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To Listserve members who would be willing to share any effective teaching tools for difficult audiences: I am an academic counselor at a large four year university. In addition to meeting individually with students for academic success counseling, I give workshops throughout the semester on various academic topics (e.g. time management, preparing for exams, test anxiety, notetaking, reading comprehension, learning styles, etc.). I try to make sure that I clearly present the information, include colorful slides, and make the workshops as interactive as possible. In addition, I always ask for feedback and encourage participation. Generally, the students who participate in the workshops are eager to receive the helpful information. On occasion (written with some sarcasm), students attend the workshops because they have to do so for course credit and are not exactly attentive or respectful. Likewise, when guest lecturing a class on any of these topics, sometimes a segment of the class has become disruptive (perhaps the substitute-teacher phenomenon). I have learned not to take this inattention personally :) and I would like to improve my ability to reach disruptive students without shaming them in front of the class. In other words, I want to learn what has worked for guiding the students (i.e. aligning with them, if you will) instead of blasting them with feedback that might feed into their negative attention-seeking behavior. Do any of you have creative ideas or teaching savvy that you would be willing to share? Please respond directly to my email address: [log in to unmask] (just copy and paste into the "To" address slot) unless you feel that the information would be pertinent for others' on the list to know. Sincerely, Jenny Ruchhoeft Academic Cslr. Univ. of Houston