balanced meal with several fruits and vegetables. I also go the gym several times a week which is a great stress reducer. Both of these techniques seem to make it a little easier to get through the day.

steven shaffer

Discussion Comment

Different learning capabilities of students

All students who enter your classroom will have different needs and abilities. It will become quickly apparent which students do well with little guidance and which students require a lot more assistance. The instructor will probably spend more time with the students who need more help but the instructor must not alienate the above average students either.

steven shaffer

Discussion Comment

pertinant field trips

I was fortunate enough to be teaching anatomy and positioning during the period of time when the body works exhibit came into town. It was magical to see the student eyes light up as they viewed actual bodies. It was one thing to have a fake skeleton in the classroom and quite another to see the real thing. I believe it helped for a deeper understanding and I know the students loved the trip. They are already asking me when they can go again.

steven shaffer

Discussion Comment

Dealing with unruly students

Sometimes dealing with unruly or disruptive students can be very taxing and time consuming. I can usually tell after the first class who my disruptive students will be. It is often helpful to talk to these students ona one-on-one basis to try to come to some type of an understanding about these students and to try to find out why they are they are the way they are. It us often useful to give them small group projects to work on. I try to never let them take charge of a class and disrupt the class. I will pull them… >>>