Shamara Murry

One of the best pieces of advice given to me before the first class I ever taught was; go in with confidence in the knowledge that I have and not to tell the students that it was my first class.

I always explain my expectations to students regarding cheating. I let them know that it is unacceptable and if caught there will be a penalty. I also explain to them that the only person they are cheating is themselves and their future employer, because then they don't know if they have truly mastered the content and can be successful and productive in their chosen career.

I think having guest speakers come into the classroom is an excellent way to keep students motivated and interested in the course content. It allows students to ask questions and see the various paths their career can take once they are done with school.

There are several factors that play a part in my decision as to whether I will accept late assignments from students; the reason it is late, if there is a pattern, and the type of assignment. Once I decide to accept a late assignment there is always a penalty associated with it. I think it is important for students to understand that classes are a foundation for their work ethics and that they need to build strong ones early on.

I have learned that my delivery style varies, depending on the subject matter I am teaching. There are certain subjects where a long lecture is not the best method, and hands on is the best approach to learning and retaining information.

On the first day of class, I always have the syllabus available for students and go over it with the class. I also give some background about myself and my experiences in the field. I then ask each student to introduce themselves and tell the class why they chose this program, what they expect from the class, as well as what their expectations are once they are done with school and ready to enter the workforce.

When planning my course, I try to think of ways to engage the students, and not just lecture, I want them to have an interest so that they retain the information.

What are some techniques that can be used to motivate adult learners?