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

Refining Your Communication Skills

Hi Jay, thanks for your comment; sometimes when a student answers a question, I even invite other students to answer it, then clarify, correct or expand if need be. I always preface this exchange though by stating that the original question was an excellent one (and give a specific reason) - that way, no student feels as if they asked a question that was irrelevant or where the answer was obvious. Jay Hollowell ED106 Facilitator

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Refining Your Communication Skills

Thanks, Richard, you're right, expressing instructor confidence, demonstrated through tone and body language, is a crucial classroom communication skill. Jay Hollowell ED106 Facilitator

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Refining Your Communication Skills

Hi Nolan! I'm from VA myself and a southern guy. Once in NYC where I was teaching an adult education workshop, I discovered that the participants had all bet on how long it would take me in my presentation to say, "you all." Somebody actually won the pool. It was a blast! I applaud your desire for enhancing communication skills, but don't worry too much about your accent; it's a major part of who we are; just give the students pleny of time for pauses, questions and clarifications and back up your speaking with visuals and hands-on activities that will… >>>

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Refining Your Communication Skills

Thanks, David, this is wise advice; instructor excitement and passion for the subject transfers to students, but it can also cause an instructor to speed up the presentation and potentially leave some students behind. As an option, sometimes I have chosen a responsible student or two, usually toward the back of the learning environment, and given them a sign that says "slow down" and another sign that says "speed up" to use if they feel I am not effectively pacing a presentation or discussion, or if they happen to see any other students that look either bored or frustrated. So,… >>>

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Using Student Learning Groups

Good strategy, Craig, if a learning group is positioned effectively, team members will often encourage each other to participate. On another note, it may be that a quiet member is still a contributor; though we hope that the group setting will help engage the more shy learners, I have found that a quiet participant may effectively assume the role as the group notetaker, and can really keep things summarized and the team on course. Thanks for your comments, Jay Hollowell ED106 Facilitator

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Refining Your Communication Skills

Thanks, Bruce, for your comments. Gestures are a major component of body language and particularly, as you referenced, accentuate points and examples that you are providing in your lecture. It is an excellent way to "animate" the classroom and engage students. Jay Hollowell ED106 Facilitator

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Refining Your Communication Skills

Hi Ray, thanks, this is an excellent point; I have seen so many instructors take the approach, "I'm going to tell you what you need to know." However, even though we have subject knowledge to impart and skills to teach, our adult learners bring both experience and expectations to the table. When I have taken the time to ask students what they expect from a course, or from a lesson, I find that their expectations are usually similar to the already established learning objectives. Hearing those expectations, as well as referring to them during the learning experience, helps me to… >>>

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Using Student Learning Groups

Thanks Chris! Interesting that you have taken it another step; not just a focus on the desired outcome of the group's activity or assignemnt, but also how it relates to the career goals of the students. I would imagine that seeing the bigger picture certainly facilitates staying on task. That, along with clear objectives, expectations and team ground rules, can really move a learning group forward. Jay ED106 Facilitator

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

Refining Your Communication Skills

Hi Mark! Thanks for your comment. What techniques do you employ to motivate students?

Jay Hollowell

Discussion Comment

The Customer Bottom Line

Hi Michael! Welcome to the discussion forums and thanks for your comments. It's true, many organizations don't realize that it is very expensive to lose just one customer when all is considered. And sometimes it's just the extra small enhancements that make a difference - most businesses have customer service as a core principle, but don't take it to the support and enhancement levels. Let me ask, if I may, how do you handle, particularly in the construct of working with students from your department's perspective, a situation where you cannot honor a request? Thanks, Jay Hollowell ML107 Facilitator

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