Elise Roberts

Discussion Comment

Student frustrations also come out in our mid-quarter evaluations. This is hard for the instructor because frustrated students often present their comments using somewhat harsh language. I always assure my students that I take their comments seriously, but the best thing they can write is constructive comments that will help me become a better instructor.

Elise Roberts

Discussion Comment

Acknowledging Student Frustrations

I have 150 students each quarter, in 6 classes, 4 different course topics and at 3 different campuses. Each day I encounter students with many of the frustrations described in this session. I start out all my classes with a time for "class news". This is where I give my students an opportunity to talk about anything going on with them since the last time we met. We set a time limit for this "venting". Usually students find something positive to talk about, but many do find it a great opportunity to unburden themselves with no fear of repercussions.

Elise Roberts

Discussion Comment

General Education Instructor: When what you teach is "no one's major"

Hi Christine: I do have a couple of suggestions for your example of student's who believe they never use this in real life. For my humanities courses I put together a resource list called "That was then, This is now". In it I list places within our daily lives or popular culture that we encounter (I tell them "bombarded by") these ideas. For example, when we talk about the earliest civilizations in the Fertile Crescent, Egypt and Aegean Sea, I list popular literature including mysteries set in these areas by Elizabeth Peters. I also include music and if there is… >>>

Elise Roberts

Discussion Comment

Introducing classroom expectations during break week

Each quarter during the break I use Blackboard to send an email to my incoming classes. In that email I introduce my name, welcome students to the class,give a brief overview of the general course content and describe some classroom activities. Often I receive email back letting me know that they are looking forward to the class too.

Elise Roberts

Discussion Comment

General Education Instructor: When what you teach is "no one's major"

I face two challenges, both related to my subject specialty, humanities, which is not a major at career and business schools. The first challenge: for some students, humanities and art classes are a break from their routine. However, for most of my students this is a new way of thinking. Some perceive it as "soft", yet for me the humanities is the very essence of human creativity and communication. I try to teach my students the "2 minute conversation", meaning I am giving them an introduction to many humanities based ideas. The competency is then to be able to hold… >>>