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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Avoiding common instructor mistakes

Hi Wardell, As long as you learn from a mistake, a mistake is not a bad thing. Use each mistake as a lesson taught. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Capturing student attention

Hi Leann, As long as the conversation topic is applicable to the lecture, I strongly encourage these type of topics. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Reducing student cheating

Hi Pauline, These strategies work nicely. I simply let my students know that they are being watched; this is a simple tactic to minimize cheating. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Maintaining a professional image

Hi Terry, Students need all the support from us that they can get, yet making them realize the importance of independence. It sounds contractdictory, but it can be done. It is very similar to parenting... Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Reducing student complaints and challenges

Hi Guy, I really like how you give an additional deadline sheet during the second week once everything has calmed down, and the students are not so overwhelmed of hearing all the different rules, policies, procedures, deadlines, expectations, etc. on the first day. I am sure this additional sheet has helped so many students remember. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Using guest speakers as resources

Hi Catherine, Guest speakers are simply awesome. Students get great excitement from having a guest speaker. Guest speakers can really validate classroom theory. Patricai

Patricia Scales

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Making course requirements clear for students

Hi Edwin, I certainly understand your perspective about not giving reminders. In the real world your boss is not going to constantly remind you of a deadline. If you do not meet expectations, simply put, you are out of there. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Getting students excited about course content

Hi Lisa, Students need and want variation in teaching methods. Students look forward to the mixture of different ways to learn a concept(s). Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Making course requirements clear for students

Hi Shannon, I also like the idea of a PowerPoint presentation for this purpose because it really sticks home to the visual learners. Patricia

Patricia Scales

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Showing examples of student work

Hi Susan, I have found that sharing examples with students motivates them to get started, builds great self-confidence, and eases fear. It is definitely a win-win situation. Patricia

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