Wednesday, January 5, 2011

New Year and Time is Short

Welcome to 2011! Our enrollment has taken a jump as people are looking for ways to fulfill their resolutions through a class or simply want to continue learning.
This first post of the year is a reminder that we programmers are in a very tight scheduling timeframe. We are now planning for Spring and Summer term. If you have ideas for new classes you need to contact us right away. If we contact you, please respond as soon as you can.
We hope you all have a great year!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The Next Term - What You Can Do NOW

It is that time of year when we are releasing the schedule for the next term, in this case, Winter term. The classes don't start till January, but we need to get the word out now.
Since it is Christmas time and even we are planning for the holidays, raising awareness of our upcoming classes can be a challenge. We need your help to make this happen most effectively.
We are asking you to talk up your classes and encourage those you know to sign up. We can send you an email flier, if you request one, which you can send out to any on your email list. You are the front line that our clients see and we want your classes to go.
Do you have any other things you do to get the word out about your class? Share them with us here.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Important Feedback

As instructors, we want to know how we are coming across to our students and how effective we are being. It is always gratifying to hear how good we are doing or uncomfortable to hear we have missed the mark. Often this feedback doesn’t come until the end of class when we can’t do anything about it.
Carol Smith, from the Helium.com website, writes, “Don't be afraid to ask your students how they feel the course is going. If you are relaxed and friendly they will feel they can give you an honest answer. If they aren't happy, ask them what they would like you to change - and change it! You will be a better teacher for it and you will have happier students.”
How do you handle this situation? Do you regularly check in with your students or pull one aside during a break? What has worked for you? Comment below and share with us.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Dealing with Late Arriving Students

We all want to start our class on time; it is respectful to those who are present and we don’t like to repeat ourselves. Carol Smith brings up an interesting point that we need to also be aware of as we teach adults. She writes for Helium and says the following:
“Remember that your students have lives. If they are late arriving there is probably a reason. It isn't helpful to turn into your old form teacher and be rude to them. I remember attending a course myself a few years ago. One night I was late leaving work, and then was caught in traffic. I arrived home, wolfed a speedy sandwich and went straight out to my class. All the tutor said when I arrived was 'Do please try to be on time'. I hadn't been late before. Needless to say I didn't return to the classes.”
Sharing the expectation of being on time at the start of the first class and then understanding that life happens, can keep you and the class on track for a good experience.
You can read her complete post at: http://www.helium.com/items/980193-tips-for-teaching-adult-learners-instead-of-younger-learners