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 Challenging Students

Hi Hildie, I like the idea of teaching using the table circular method. Adult students really do feel equal when using this method. Everyone one feels apart of the team. The students tend to open up more as well when the circular table method is used. My professors used this method a lot when I was in grad school, and I loved it as a student. It makes teaching really seem more adult like. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Common Instructor Mistakes

Hi Hildie, It is always smart to plan ahead. Students can quickly determine when an instructor is just winging things. An instructor can lose credibility when he or she does not plan properly. Even the most knowledgeable instructor needs to plan accordingly. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Unfocused Students

Hi Judy, You are not helping this student any. In the professional work world, she will have deadlines, and if she does not meet those deadlines, she will be reprimanded. You need to establish some class rules and print the rules on your syllabus. Do not tolerate this type of treatment from students. Students will do what they are allowed. You are allowing the late assignments. I am very strict when it comes to late assigments. I take off 10 points off the bat if the assignment is late. I also have a very strict late policy for tests and… >>>

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Unfocused Students

Hi Vonia, I like that tatic. What a way to open an unfocused student's eyes. I have instructors that have tried a similar tatic as well. The tatic seems to work. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Common Instructor Mistakes

Hello Vonia, It is vitally important to always stick to what you've said. Once you give in to what you've said you have lost credibility. Having things documented on the syllabus is a fabulous idea; I follow this tatic as well because you can always refer to the syllabus. The syllabus is a great lifesaver whenever students pretend they did not know. I too treat all students the same. Students have more respect for you as an instructor when you're fair. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Common Instructor Mistakes

Hello Linda, I am certainly not an accounting guru, but I have 19 years of teaching experience in the computer/typing areas. I too work through various concepts before my presentations even after doing them for 19 years. It is nothing like the feeling of being ready and prepared. I am a big PowerPoint fan as well. My students love the various PowerPoint presentations pertaining to the different subject matters. PowerPoint is definitely a great time saver, and as you mentioned, the time that is saved can be used to help students. My students have gotten use to this helpful teaching… >>>

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Unfocused Students

Hello Karla, It is imperative to make sure you keep your students interested in the subject matter. Whenever interest is lost, a student may possibly withdraw from school. As insructors, we have to be the best salespeople in the building to keep the students coming back every day. As instructors, we do experience an assortment of learning abilities, therefore it is important to know each of your student so that you can spark their interest. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Challenging Students

Hello Linda, I tend to use acceleratd learning techniques for students. Ex. In my computer classes, I find the most computer savy students in the class, and I make them captains of group projects based on what I have lectured on without any help from me. Some of my instructors allow the students to present chapters in different courses where the most intelligent student serves as the leader. Some of my math instructors will allow a very sharp math student to explain concepts from a different perspective. Accelerated learning techniques can be made up as you teach. I always make… >>>

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Common Instructor Mistakes

Hi Linda, There is no substitution for being prepared. What are some methods, techniques, strategies, etc. that you tend to use to make sure you are prepared? How does it affect the overall classroom when you are prepared or unprepared? Have you experience being uprepared? Please elaborate on your responses. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Unfocused Students

Hello Steve, I too have experienced those students who think they know it all as being very challenging. I use alot of the tatics that you use with these type of students. I always give these students added responsibilities. In addition, I tend to pair an inexprience student in the area with one of the challenging students so that the challenging student can act as a mentor for the inexperience student. I've seen when the challenging student does not do extremely well on an assignment, project, test, etc. this tends to humble the student quite a bit. I've learned with… >>>

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