Melinda Huestis

Sometime student retention is a difficult decision between keeping a student that barely passes or having the student withdraw and retake the course to insure they have learned all the objectives of the course. Any insight on how to make the right decision?

What a great point! 15-18 minutes is not very long. My lectures tend to be very long and intense. Once I see my students fading, I like to stop and walk around to help them one on one before going on to the next topic. Sometimes it is difficult to cut a topic/lesson short, especially when it is a intense software program. I have learned that sometimes it is better to finish, even if it is long and cover it again for those who got lost. This reinforces the advanced students learning while catching the rest of the students up.

I set a goal of two weeks {class meets once a week} to remember all my students names at the beginning of a semester. Introductions the first day help along with sign in sheets. I do struggle when I have a class over 18+ students. Especially when it is our exchange program students. Any other ideas or suggestions different from the ones mentioned in this course?

I teach at a design school where pc and mac are utilized. It is necessary to get to class early and make sure the projector, audio and computer are functioning prior to class start. Even if everything was working properly the week before, it does not mean it will be working the following. I always get to class early to make sure everything is functioning and call IT if necessary.