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

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Showing relevancy of course content

Hi Michelle, We need to show our students that we can break the material down to a level where they can understand it. Students love and enjoy hearing applicable stories to the lesson. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Managing angry students

Hi Lorraine, Listening is key! Sometimes angry students simply need to fully vent. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Capturing student attention

Hi Jodi, Asking students questions is a good way to help them stay focused or to regain their focus. When students are called upon they really want to answer correctly. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Getting students excited about course content

Hi Jon, When a class helps prepare students for national/regional board examinations, I like to bring in graduate guest speakers that have had success passing the examination to help generate excitement. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Identifying challenging students

Hi Alan, More and More schools are allowing students to use cell phones in the classroom because the cell phone acts a great resource. Many students have smart phones where they can utilize the internet. I have also known students to take notes utilizing their cell phones. Many students like to put their homework in their calendar as well. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Identifying challenging students

Hi Mark, You may want to make it a practice that late assignments are only taken in extenuating circumstances with appropriate documentation. You can decide on the extenuating circumstances, such as death, hospitalization, car accident, home burned down, etc. Make sure to mention this policy on Day 1 and include it on your class syllabus. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Avoiding common instructor mistakes

Hi Anna, As instructors we have to evaluate our own teaching. Keep those things that work really well and toss or tweak those things that did not work well. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Critical Thinking Activities

Hi LaMonica, We have to make learning very practical. Students love real scenario-based teaching. Knowledge tends to stick when we make learning practical. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Creating a positive instructor image

Hi Christopher, Super way to model! You have to let your students know that you do not play, but you are consistent with all with rules, policies, and procedures. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Getting buy in from students

Hi John, Good job based ont the way you get buy in from students. I like to make the theory applicable to the workplace to gain buy in from students. Students need to know that what they are learning will be applied in the workforce. Patricia

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