Patricia Scales

Hello John, There is nothing like freedom. Freedom can make you are break you in college. It is a task trying to keep these party animals serious about college. Patricia

Hi Benson, Having a memory of an elephant in education is extremely important. You are right, you must remember what worked and what did not work. I have been teaching for 19 years, and I have NEVER taught the same course the same way twice, simply because each class is different (personalities). Experience is no doubt the best teacher! Patricia

Hello Jennifer, I stress the same concept in my class, "organization. I make it known to my students, if you want to get an "A", you must be extremely organized. Oganization is a trickle down effect from the instructor to the student. We as educators must be organized as well. Patricia

Hi Jennifer, What an awesome activity, "Share Your Thoughts" it is kind of like a suggestion box. Students love it when their opionions, ideas, suggestions, recommendations, etc. are taken into consideration. We can learn a lot from our students, just as our students can learn from us. Patricia

Hi Cynthia, It is just something about walking around the class during lecture or nonlecture. Walking around the class has always worked for educators. Walking around the class lets the students know the instructor is in full control, and things are being monitored. Humor is a good teaching technique as well. Patricia

Hi Don, You have it! I have been training new instructors for years, and they always want to make it known they are new. Being a new instructor will not cause the student to have any leniency, if any thing, telling the students they are new, causes more of a problem because the students will begin immediately to look for deficiencies. Telling the students they are new causes more harm than good. Patricia

Hi Don, Students get so excited whenever an instructor can show them something. It really is like seeing is believing. Patricia

Hello Rachel, Imagine that, students not wanting to take responsibility for their grades. You are absolutely correct, it is always someone else's fault, except their own. I have a few of those students too; they are a challenge. Patricia

Hi Rachel, I am a firm believer that "Experience is the best teacher." Students enjoy hearing your stories/experiences relative to the course content. Patricia

Hello Teresita, I too have experienced some of my more challenging students to be from the baby boomers generation. They are simply horrified of the computer. I think the advice/talk you give to these student is excellent. Using yourself as an example helps to motivate the students. Patricia