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Ask a question from your peers to help you in your professional work. Seek different points of view on a topic that interests you. Start a thought-provoking conversation about a hot, current topic. Encourage your peers to join you in the discussion, and feel free to facilitate the discussion. As a community of educators, all members of the Career Ed Lounge are empowered to act as a discussion facilitator to help us all learn from each other.

Handling stressors

I guess I am very lucky to have my husband, my family, friends and religious people that I can vent on. These people gives me so much support. Just listening to me is a big help. They alos know how to make me smile and laugh and pretty soon forget about my problems. My husband and I like to go for walks and also do some exercises. These helps both of us unwind because even he has stress at work too. Getting enough sleep is my number priority. I tell my friends I would rather sleep than eat sometimes. Sometimes learning to avoid the stresses in life is helpful. Getting religious advises also helps.

Causes of Stress at the Workplace

There is a lot of things that could create stress or even add more stress to a stressful situation. Traffic, powerpoint machine not working, copies of test not ready, intranet slow in opening, students not calling (no show - no call), computers in the classroom not all working, and on and on. How do I reduce or eliminate some of the stresses in my daily life? First, I try to wake up 2 hours before I go to work so that gives me an extra 30 minutes to settle down when I get to work. Regarding copies not being available the day of the exam, I make sure I check the day before that I have enough copies for my class. Student no show - no call problem, I tried to eliminate that by writing on the board my extension number and making sure they keep it in their cell phones. I tell them as they would be required by their work to call before the start of the day, I am requiring them to call me also to infomr me if they will be late or absent. This way, I eliminate the job of calling hte student if they do not call. With regards powerpoint machines, I e-mail lectures to the students weeks in advance so if the powerpoint does not work, I can still lecture.

STREAMLINING LECTURE PREPARATION

I have 4 modules that I teach. They rotate from 140, 150, 160, to 170. When it is time to do the 140 again I make sure to read the notes again and also do research on what might be new in the world out there. I always do this so I do not only keep myself current but I also make sure the students get the latest updates with regards that midule. Also, if there is another instructor who will be able to give me more information I make sure I discuss with her whether it is the theory part or actually her sharing materials with me so I can show it to the class.

Dealing with Challenging Students

it's very hard dealing with students who constantly are asking questions (not always relevant), or questioning your knowledge or material. I feel that letting them have their moment in the spotlight helps… ask them to explain to the class what something means… "please enlighten us… what does X mean?"

Procrastination

I know some people loves to procrastinates. I am so glad I am not one of them. Especially when I am in class. Students can sense if you are prepared or not. The day before I usually will look at the next day's schedule so I will have all the materials I will need for the class next day. I like using gadgets or sample tools to make my class interesting so I make it a point I have everything ready the day before. Also, if there will be a quiz or test the next day, it is good to know so I am able to remind the students to study for the test the next day. The same thing if there is a homework due the next day, I am able to remind them what is expected from them the next day.

setting the stage for success

place the student into a "fictional" career position, explain to them how they might feel in this position, what their responsibilities are, and highlight how the skills they are about to learn will be used in the chosen field.

Traits of Successful Instructors

In your opinion, what instructor traits and characteristics are important for good classroom management?

Traits of Successful Instructors

In your opinion, what instructor traits and characteristics are important for good classroom management?

Improving Classroom Management

What have you done in the past to improve your classroom management? What further improvements can you make to enhance your classroom management style?

Small Groups

Do you utilize small group activities in your classrooms? If so, please share any challenges you have experienced and your ideas for effectively managing the groups.

Classroom Discipline

Please share experiences you've had with classroom discipline situations including ways you have handled them and what, if anything, you would do differently if facing a similar situation again.

School Discipline

Please share your suggestions for improving school discipline. Take the ideas to your administrators for their review and feedback.

Removing a student from your class

When I was reading the section on removing a student from your class it reminded me of the following incident; On December 1, 2005 at approximately 11:55 AM I was about to start my ARB121 Radio Broadcast Advertising Sales class when student X walked in wearing a t-shirt that depicted a smile face with a cat’s tail hanging from the mouth the caption under the cartoon read “I eat pussy”. I quietly asked Mr. X to either turn his shirt inside-out , wear his jacket to cover the shirt or leave. He respectfully replied that he was not going to do any of those things and that he was exercising his First Amendment rights. I explained that if this was the University of Minnesota or a public school he would have a stronger argument but, that he was on private property and would have to follow one of my requests. He refused. Instructor Y is cross-training in my class. I quietly explained to him that a student was being insubordinate would he please go get security. Mr. Y got security and the guard asked Mr. X to leave. Again, Mr. X refused; the guard explained that the police would be called. Mr. X acknowledged this outcome. At approximately 12:30 the police arrived and escorted Mr. X from the classroom. All parties involved remained calm throughout the incident. Before class was dismissed I explained that everyone in the room, including Mr. Y and me, had signed the policy recognizing that our schooo has zero tolerance for harassment. I went on to tell them as their instructor it is my responsibility to enforce that policy. Fortunately that was the first and last time that I had to do that

Dealing with students that want to control the class

When you have students that want control you have to give them projects they can do to help out in class so they feel important.Then they don't distract the other students.

Relieving Workplace Stress

With all of the information regarding the benefits of workplace massage, such as increased alertness, increased staff morale and dedication to the job, decreased absences and decreased health insurance costs, among other things, I often wonder why the administration doesn't offer this more. It only takes 10-15 minutes and can be done before or after class or during breaks. As instructors, maybe we should approach the administration about this more.

Knowledge of the Courses Taught

It is important to explain your skills and experience to students so that they will be confident in you teaching them. It also, gives them a future outlook on what is available to them.

Addressing Cheating Students

It is important to address the issue of cheating at the beginning of class to set the expectation of the consequences.

Student's Who Lack Attention

Many of our younger students tend to spend more time outside of class or doing things that do not pertain to the class. It is important to recognize these students and talk to them about what they need to have their full attention.

Different Learning Styles

As an instructor, it is up to us to recognize that each and every student may have a different learning style. It is our responsibility to teach using styles that can reach the full audience in order for our students to succeed.

Plagiarism a Student Problem or an Institutional Problem?

In online class before students even start - I think there should be a required course that deals with the issue of APA style and plagiarism. At a F to F I teach at there is a course that starting students take on APA style and plagiarism by the time students get to my class they have no problems with APA style and plagiarism. At another College that I teach students have no clue and I am constantly faced with plagiarism. Is this the lack of the student disconnecting from true information literacy or is it the lack of training on the part of the institution?