ED102 provided some great techniques for helping the instructr to maintain focus on students, to stay on track and not become distracted. I would add that the instructors can also benefit from encouraging student participation, particularly to maintain focus. In a sense, it is a two-way relationship although the instructor is of course responsible for maintaining focus. One technique would be to play a game with the students. The instructors ask the students qestions and points are awarded for correct answers (points not contributing to the grades), and students ask the instructor questions who is awared points for correct answers. This will also help to refocus the instructor and students after a break, after a lecture, at the beginning or end of the class. Questions can be asked from the learning exercises in text books, or students and instructors can make up their own questions (which leads to develoiping research skills for students). A running score throughout the course would contribute to a more stimulating learning environment, as many students would look forward to trying to "best" the instructor. Primarily, it is an exercise which enables the instructor to maintain focus, as well as the students. Clifton