About me

I am a Medical graduate with a Masters in Public Health. I realized very early in my profession that I enjoyed teaching and have been doing so for over 12 years. I started part time because of my young kids and the last 4 years I have been teaching full time.

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Marie Furtado

Blog

I just completed my 3rd course ED 104 and I enoyed it. These courses have given me a deeper insight and brought to light some relevant facts that will definitely help me to improve my teaching strategies.

I just completed my 2nd course ED 103. I did enjoy going through the material and realized that I am enjoying being an instructor and would like to continue to empower my students with knowledge that they can successfully use in their field.

Marie Furtado

Discussion Comment

Creating a positive learning environment

I think it is essential on the first day to create a very positive environment. I explain to the student what is required from them to succeed in the class and how we can work together to attain that goal. Offering extra help outside the classroom thus help them get more comfortable and be better prepared.

Marie Furtado

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Maintaining a professional image

I feel as an instructor you should be professional starting with how you dress to what you share with the students. To me my students are not my friends, and there is a limit as to what I say to them during and after the class hours. Respect is what you will earn and it all depends on how you as an instructor behaves. Be fair and make sure you give the students all that they need to succeed and that is what they are in school for. There are times you may need to listen to some of their… >>>

Marie Furtado

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Reducing student complaints and challenges

You should distribute a clear syllabi that lists all that the students need to do to be able to pass the class. Make it very clear to the students that you will be available for any extra help they need outside the class room as long as they complete their share of responsibilities. I make sure that I am always ready with the power points, assignments, tests that need to be distributed to the students, so be organized and not give the students a reason to complain. If there is any complain try to take care of it as soon… >>>

Marie Furtado

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Reducing student cheating

I make several version of tests, students seating close by do not get the same version of the test. I also try to move them if they are close to one another by stating that I want them to be comfortable and have enough space between them to stretch out if need be without elbowing each other.

Marie Furtado

Discussion Comment

Following up with student assignment.

My syllabus clearly lists the day the assignment is due. I make it very clear to the students that I do not accept late assignment, but I would willingly accept early assignment. I also put all this in their syllabi. I take assignments as part of their participation, so the student has to be present to get the assignment/participation points. Since I have made these changes I have noticed that the student attendance has gone up. I do explain to them the reason why I have attached assignment with participation and that is if they are present for the lecture… >>>

Marie Furtado

Discussion Comment

Capturing student attention

I like to constantly ask questions as I lecture on the topic covered previously. I will frequently give the student who gives me the right answer 1 to 2 bonus points which are added to their next quiz. They have to raise their hand if they know the answer. I notice that the students are very attentive and ready for the question and be the first to raise their hand.

Marie Furtado

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Making course requirements clear to the students.

A well developed syllabus helps solve this problem. The students should have in writing all that will be covered in the course and how it will be covered.

Marie Furtado

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Showing examples of past students work.

I often show my students work done by past students, this gives them a better idea of what is requird of them.

Marie Furtado

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Selecting content

I thing frequent testing on smaller amount of material that was covered in the previous lecture does make the student retain more as they hear the lectue and then they study this material for the upcoming test and get assessed on it, before I go to new material. They do have a midterm and final exam which is more comprehensive. By then they are more confident since they have been studying the information a little at time.

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