Jay Hollowell

About me

Please allow me this opportunity to welcome everyone to The Lounge! As someone who has had the honor of being in career education and corporate training for thirty years (gee, it makes me feel much older!), I can honestly say that I am the happiest professionally when having the opportunity to interact with fellow career educators - whether it be a training event, webinar, or medium such as this where we can collaboratively share our thoughts.

Activity

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

The Diverse Learner

Hi Carol! Thanks for your comments! I too have found that using types of diagnostic tests is very helpful in working with students who may have special needs (disclaiming though that I am not a psychologist or disabilities expert). I'm curious, what formats have been followed with the tests that you use; what areas have they specifically addressed? Jay Hollowell ED106 Facilitator

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Using Student Learning Groups

Hi Barry! I think you hit the nail on the head. I couldn't have referenced a group teaching method any better, so I'm taking the liberty of highlighting your post in the hopes that many of our ED106 participants will see it again. "The best teaching method is to allow the student to act and then adjusting their actions to meet the demands of the assignment, rather then guiding them so directly that they do the work but miss the group dynamics lessons" - Barry Sacharow Just curious Barry, could you provide an example of adjusting/amending a student's action to… >>>

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

The Challenge of Learning Disabilities

Hi Kathleen! Thanks for your comments! Even though I taught Accounting (perhaps less creative than fashion illustration - smile), I would have students that had difficulty following the accounting cycle when working on assignments outside of class. I would give them examples as well as a "guide sheet" (I called them cheat sheets) as a resource. Taking the extra time for explanation and assistance, as you reference, is really the key. Jay Hollowell ED106 Facilitator

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Refining Your Communication Skills

Hi Lawrence! Wow, it is difficult for me to really add anything except to say that you have referenced the major points as to the importance of adapting our instructional delivery methods to the diversities and levels of understanding in the classroom or lab. I too have found that the lesson plan is a guide, but not a directive, in that many of the skills we teach are sequential in process and our students must master the basics before moving to the next level. Sometimes it just takes a little more time and effort! Thanks so much for your observations,… >>>

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Using Student Learning Groups

Thanks, Kathleen, for your comments. As an icebreaker (just as an example), I will pair students up in a learning group and have each student simply talk/interact for a few moments with his/her partner. Next, each student draws a positive characteristic, feature or trait of his/her partner without using any letters, words or numbers. Then the partner tries to guess the characteristic being represented (and vice versa). I also usually give a small, fun prize to the student who the group thinks has drawn the most creative and representative picture. This really gets the groups going; it sounds silly, but… >>>

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

The Diverse Learner

Hi Donald! Thanks for your examples. Pairing up students to support each other in the learning process (provided that we select the right students as mentors) is an excellent way to help students who may need extra support. The residual effect is that it reinforces the concept or applicaiton for the student who is doing the mentoring - a win/win situation. Jay Hollowell ED106 Facilitator

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

The Customer Bottom Line

Hi Howard! Thanks for your comment. Would you allow me to suggest one minor edit to your true statement that might have even a greater effect? Keep them "happier" and they will come back for more - ah, the wonderful world of competition. Jay Hollowell ML107 Facilitator

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Instructing Learners with Disabilities

Thanks, Heinz! What an outstanding example!! Using and expanding what has already been successful for a student is an excellent way to bridge the acquisition of new skills and pairing up students as a learning aid is also very effective. "Teaching someone else" is a valuable way for a student to reinforce and enhance his own mastery of the topic or application. Jay Hollowell ED106 Facilitator

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Refining Your Communication Skills

Hi to all! I have done the same thing as an instructor as "I want to make my point." However, I too have worked hard at genuinely listening and showing interest in the person who is speaking to me; it shows professionalism and courtesy, plus that person most likely has a great idea or comment. Jay ED106 Facilitator

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Refining Your Communication Skills

Hi Darrin!I very much appreciate your comments. I think you have hit on two crucial points for effective instructional delivery - first, the importance of varying your forms of presentation to engage students with different learning styles; utilizing the resources you mentioned helps to keep the presentation fresh and stimulating - second, using personal anecdotes, stories and examples brings the subject alive and more relevant to the adult learner because they can connect, personally, to what you are saying. I have often also asked students for real world, examples from their situations; this too engages the other learners. Thanks again… >>>

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