Discussion Comment

I have the problem of having a former six week class split in to 2 three week classes with no consideration of the instruction. The class and course was designed to be taught as straight six weeks. Now with students entering every 3 weeks into a new class, the introduction must be redone and this leads to the continuing students seeing the same thing over again. Topics have to have clear stopping timesto meet the requirements of the departing students and we cannot start the next phase until the next class has started.

James Carter, IV

Discussion Comment

Failure is always an option.

I try to show all students that at the moment they are having troubles or doubts, that this is only because they are new at what they are attempting. I try to explain that I have done this, "once or twice", and that they are just getting started. But I try to finish with a comment on experiance and its out come. I usually follow up with Thomas Edison and the light bulb.(If the student knows who he is)Edison found over 1000 ways not to make a light bulb before he and his team got it right. You got to… >>>

James Carter, IV

Discussion Comment

Student fears

Recently some students expressed fears about the market after a major manufacturer announced that they would be cutting back and laying off corprate employees. I had to stand and give a brief synopsis of what can happen in times like these. I said yes the market would shrink for new but those who held on the product were more likely to maintain the items they had because they want to keep them them longer. On the other hand the shops who were doing poor work or had no customer loyilty would be shaken out. THe good shops would still be… >>>

James Carter, IV

Discussion Comment

Student fears

I recently had to deal with student fears as this economy drops. The manufacturer of the product they are learning to work on had cut production by a large percentage. I had to reassure them that the good shops will still be good shops and that instead of buying new more people will hold on to the old and maintain it. Yes some condensing of busnesses would occur, but the good shops will still be there. The students responded positively and I felt that I allayed thier fears.