Jason English

Location: austin tx

About me

Personality tends to dictate pedagogy and I try to possess the correct mixture of idealism, optimism and realism, while at the same time containing and controlling my skepticism and cynicism. Teaching undergraduates has been gratifying not only in my success in introducing students to a world of critical inquiry, but also in the way in which addressing my students’ difficulties with analytical writing and thinking has revitalized and refined my own pedagogy. I am now more cognizant of my own teaching skills and the pedagogical tenets behind them.

Interests

music, reading, sports, hiking

Skills

see me

Activity

Jason English

Discussion Comment

Relevant Guest Speakers

It is pointless to ask someone to speak in your class who has no real connection, or experience in the subject matter that you are teaching.

Jason English

Discussion Comment

Is Blooms Taxonomy Still Relevant to Today's Adult Learners

I am not knocking Blooms taxonomy, but i often wonder if it is simply too ambitious and somewhat irrelevant for certain students.

Jason English

Discussion Comment

Transitions and Time

These are the biggest challenges for me when i am making lesson plans. I like to have flexibility, but sometimes that leads to uneven transitions.

Jason English

Discussion Comment

Pulling up short

It can be very easy to pull up short when you are teaching a class that is almost 4 hrs long. I try to include a writing lab in each of my classes to avoid this from happening.

Jason English

Discussion Comment

Creating grammar tests

I find making these grammar test hugely time consuming. Is there a free online service that is reliable that could compose and create these tests for me?

Jason English

Discussion Comment

Being able to switch directions in real time

Sometimes i have a hard time sacrificing part of my lesson when other parts go over on time. I am afraid that i am sometimes rushing material and not covering it adequately. Other times i have too much time. It remains a challenge for me.

Jason English

Discussion Comment

Diversity in Delivery

I try to aim for a diversity of delivery methods, but sometimes i get bogged down on power-point and return to it because it is safe. Any suggestions for "jazzing" up my presentations? I am considering teaching a few classes by having debates about the subject matter between student teams.

Jason English

Discussion Comment

Pedagogy and Personality

If personality dictates pedagogy, must we alter our personality to improve our delivery and presentation?

Jason English

Discussion Comment

What do you do when discussion dies and your questions fall flat?

This can happen early in a semester when you and your class are finding your feet. Students are reticent to respond. What ways can we build their confidence early so that there will be active participation?

Jason English

Discussion Comment

Disrespectful and rude students

Sometimes we get very immature students in our class and they go out of their way to interrupt the instructor and other students. What is the best approach to dealing with this problem early in the semester before it festers?

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