Patricia Scales

About me

I've been a career educator for over 20 years. I currently serve as the Academic Coordinator for Brookstone College of Business and continue to be active in the classroom as a Business Instructor. My motto is "A student doesn't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." I was honored to receive the Career College Association National Teacher of the Year award in 2001. I just love teaching!

Activity

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Unfocused Students

Hi Glenda, I teach classes with a mixture of ages as well. You are right, the younger students seem to be more challening. The younger students are just not as serious. At times, I have a private conversation with my most challenging students to give them pointers as to how and why they should become more focused. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Challenging Students

Hi Laurie, If the class is fast paced, students feel as though they MUST attend, otherwise they will be lost when they return. I have tried the team approach in four hour classes and funny how time flies when students are having fun. I've had students to say, "It's time to go already." Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Getting Students Interested and Involved in Course Content

He Glenda, Honesty is the best policy, there is no need to sugar coat anything. You are doing the right thing by telling the students exactly how it is in the workplace. PowerPoint is such an effective tool to use during lecture. Students like it when they can see what is being taught. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Unfocused Students

Hi Ilene, I've reminded many students recently coming from high school that they are in college now, and things are going to be more challenging and less hand-holding will be done. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Unfocused Students

Hello Laura, I like your incentives. At my institution, we have a strict attendance policy. If a student has more than 8 hours of missed time in a class due to tardies and/or absences, the student will be withdrawn from the course. A tardy counts as 1 hour of missed time, and an absence counts as 2 hours of missed time. If at the end of the grading period, a student has perfect attendance and an "A" average, the student will be exempt from the final exam. Students really strive hard not to be absent or tardy, and they work… >>>

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Getting Students Interested and Involved in Course Content

Hi Laurie, I try from all directions to encourage my students and to instill in them that they can and will succeed. I have had students to tell me that I have more faith in them than they have in themselves. There are many mini projects that we do in my professional development class that allow students to increase their confidence level, such as developing a portfolio all about them, professional dress every thursday, comments from me about their professionalism, etc. I too treat the classroom as the students' future work sites. Everything in my class is related to the… >>>

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Challenging Students

Hi Karen, I like your methodology! How clever it is to find out from students the areas they have problems with and the areas they are excited about learning. These findings can certainly allow you to tailor your lessons plans. One of my favorite mottos, "A student doesn't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Adult learners love a caring attitude too. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Unfocused Students

Hi Tim, As an educator, we should always come up with methods for out students so that they will know how the real world operates. In this particular career it is fabulous to make it known to the students, if they don't work together, they will be fired together. Pressure should be beared on the slacker because it is never fair to those who are pulling their weight. I like the tatic you use to determine the real dynamics of the group. I can see how you find that to be fascinating. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Common Instructor Mistakes

Hello Anne, The things you are striving for should be what all instructors should strive for--WAY TO GO!!! A student picks up immediately when you are unprepared. Also, it is always good to "fess up" when you mess up. We are instructors, and we are far from being perferct. When I don't know an answer, I simply say I don't know, but I will find out, and the next day before I begin the lesson, I give the response to the question I was unable to answer previously. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Challenging Students

Hello Anne, Your first day presence and presentation are extremely important. The first day, the instructor should demonstrate warmth, friendliness, caring, etc., and the instructor should also make it known in a very subtle, yet friendly manner that he or she will not tolerate any drama. In addition, the instructor should let the student know he or she will do everything to help them succeed. Always, end the day with a positive upbeat ending. Patricia

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