John O'Toole

I sometimes feel in a losing position when it comes to empathy in a student/faculty relationship. I certainly unerstand that we as individual and family participants have several demands on our time. However, I seem to have a hard time discerning what is the truth and what is a lame excuse. I try to set the ground work on day one when it comes to attendance policies and explain I understand there may be reasons for student absences and that I understand. However, I believe that this sets a dangereous precendence and gives them the ammunition for missing class. I… >>>

I believe strongly that it is important to solicit student feed back at the end of a class. While i beleve most schools solicit instructor reviews and class reviews, I try to solicit student feed back on a more class content level. I ask them to evaluate what they have learned and what the may have wished to learn. I also ask them to offer suggestions so that, I may perhaps make the class more interesting, informative, and interactive. I know this feed back makes the student feel empowered. I bleive it also makes them feel like they are involved… >>>