Traci Bergum

It is hard sometimes to motivate your students depending on your subject area. For instance, I teach a document processing class and it's hard to keep my students motivated because it's basically a typing class with little instruction. These types of classes are hard to motivate. Any ideas would be appreciated!!!

I have a wide variety of students ranging from 18 to 65 as I'm sure many instructors do too. My goal is to make all of my students feel comfortable in my class and make sure they know they can ask questions and participate without worrying about other students and what they are going to say. I do this by getting to know my students and letting them getting to know me. I try to be empathetic and understanding about their situations and help them in any way I can.

I have found that if I change my class up a bit, the students find it more exciting. I also try to include them in all of the time instead of them just listening to me.

I thought this part was very interesting. Sometimes it can get discouraging when you think that the students are getting disinterested. You need to step back and put yourself in their shoes. Imagine listening to someone lecturing everyday. That would get boring. You have to be creative and innovative in order to have your students interested in what they are learning.