I agree with the previous comments on Gen Y and technology use, and would also add: while it is important to acknowledge the Gen Y interraction with technology and their use of personal electronic devices as a larger part of their life than previous generations, if we are educators we need to help Gen Y understand that technology is a tool and not a substitute for thinking. As educators, we can't be cynical, and we too must put efforts into using technology to help our students. However, often I see Gen Y putting too much reliance on personal electronics, or using… >>>

I'm looking for key phrases or appropriate wording to use when an emotional "bomb goes off" in the classromm/lab environment. During the lesson, de-escalation and moving toward a resolution are mentioned, and obviously tact and respect must be coupled quickly and effectively with control as a "peacemaker" but also as the role model for the class. Tempers and explosive situations aren't the norm, but what are some phrases or good word choices you recommend to diffuse such a scenario? Thank you for your feedback [ John ]

All of the previous comments have some merit, and it's good to get different viewpoints. One factor to consider is that all students have different learning styles.

  Just as the traditional "sage on the stage" method doesn't work well for some students who learn more effectively through application, interaction,etc, there are also students who don't perform well in groups [ for a number of reasons ].

My first thought matched E. Wunderli's as well. However, I made a conscious effort to try it during this past week while relaying a lesson. At first, I felt very un-natural as steeple-ing isn't something I've ever done. I felt awkward as I steepled, then paused for effect. I didn't see any puzzled or comical looks on my student's faces, but I suppose it will take some getting used to.

In keeping with the career college relevance,I find that one of the single biggest motivators is the not hold back your passion of the subject and letting the students know it's safe to do so too. Most students are attending school with goals&desires, but over time--and with life's anxieties never stopping--students and instructors can get in a rut. Fanning the flames of why they first wanted to attend the school has helped the students, but also comes full circle to keep me motivated. Even when I feel tired, I'll try to let my passion for what I am teaching--and what… >>>

I am really enjoying this topic, it brings out a lot of traits that many of us [ all these generations ] can be proud of, as well as areas we can improve on. That being said, I feel very strongly that "multi-tasking" is a double-edged sword. Gen Y as well as others tend to pride themselves on this ability. In the tech school I currently teach, the industry I worked in for 20 years, and in doing most tasks of any importance, I find multi-tasking as a bad thing. WHAT GOOD IS THE ABILITY TO DO MANY THINGS AT… >>>

Typically, an angry student situation hasn't happened in that very instant. As the course brought out, there are a multitude of other factors outside of the classroom that start the anger/stress beforehand [ affecting all of us, not just students ]. "That one thing" in class can detonate the powder keg of internalized anger/anxiety/stress all at once.In the moment, maybe that "last straw" is what is focused on [ and all we see ], but in actuality that's not the root problem. That's where--when possible--it is good to listen. Hopefully, the angry student will see the respectful concern from the… >>>

I really enjoyed this lesson, as it highlighted flaws [that I expected it to] in my own methods. I am thinking over some of the questions I currently ask in "closed form", and planning on how to change more into "open form". However, there's one thing that I think needs to be in place in any classroom to enable more of the improved "open questions/probing/praise, etc" to be applied: a "SAFE" classroom environment. By that I mean the students need to know it's ok to not be 100% correct, and that they can have an opinion without being chastized for… >>>