About me

I have been in the newspaper industry for over 25 years. I started as a photographer then went into management as photo editor.

In 1999, I received the opportunity to move to online. With support from my boss and co-worker, I learned a great deal about technology. With the support of my very young staff, I learned about programming. From both, I learned about trying things I have never tried before.

In 2005 I moved to San Antonio and worked for mySanAntonio.com, a collaborative effort between the Express-News and KENS5 TV. I edited copy, created content and built pages.

Recently I went to the insurance company USAA and work in digital publishing.

Interests

computer, programming, genealogy

Skills

web based applications using coldfusion, php, mysql, jquery along with working on web servers using iis and apache

Activity

Michael Howell

Discussion Comment

Students without prerequisite skills for class

I have been working hard to get these students to push themselves to catch up. I have given them resources and offered tutoring to help them catch up. I think flunking them will only discourage them from trying to learn. I think that if they are unwilling to take the time to catch up, then helping them realize that this class is not for them is best. I also am planning on having a discussion with my academic dean. I think that the prerequisite classes these students are taking do not prepare them for the advance classes they are taking.… >>>

Michael Howell

Discussion Comment

Motivating those who are behing

One challenge I have is working with students that have not been exposed to the prerequisites of a class I am teaching. I can not stop the class to help them catch up because that will only diminish the experience for students prepared for the class.

I have been working with students that are not prepared, providing them opportunities for tutoring and giving them websites I feel will help them catch up.

It is still a challenge to get some students to push themselves to catch up to the point they need to be at.

What are your thoughts on… >>>

Michael Howell

Blog

Allowing advance students to explore while helping others to acheive

I have been teaching various technology classes for over 10 years. I usually get at least one student if not more that have a great deal of experience in what I am teaching while I will have a class full of students being introduced to concepts for the first time.

What I have found useful is to encourage the more advance students to pay attention as they may learn something from my professional experience that they may not have been exposed to. I also encourage them to set up their class and final project to explore new concepts in programming… >>>

Michael Howell

File

First day of class Power Point

This is an example of the intro into a class I am teaching on Content Managment Systems. The class is a introduction on how CMS's work but uses WordPress as an example.

Michael Howell

Bookmark

W3C Schools

Excllent resource for students to catch up on areas they may need work on in development classes

Michael Howell

Blog Comment

ED 101

I agree, this was a great tool for my current class and future classes

Michael Howell

Blog Comment

EL108 - Excellent Course

I am better prepared for teaching my next course. It has also helped me regroup to help my current students.

Coming from a family of educators, I have never believed that those who can do and those who can't teach. This course documents the need for instructors from a non-academic background to learn a new skill - teaching.

Michael Howell

Discussion Comment

Students without prerequisite skills for class

I think checking into a tutorial system will help the students. Mine won't be the last class they will need these skills in and they will need them in the workplace. Thanks

Michael Howell

Discussion Comment

Students without prerequisite skills for class

I have a class with half the students at various levels of competency. They lack the basic skills needed for my class. How do I deal with this knowledge gap?

Michael Howell

Discussion

Motivating those who are behing

I have been working with students that are not prepared, providing them opportunities for tutoring and giving them websites I feel will help them catch up.

It is still a challenge to get some students to push themselves to catch up to the point they need to be at.

What are your thoughts on… >>>

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