Marc Mullin

Discussion Comment

Technology being a downfall in a classroom setting

see if your IT person at the school can put a block on websites. Also, refer to their student handbook or code of conduct and see if there is something about cell phone usage in a classroom. If nothing is mentioned in either of the two, change your syllabus around so that it will show future classes there will be points taken off since they are not participating. Good luck.

Marc Mullin

Discussion Comment

Giving a test in a full classroom

I have found that having numerous versions of tests takes care of this problem. It is more work for us as Instructor's, but it is more beneficial to the student's and much easier to clarify and have concrete evidence if a student is actually cheating.

Marc Mullin

Discussion Comment

Technology being a downfall in a classroom setting

In my classroom, every student has a laptop. Now a days, they also have smart phones which have internet access. During my lectures, and anytime I am speaking I have them all close their laptops and leave their phones in their bookbags. Walking through the school one day I peaked through the window of another intructors room and saw that he was lecturing and all of the laptops were open to Facebook, Yahoo, whatever. During lunch, I took him to the side to tell him this, and he was surprised to hear about it. He made a point to have… >>>

Marc Mullin

Discussion Comment

Motivating students in the morning that work the night shift.

Starting my class at 8 a.m. makes it difficult to sometimes get the students involved and motivated to start learning. One thing I like to do is to get them laughing a bit. I find that this helps wake them up a bit and tends to get them focused on what I will say next. I do not embarass them by any means, but I like to get everyone involved in some way or some how.