Tommy Wells

Hello Everyone, Working with the silent students, can sometimes be the toughest. As the book suggested, working in smaller groups is always a great way to get people to work together. Taking it a step further, I like to hand out colored cards to the class, and each class I have them get into different groups, depending on the cards. For instance the first time all the cards with the same color will be in the same group, but the next time, everyone in the group has to have a different colored card. This way it helps to ensure that… >>>

Hello Everyone, This post follows my last post for chapter one. The one area I constantly work on is treating each student the same, and as this chapter points out, the best tool to use can be your class syllabus. One effective way to get the students to understand that you have been around the block, is to have them email a soft copy of the syllabus they were given (or got online), and state in so many words that they have read and understand the syllabus, and agree to other items such as the grading scale. I have found… >>>

Hello Everyone, The one topic in this chapter that really stands out is how to handle students who do not turn their homework in, in a timely manner. Of course anyone can come up with real world issues, but as a professional instructor, you need to ensure that you do not let yourself become the one teacher who is always allowing students "the easy way out". This not only affects the honest students in your class, but it also effects your fellow instructors as those students that leave your class now expect all instructors to "let them slide", "turn it… >>>

Hello Everyone, The one sure way to tell if it is time to switch to another teaching style for the night is what I call the glassy eye syndrome technique. This syndrome has been around for years, and when you are paying attention to your class, you can easily spot this infliction by simply looking into the students' eyes. If all you see is a blank stare and someone staring at the clock about every 20 seconds, that is the best time to change things up a bit. One method that works really well is having group activities, as it… >>>

Hello Everyone, The one thing I learned as a student, was to pay special attention to the syllabus. The syllabus was not only the guide for the entire class, but when used properly, it was also a great way for the instructors to get to know their class. One way I like to break the ice, is to treat the reading of the syllabus as a question and answer session. I.e. "yes if you have a medical emergency, and you communicate with me, I will be more than happy to work with you" OR I.e. "no, turning in the homework… >>>

Hello Everyone, I remember "way back", when I was taking my first undergraduate classes and how I thought how easy professors had it. All they had to do is sit back, "act" like they were grading papers, and just enjoying the good life. Needless to say, I have learned how utterly wrong my thinking was. I view each class as a new practice, a new chapter in life. The more I go over the material, the more effort I put into that days class plan, the better my presentation will be. I am not teaching to sit back and enjoy… >>>